May 2004A knighthood for the outsourcer“This award recognizes his [Gen Tommy Franks'] exceptional and inspiring leadership of British forces during operations both in Afghanistan and Iraq.” – British Defence Ministry spokesman. On the recommendation of a KBE for US general, Tommy Franks. 25 May 2004.
Invade Iraq to defend Minnesota“I sent American troops to Iraq to defend our security.” – George W Bush, US President. 24 May 2004.
US military logic (non-naive)“How many people go to the middle of the desert ... to hold a wedding 80 miles (130km) from the nearest civilization? These were more than two dozen military-age males. Let’s not be naive.” – Major General James Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division deployed in Iraq. Replying to charges the US military massacred a wedding party in remote Mukaradeeb in western Iraq (40 slaughtered, including the band). 20 May 2004.
The conscience of a stone“I have not seen the pictures but bad things happen in wars. I don’t have to apologize for the conduct of my men.” – Major General James Mattis, commander of the 1st Marine Division deployed in Iraq. When asked about TV footage of a child killed in the Mukaradeeb massacre. 20 May 2004.
Mine’s bigger“I knew that my God was bigger than his. I knew that my God was a real God and his was an idol.” – Gen William Boykin, Deputy Undersecretary of Defence for Intelligence. About his insight after losing 18 men while trying to capture a Somali warlord in the Black Hawk Down incident of 1993. Reported May 2004.
God’s no democrat“George Bush was not elected by a majority of the voters in the US. He was appointed by God.” – Gen William Boykin, Deputy Undersecretary of Defence for Intelligence. At an evangelical meeting in 2003. Reported May 2004.
Shooting, not aiming“No commander or soldier gave an order or got an order or deliberately aimed at civilians and we’re sorry that innocent civilians got hit. We don’t aim at Palestinian civilians.” – Lt Gen Moshe Yaalon, Israeli Army Chief. After eight Palestinians were killed during a demonstration protesting the demolition of Palestinian houses in Rafah. 19 May 2004.
His noble priorities“If these [more photographs and videos of torture known to exist] are released to the public, obviously, it is going to make matters worse.” – Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defence. Testifying before a US Senate committe about torture at Abu Ghraib. May 2004.
Outraged by the outrage“These prisoners, you know they’re not there for traffic violations. If they’re in cellblock 1-A or 1-B, these prisoners, they’re murderers, they’re terrorists, they’re insurgents. Many of them probably have American blood on their hands and here we’re so concerned about the treatment of those individuals.” – Sen James Inhofe (R–Oklahoma), Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. After Donald Rumsfeld’s testimony before the committee about the Abu Ghraib torture. May 2004.
Just having a good time“Exactly my point. This is no different than what happens at the Skull and Bones initiation and we’re going to ruin people’s lives over it and we’re going to hamper our military effort, and then we are going to really hammer them because they had a good time.” – Rush Limbaugh, US TV talk show host. Reacting to the exposure of US torture at Abu Ghraib. May 2004.
So sorry America looks bad!“I’m sorry for the humiliation suffered by the Iraqi prisoners and the humiliation suffered by their families... [I’m] equally sorry that people seeing these pictures didn’t understand the true nature and heart of America.” – George W Bush, US President. After photographs of American soldiers torturing soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq were published. May 2004.
No ugliness, please, we’re American“My impression is that what has been charged thus far is abuse, which I believe technically is different from torture. And therefore I’m not going to address the torture word.” – Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defence. When the word torture was used by a reporter at a press conference to describe what happened at Abu Ghraib. May 2004.
Stompin’ over the globe“The honourable men and women of the armed forces who are courageously and responsibly and professionally protecting our freedoms across the globe.” – Donald Rumsfeld, US Secretary of Defence. On America’s soldiers and their work. Reported in May 2004.
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