Erstellt am: 5. 8. 2011 - 13:24 Uhr

Time to question the people in power

Reality Check: "Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives" in the US and in Spain, authority is being challenged

"Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it."
John Lennon

Rumsfeld in the hot seat

John Lennon's words probably sums up the sentiments felt by a 50 year old US military translator who claims he was tortured by the US government and locked away in a prison in Iraq for 9 months. Whether his claims on torture are true or not, what is apparently not in dispute is that he was badly treated and the circumstances of his arrest and release leave many questions unanswered.

Let me take you back to late 2005; it was the height of the Iraq War, the US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was the man directing the war from his office at the Pentagon and things weren’t going to plan with insurgent fighters causing chaos.

Over in Iraq, a translator who collected intelligence for the US marines was preparing for his annual break back to the US and was packing his bags to leave Iraq. Without warning he was taken into custody by the US army. He maintains that he was then abused in detention in Camp Cropper, which was the US military facility for keeping ‘high-risk’ detainees. He claims he was kept in a cell that was frankly disgusting, the lights were kept on all hours, loud music was blasted into his cell and he was never really told why he was being held. Then 9 months later, he was released without explanation.

Today that translator is attempting to sue Donald Rumsfeld. The translator argues that Mr Rumsfeld personally approved torture interrogation techniques and controlled his detention without access to courts in violation of his constitutional rights. The attorney representing the translator says it appears the military wanted to keep his client behind bars so he couldn't tell anyone about an important contact he made with a leading sheik while helping collect intelligence in Iraq. The US government says the translator was suspected of helping pass classified information to the enemy and helping anti-coalition forces get into Iraq. But the translator has always denied this and says he was never charged with a crime.

The US justice department appears to be arguing that you can’t sue the Defense Secretary personally, because he is only answerable to the President and Congress, but a US judge is allowing the case to go ahead. If the translator wins, it will create a crucial legal precedent. Who wants “remember when that translator threw the book at Rumsfeld” echoing around the Pentagon when there are security concerns on a future Libyan or Syrian battlefield?

Our Washington DC correspondent, Priscilla Huff, explains the details of the case:

Spanish protests turn violent

John Lennon's words could apply equally well to the people of Madrid, who are taking to the streets to protest against their politicians and political system.

They had left the central "Puetra del Sol" some time ago, leaving an information stand listing their grievances. But this week the police moved in to clear it away ahead of the Pope's forthcoming visit, and violent clashed ensued. Unlike the protesters in Greece, the "indignados" are not making specific demands in relation to the current financial crisis. They are calling for a complete shake up of the political system, and for politicians to be forced to take responsibility for their promises, and stick to them.

The spokesman for the protesters, Huan Vik, told Chris Cummins why the protest is a long term one, with long term aims.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to friday from 12 to 14. And after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.