Pfc. Lynndie England Takes a Fall for the Neocons

It’s a revisitation of the prosecution and conviction of Lt. William Calley. Army Pfc. Lynndie England was convicted earlier today of "detainee abuse" (a neutral term for sadistic torture) at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. "England, 22, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy, four counts of maltreating detainees and one count of committing an indecent act. She was acquitted on a second conspiracy count," reports the Associated Press. "The jury of five male officers needed slightly more than two hours to reach its verdict. Her case now moves into the sentencing phase, which will determined by the same jury of five Army officers. She faces a maximum 10 years in prison."

Lt. William Calley was convicted for his role in leading the 1968 massacre of Vietnamese civilians at My Lai. Of course, England's offense pales by way of comparison - Calley was convicted of directing the massacre of 500 people - but there is little chance her conviction will be overturned, as Calley's was by Judge Robert Elliott.

Calley served precisely two days in Leavenworth and spent the remainder of his "prison time" under house arrest at Fort Benning.

England will not be so lucky.