Lee Terry: “like all of us in here, I am sickened by the images of our military abusing Iraqi prisoners. These actions are…”

“like all of us in here, I am sickened by the images of our military abusing Iraqi prisoners. These actions are deplorable in and of themselves, and it is even more so when we as an American society stand for justice and the protection of human rights. The abuse tears the very fabric of the values which make America great. This abuse not only degrades the prisoners and the Muslim culture, but ours as well. If these abuses sicken me and most Americans, think of the legitimate reaction of those in Iraq and the Middle East and the world. It should also trouble Americans that this terrible episode is being exploited by partisans who wish to make it an election-year issue. Republicans and Democrats should stand arm in arm condemning what occurred, apologizing for these abuses, and demonstrate the decent values for which America and we all stand. I appreciate the President going on Arab television yesterday to directly address the Arab people. It is a good first step. But more must be done to rehabilitate our benevolent reputation. We need to thoroughly investigate and make sure that those holes that allowed this to happen are plugged. America should stand for nothing less.”