Time to take your "bad apples" theory...

...and make applesauce out of it. The ACLU has been asking for all sorts of documents under the Freedom of Information Act, and they just hit some pretty damning ones:

A document released for the first time today by the American Civil Liberties Union suggests that President Bush issued an Executive Order authorizing the use of inhumane interrogation methods against detainees in Iraq. Also released by the ACLU today are a slew of other records including a December 2003 FBI e-mail that characterizes methods used by the Defense Department as "torture" and a June 2004 "Urgent Report" to the Director of the FBI that raises concerns that abuse of detainees is being covered up.

"These documents raise grave questions about where the blame for widespread detainee abuse ultimately rests," said ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero. "Top government officials can no longer hide from public scrutiny by pointing the finger at a few low-ranking soldiers."

There are even some reports of Defense agents claiming to be FBI agents while using torture in interrogations, so that any leaks will be laid at the wrong feet. Eesh.

So glad that we decided to keep these arrogant bastards high-minded leaders in office.

(via Tom Tomorrow)