The Rummy and Pace Show on Torture

by-Kevin Drum
Political Animal
November 30, 2005
the Washington Monthly.

Rumsfeld and Pace...via Tim Dunlop, Dana Milbank of the Washington Post reports on a recent exchange between Donald Rumsfeld and General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff--the subject was torture--

When UPI's Pam Hess asked about torture by Iraqi authorities, Rumsfeld replied that,

"OBVIOUSLY, THE UNITED STATES DOES NOT HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY other than to voice disapproval."

But Pace had a different view:
"It is the absolute responsibility of every US service member, if they see Inhumane treatment being conducted, to Intervene, to stop it,"

Rumsfeld Interjected:
"I don't think you mean they have an obligation to physically stop it, it's to report it."

But Pace meant what he said:
"If they are physically present when Inhumane treatment is taking place, sir they have an obligation to try to stop it," he said firmly.

This is why Abu Ghraib happened:
because people like Rumsfeld, who insisted on cutting corners, using clever circumlocutions in place of plain language, and refusing to take a firm stand on doing the right thing. Pace is having none of it, and good for him.

Source:
http://washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2005_11/007663.php

In a surprising event, General Pace, actually corrected Rumsfeld publicly over policy. Let's hope is job isn't in jeopardy.

the following is the video clip of the exchange that took place during the press conference:

titeled: "The Rummy and Pace Show"

http://movies.crooksandliars.com/pentagon_rumsfeld_pace_torture_051129a.wmv