Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

Film Summary Through startling interviews with perpetrators, witnesses and victims, GHOSTS OF ABU GHRAIB examines and contextualizes the abuses that occurred in the fall of 2003 at the notorious Iraqi prison abuses documented in photographs that are etched in our national consciousness. The film probes the psychology of how typical American men and women came to commit these atrocious acts and, on a parallel track, explores the policy decisions that eroded our compliance with the Geneva Conventions and contributed to making the abuse a reality. Ultimately, the film asks what these events say about America, our government, our military and our human nature.

HBO Films is currently presenting one of the nominated documentaries for a Grand Jury Prize at this years Sundance Festival: Ghosts of Abu Ghraib. This is a film that needs to be seen by every American. It is a stark lesson in what happens when we are led by individuals who have no respect for law and human rights.

Rory Kennedy's film is a masterpiece that demonstrated how and why America was shamed. It begins and ends with the lessons from the Milgram Experiment conducted in 1961. The actions of the guards at Abu Ghraib replicate the Stanford Prison Experiment of 1971. What is crucial is the fact that, as in the experiments, it has to be assumed that the soldiers were acting under higher authority. Part of the shame of what happened is that this higher authority escaped punishment for their crimes. This is, of course, the way of the world. The peons get the shaft while the higher authorities get medals and promotions.

A critical piece of evidence present might be missed: the techniques used at Abu Ghraib came from the Brazilian Military. These low-ranking soldiers would not have known of these measures. They had to be taught.

Again. all Americans need to see this excellent film to see what happens when authority is abused and law is ignored.

It is unfortunate that Americans are constantly being watched for the wrong and never credited for the right. This "documentary" disappoints me because it focuses on what some have termed harsh techniques while not highlighting the true conditions that existed.

Rumsfeld is made out to be a cold and heartless man who authorized certain "torture techniques." I am fortunate enough to have read a copy of the memo handed down from Mr. Rumsfeld and others. These techniques involved things such as forcing the detainees to eat MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), which is what our military eats on a regular basis, and adjusting the light so that the prisoners are only allowed 8 (yes 8) hours of sleep at a time. I do believe that our country should set an example, and I also believe that we have done so... in a good way for those of you who just rolled your eyes. We have set an example of strength, power and protection and that should continue. Unfortunately, there are many who live within our borders who are more concerned with what others think of them than their own safety. They apologize while their countrymen fight for their right to apologize.

I am not saying that I agree with everything that went on in the AG prison; however, I do believe that the military has proved its ability to deal with situations such as this without the help of the general public. I don't think it does America any good for our media to plaster pictures and videos of our soldiers' mistakes all over the news. Do we see other countries doing that? No! And if anyone actually believes that America is the only country with a military that makes mistakes, well, I don't even need to waste my time with that discussion.

I would like to say more, however am running out of space.

I hope that, even if you disagree with the Abu Ghraib situation, you will still support our troops who are doing their job - and they are doing a damn good job of it! It is their job after all, and Americans are notorious for giving their all no matter what it is to be accomplished.

In summary, this is yet another movie that will cause the rest of the world to laugh at us and our inability to support our own in times of crisis.

Our weakness is our separation and that is what makes us, as a country, vulnerable.

A miserable attempt to make criminals victims, I cannot sympathize with these soldiers nor their leaders.

The movie's attempt to highlight their psychological state and how they have to live with that for the rest of their lives is disgusting . What about the victims prisoners who were tortured, sexually violated and killed?

What is the condition of those who survived so far and how can they live with these psychological wounds before the physical wounds?

Hence, reversing the facts and trying to put the aggressor and the attacked party on an equal footing is tantamount to denying the reality of events and to distorting the facts .

The point of the documentary was to show that the acts carried out at the prison were under the direction, authority and knowledge of high-ranking military and executive office personnel. It was the result of policy under the Bush administration. Those accused of committing acts of torture were directed to do those things so often that it became routine for these people. When the acts of torture were exposed, the Bush administration threw those people under the bus and tried to disassociate themselves with all involvement in the events that happened at Abu Ghraib. I loved when John McCain called Rumsfeld out on the Senate floor (if you're going to lie, do it with some finesse, Rummy). Props to you, McCain.