MORE COME FORWARD? It’s amazing what one man’s courage can do. The NYT <a href = http

//www.nytimes.com/2005/10/05/international/middleeast/05abuse.html target = _blank>today reports that more decent servicemembers are coming forward to testify to abuse orchestrated and condoned by their superiors. McCain is more impressed with Fishback’s integrity: “I’m even more impressed by what a fine and honorable officer he is.” I am reminded of the now famous remarks from Robert F. Kennedy:

Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality of those who seek to change a world which yields most painfully to change. Aristotle tells us that “At the Olympic games it is not the finest and the strongest men who are crowned, but they who enter the lists…. So too in the life of the honorable and the good it is they who act rightly who win the prize.” I believe that in this generation those with the courage to enter the moral conflict will find themselves with companions in every corner of the world.

In the next generation, we have found a new integrity. And with luck and perseverance from good, unimpeachable men like Senators Warner, McCain, Graham and Levin, these new heroes will restore the honor of this country.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY: “What you allowed to happen happened. Trends were accepted. Leadership failed to provide clear guidance so we just developed it. They wanted intel. As long as no PUCs [Persons Under Control, i.e. Geneva-protected detainees] came up dead it happened. We heard rumors of PUCs dying so we were careful. We kept it to broken arms and legs and shit. If a leg was broken you call the PA x96 the physician’s assistant x96 and told him the PUC got hurt when he was taken. He would get Motrin [a pain reliever] and maybe a sling, but no cast or medical treatment…” – sergeant A, on what went on (and he believes is still going on) at Camp Mercury in Iraq. Greg Djerejian demands an answer to a simple question: “Please name me the officers have have been criminally charged (no not administrative discipline, letters of reprimand, demotions, fines). No, not even Karpinski and Pappas.” But if they start charging the officers who allowed this, they will have to ask who told the officers it was ok, and if they do that … well, you can see what’s going on. This goes all the way to Bush. And the president wants it to stay at Lynndie England. Only more Fishbacks can call the bluff of these people. And only McCain can force them to return to decency. Update: Wes Clark is getting on board.