Standard Operating Procedure

I watched the Errol Morris documentary "Standard Operating Procedure" this afternoon. The film's subject are the infamous incidents and accompanying photographs that took place at Abu Ghraib prison in the fall and winter of 2003.

It was disgusting to see the pictures that weren't published before. It was also interesting to hear from those involved, most notably Lynndie English. The film questions what went on outside of the pictures, what higher-ups were involved and the notion of how the army defines "standing operating procedure" ("standard operating procedure" is a misnomer) and torture.

Lynndie English blames it on her boyfriend, who is currently serving 10 years for orchestrating the now public poses and stunts. Another participant claims she was just taking the pictures as evidence for later, although she, herself, is smiling in all of the photographs. She says that it's a natural reaction to getting her photgraph taken. Yeah, but standing in front of naked, hooded detainees simulating sex acts?

I don't know. I'm sure there were a lot of higher-ups who knew what was going on and these soliders were thrown underneath the bus. However given that quantity and quality of the photographs, wherein all the soldiers look like they're having a grand old time, I think it's still, at the very least, unfortunate, and Lynndie English in particular seems to still derive pleasure from it. I wasn't there, it was a very dangerous job, etc., so I don't wish to be heavy-handed on the judgement. Certainly the army has taken care of that. I think it's best seen as an example of what can occur during war, and that we, as Americans, are not immune to commiting heinous acts.