Family fears for man who reported Iraqi Prisoner Abuse

How sad a commentary on this war and this country, that a man should fear for his life for doing the right thing


Family fears for man who reported Iraqi prisoner abuse

BY ELIZABETH WILLIAMSON

WASHINGTON POST


WINDBER, Pa. - When reports this week named Spc. Joseph Darby as the soldier who sounded the alarm on abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib Prison in Baghdad, his family was proud and anxious.

"The news has been using the word 'whistleblower,' which to me sounds like a bad thing," said Maxine Carroll, Darby's sister-in-law and the family's spokeswoman. "I'm sure he wrestled with himself and decided to take the high road.

"We're hoping they put him somewhere safe."

According to a report in this week's New Yorker, Darby, a reservist in the 372nd Military Police Company, placed an anonymous note under the door of a superior, describing incidents of sexual and physical abuse of Iraqi detainees by some members of the unit that, documented by hundreds of explicit photographs, have shocked the world. He later came forward with a sworn statement.

http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/8611184.htm

I think that the guy is physically safe if he has already told everything he knows.

Of course the Republican attack machine will tear his reputation up in small pieces and scatter them to the winds, but he probably knew that when he came forward. Maybe he and Richard Clarke can have coffee.

Their fear proves we have tyranny in our midst.

I do hope that he will get through this as a real American hero. Of course, I am not very optimistic about that at this time.

seriously messed up one day.

,...your little girl hugging her bunny gives me comfort every time I see your posts. Somehow, she brings me back to the basics.

he'd be sitting in the back of a big limo with people throwing flowers at him while ticker tape and streamers fell all around his head..

He's a Fucking HERO and there are few enough of those around anymore.

It boggles.the.mind to remember what happened to the rest of Jessica's unit. May we all surround Darby with an INVINCIBLE SPIRITUAL SUPPORT.

Look for Karl Rove to respond in the following way:

Darby,

a) like Bill Frist used to torture kittens
b) is a pedophile
c) is gay
d) is a John Kerry supporter
e) all of the above

That will really scare the masses. What have we come to?

However such is regrettably not usually the case. Truthtellers, rather than being honored are instead subjected to extreme jeopardy as yesterday's Sixty Minutes Interview with the chopper pilot who intervened to save civilians in the My Lai massacre showed. It was recounted how he was sent out afterwards on missions without normal aerial support that he had previously received.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/06/60minutes/main615997.shtml
It has only been decades later and after a Sixty Minutes expose that he was finally honored properly for his actions. It is a perverted form of moral reversia. Covering up is rewarded more than exhibiting the courage to stop atrocities.

Darby just did what he was supposed to do.

Gives you an idea where the country is at--the direct opposite of how this kid, although poor, was raised.

Bravo to Spc. Joseph Darby for doing the right thing and his family for standing by him.

"He didn't fit in with the whole crowd because he didn't have a lot of material things, fancy clothes or a car," said Reffner, 50. Darby's stepfather, who died several years ago, was a former Marine, neighbors say, who taught old-school manners to his son. He was "respectful, brought up the proper way," Reffner said.

Imperial Amerika, like other Totalitarian Nations before it, is not very forgiving to those who "blow the whistle".

He could be murdered by Busheviks acting alone or by the Bushevik Imperial Praetorian Guard (the SS, Poppy's private force of ex-CIA).

Either way, there is no question the man is in danger like the man who leaked the Wansee Protocol.

The government seems to be able to do this for many witnesses. Its called, "The Secret Witness Program" in some places.

I'd be afraid myself. :scared:

I hope he stays safe. He may seriously need to consider (along with his family) relocating at the expense of the U.S. government IMO.

and got barely any response before going to Gen. Hackworth. I saw a segment about it earlier today on MSRNC. They were clearly trying to say that the Democrats had no interest in this story just like the WH. Well guess what? Sending e-mails to reps in congress do not get you very far. I think this issue warranted a phone call at the least and a visit to congress critter's office for sure.

character and integrity.

Anathema to TPTB.

,...it's just not one awarded by the government.

He is indeed a Col. I have been typing General so much in the last week in regard to the torture scandal I didn't think twice about it. Sorry!

the congress people and got no response. I didn't think it was Darby. Darby's actions apparently got prompt action or am I mistaken in this?

In order to do what was RIGHT, he exposed himself to great personal danger, and for no certain reward.

He will probably continue to be in danger for the duration of the time he is overseas in this worthless conflict.

went through the same shit.

Powell, who helped cover it up, went on to be SOS.

Go figure.