Lynn C. Woolsey: “8 months ago standing outside this dome, the President of the United States spoke these words as he was sworn in for a…”

“8 months ago standing outside this dome, the President of the United States spoke these words as he was sworn in for a second term: ``We will persistently clarify the choice before every ruler and every nation, the moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom which is eternally right. All who live in tyranny and hopelessness can know the United States will not ignore your oppression or excuse your oppressors.'' Beautiful words, honorable sentiments, if only the Bush administration were conducting this war in Iraq in a way that actually reflects those values. Last week, Human Rights Watch released a report that details once again how Iraqi war prisoners were subjected to acts of sadistic cruelty at the hands of their supposed liberators. This time it was at Forward Operating Base Mercury, where beatings and other forms of humiliation took place on a daily basis for several months. Often, this was not even about interrogation or securing some vital piece of national security. ``In a way, it was sport,'' said one sergeant in the 82nd Airborne, a way to ``work out your frustration.'' {time} 1800 What is perhaps most tragic is that our soldiers who have committed these acts are themselves victims as well, victimized by their incompetent and amoral superiors who give a wink and a nod to torture and then blame it on a few bad apples.…”