Dateline: Home Study

Yesterday US Army Reserve Specialist Sabrina D. Harman was sentenced to six months in prison for her role in photographing prisoners at Abu Ghraib. What she did was wrong, no doubt, it was not in keeping with the standards of the military and fell outside a warrior’s ethic. She is also being given a “bad conduct” discharge according to the Washington Post.

Spec Harman could have received a much heavier sentence, five and a half years, and may well have deserved more than the six months she received. Her actions damaged the image and credibility of the United States and the US military in general. Her actions however resulted in far fewer consequences than did those of Newsweek editor Mark Whitaker. Of course Whitaker, whose irresponsibility resulted in the death of sixteen people, gets off scot free. And he and his staff have the audacity to question the integrity of the military. Show me a reporter in jail for screwing up and I’ll give them some respect. Until then they can just lay off and get their own act together.