Here We Go Again

Today, Time Magazine reports that Sgt. Santos Cardona, one of the infamous 'dog handlers' in the even more infamous Abu Ghraib prison scandal, is heading to Iraq . . . to train Iraqi police forces.

"If news of this deployment is accurate, it represents appallingly bad judgment," retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, who commanded a division in the first Gulf War, told Time. "The symbolic message perceived in Iraq will likely be that the U.S. is simply insensitive to the abuse of their prisoners."

This news, of course, follows reports of record numbers of troops receiving waivers to enlist . . . of a dire need for new recuits . . . and of the military's continued dismissal of perfectly qualified gay Americans who are ready and able to serve.

Instead of welcoming those gay Americans who want to serve, though, the military chooses to redeploy troops suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder; send troops back for multiple deployments; and look the other way when those without the usual qualifications want to sign up for duty.

It boggles the mind.

- Steve Ralls

UPDATE: We just learned that the Army has decided not to deploy Sgt. Cardona, for fear that "the safety of others in his unit" may be threatened.