Some of you have emailed me to say that I’m misinterpreting Kos. Here’s the argument:
“The torture that was so bad under Saddam, is equally bad under U.S. command” does not mean “Saddam and the US torture the same amount” but rather “torture is just as wrong under US command as under Saddam’s command”.
The sentence, when re-read, is indeed unclear and could be read either way, I think. Well: Kos can clear it up. All he need say is that the torture that has occurred under the U.S., while nothing like as extreme or as widespread as under Saddam, is still reprehensible. I look forward to his clarification on these lines and will happily link to it if it appears and withdraw his award nomination.
The Dish 