Leniency for Torturers

The so-called ringleader of the abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison has been released from prison, after serving just six-and-a half years of a ten-year sentence. Other participants in that torture and outrageous behavior had been released by now. True, the man will be dishonorably discharged and lose his military benefits, but, still, it's been a sweet deal, considering what he did. The fact of the matter is that, from the start, the U.S. was reluctant to punish these people. The only reason it did so was to placate the international outcry over the abuses. But, as soon as the hue and cry was over, they were let go, on account of "good behavior." The real reason, though, is that they were looking for an excuse to free these soldiers because, at bottom, the Army really believes that these "good ol' boys" don't deserve to be punished all that harshly for abusing that Iraqi "scum."

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