During the course of this investigation I conducted a lengthy interview with Brig. Gen. Karpinski that lasted over four hours, and is included verbatim in the investigation annexes. Brig. Gen. Karpinski was extremely emotional during much of the general’s testimony. What I found particularly disturbing in the general’s testimony was the general’s complete unwillingness to either understand or accept that many of the problems inherent in the 800th MP Brigade were caused or exacerbated by poor leadership and the refusal of the command to both establish and enforce basic standards and principles among its soldiers.
Emotional and unable to accept responsibility. Shocker. Meanwhile, her lawyer has this to say: “Brig. Gen. Janis L. Karpinski is the first and only female general officer to lead soldiers in combat. She is a hero to the men and women of the 800th Military Police Brigade.”
Yeah, that may well be true. And judging by their performance at the prison, it may be part of the problem. Now, it’s entirely possible that the whole affair is yet another intelligence debacle – or masterstroke of conspiracy, for that matter, depending on what the goal was. In either case, who better to play the patsy than an incompetent female general incapable of understanding that the whole point of treating prisoners decently and well is to encourage others to surrender instead of continuing to fight.