[lbo-talk] HRW calls for 9-11 style cover-up (?)

[Joseph Wanzala]

HRW's Reed Brody seems to be of the opinion that the 9-11 investigation was 
sound and like all 'good' progressives apparently has not paid attention to 
the critiques of the investigation  [ 
http://207.12.160.58/Alumni/Cal_Monthly/September_2004/How_to_fight_terrorism.asp 
] and the final report. I am sure Brody would like to see an honest 
investigation and report regarding the use of torture, but this reference to 
the 9-11 report as 'independent' and recommending a similar type of 
investigation suggests that Brody thinks the 9-11 report was sound and is an 
example of how groups like HRW and investigative reporters like Amy Goodman, 
by being selectively critical of the government/establishment, find 
themselves caught in these sorts of contradictions and appear to be calling 
for a 9-11 style whitewash. His suggestion that the stain of Abu Ghraib 
could be wiped away in 'one fell swoop' also seems a little extravagant and 
ignores the long history of US government use of torture - albeit through 
proxy goonsquads like the Savak etc.

- Joe W.

http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=05/04/25/1342206

REED BRODY: You know, we have called for a special prosecutor. I think there 
needs -- Americans are obviously upset by the pictures of Abu Ghraib, but I 
don't think there's yet a full appreciation that Abu Ghraib was only the tip 
of the iceberg. I don't think there's a full appreciation in the United 
States of how much damage this scandal has done to the United States' 
reputation. And if there was sufficient political will to appoint an 
independent investigation, like a 9/11-style investigation, or a special 
prosecutor, I think that all of this would come out, and the United States 
could wipe away the stain of Abu Ghraib in one fell swoop, in fact, by 
prosecuting all of the people who are responsible for this scandal.

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