Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R-The Woodlands) issued this statement today regarding the Iraqi prisoner abuse photos.

 

"The Abu Ghraib prison guards in Iraq betrayed their fellow soldiers and our nation with their indefensible acts. But this past week in Washington -- watching some members of the House and Senate exploit this behavior to degrade our entire military and score political points -- well, I believe they betray our troops, as well.

“It's never wrong to seek the truth. And we'll find it in Abu Ghraib. But let's not make a bad situation worse with ill-chosen words and broad accusations.

“I reject the claim that ‘... Saddam's torture chambers reopened under new management, U.S. management,’ as Senator Ted Kennedy stated.  I reject those who malign the character of our entire military in order to undermine the war on terrorism. And I reject those around the world who clamor that the prison guards of Abu Ghraib reflect the values of America, our soldiers or our President. They are wrong.  

“The real truth is that over 130,000 American fighting men and women endanger their own lives in Iraq each day. They serve far from the comfort of their families for long periods of time to battle the growing scourge of international terrorism at its source.  The rest of the world should be down on its knees every night thanking them for it. We are.

“I have a message for our troops: Don't listen to the blowhards in Washington. Don't listen to the national media. You are good and decent people fighting for our freedom and our security. Your friends and family know this. I know this. America knows this.

“You have our support and prayers, and always will. Take heart in our love, our admiration and our gratitude too deep for words. We are with you."