Russ Feingold: “I share the sense of outrage and disgust that has been expressed by so many Americans since the allegations and…”

“I share the sense of outrage and disgust that has been expressed by so many Americans since the allegations and horrifying pictures of deeply troubling abuses at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq have come to light. I am particularly sickened by the damage that has been done to the brave men and women of the United States military. The depraved acts of a few risk tarnishing the reputation of hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women who behave honorably every day, even in extraordinarily difficult circumstances. These acts also put our troops at risk, by casting them in the role of abusers, making it more difficult to gain the trust and cooperation of Iraqis. Anytime the Geneva Convention is violated, the framework of basic standards on which all military personnel and their families depend is weakened. I am also troubled by the irreparable damage done to American power. Our power does not come only from military might or economic muscle. We also derive power from what we stand for. Our commitment to basic human rights, to human dignity, and to the rule of law gives us power to persuade and to lead and to inspire. When this commitment is called into question, American power is diminished, and this is a terrible loss.”