May 16, 2004

Abu Ghraib's Long Shadow

"We believed in American exceptionalism, and American exceptionalism has proven to be fraudulent."

-- Fred Hiatt, quoting Tommy Koh (Singapore's former Ambassador to Washington).

Harsh and overwrought? Perhaps...but Hiatt is right when he writes:

"The first victims of U.S. prison abuse at Abu Ghraib were Iraqis. But those who will pay a price also live in Libya and Hong Kong, Venezuela and Burma, and anywhere else human rights are in jeopardy.

They will pay a price because America's capacity to stand up to dictators, and stand up for their victims, is the lowest it has been in memory. And so far at least, President Bush either does not appreciate or does not care enough about this handicap to begin taking the steps that might point to recovery."

I think Bush does care--it's the appreciate part I'm concerned about.