I can't believe that Donald Rumsfeld, who I don't take to be an evil man, hasn't resigned.
I wonder how you're defining the term. The banality of evil and all. Anyway, he'll resign only when it's more politically disadvantagous to keep him on board, and not a second before.
I'd have to believe either that his actions aren't even plausibly compatible with good ends, or that he authorized or did things that I'd call wrong no matter what ends are used to justify them. Knowledge and tacit approval of jailing children would fall in the latter category. But, much as I have gone on about it here, and much as I think it's damaging and wrong, I have to admit that a plausible case can be made that torture and secret detentions are at least rationalizable on a reading of the facts that takes Islamism to be a greater threat than I think it is.
Also, horrible pre-war planning doesn't seem to me properly called "evil," as long as I can imagine that Rumsfeld could reasonably believe that his plan would work.
I'm splitting some hairs here, I know, but I'd like the word "evil" to retain its kick.
According to ABC News, they've stripped Provance of his security clearance and threatened to prosecute him (in response to earlier discussions with the press, not this story.)
pet peeve here: this reminds me of A Few Good Men. It pissed me off in that movie that the soliders were courtmarshalled, because, you know, they should have known better. Since when are privates supposed to make judgment calls? It's just ridiculous. If they determine the Iraq War was a bad idea, I suppose they'll court martial the whole freakin army for not knowing better. This punishing of Provence, qnd Pvt England too while i'm at it, is the worst case of wanting to have their cake and eat it too. It's disgusting. Do soldiers follow orders or no? Take a position and stick with it.
I can't believe that Donald Rumsfeld, who I don't take to be an evil man, hasn't resigned.
I wonder how you're defining the term. The banality of evil and all. Anyway, he'll resign only when it's more politically disadvantagous to keep him on board, and not a second before.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 07- 7-04 12:41 PM
What would you have to see or hear to convince you that Donald Rumsfeld is an evil man?
Posted by Brad DeLong | Link to this comment | 07- 7-04 1:42 PM
I'd have to believe either that his actions aren't even plausibly compatible with good ends, or that he authorized or did things that I'd call wrong no matter what ends are used to justify them. Knowledge and tacit approval of jailing children would fall in the latter category. But, much as I have gone on about it here, and much as I think it's damaging and wrong, I have to admit that a plausible case can be made that torture and secret detentions are at least rationalizable on a reading of the facts that takes Islamism to be a greater threat than I think it is.
Also, horrible pre-war planning doesn't seem to me properly called "evil," as long as I can imagine that Rumsfeld could reasonably believe that his plan would work.
I'm splitting some hairs here, I know, but I'd like the word "evil" to retain its kick.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 07- 7-04 1:56 PM
I'm surprised you don't think Rumsfeld knew.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 07- 7-04 2:36 PM
I think it's likely that he did; just not sure yet.
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 07- 7-04 2:38 PM
According to ABC News, they've stripped Provance of his security clearance and threatened to prosecute him (in response to earlier discussions with the press, not this story.)
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/WNT/Investigation/abu_ghraib_cover_up_040521-1.html
Posted by anonymous | Link to this comment | 07- 7-04 3:14 PM
pet peeve here: this reminds me of A Few Good Men. It pissed me off in that movie that the soliders were courtmarshalled, because, you know, they should have known better. Since when are privates supposed to make judgment calls? It's just ridiculous. If they determine the Iraq War was a bad idea, I suppose they'll court martial the whole freakin army for not knowing better. This punishing of Provence, qnd Pvt England too while i'm at it, is the worst case of wanting to have their cake and eat it too. It's disgusting. Do soldiers follow orders or no? Take a position and stick with it.
Posted by Michael | Link to this comment | 07- 8-04 7:15 AM