Although Pentagon officials have insisted that only a tiny fraction of American soldiers behaved badly, there is wide agreement that their conduct damaged the standing of the United States in the Arab world.
A dog handler was convicted for mistreatment of detainees, one of many as one colonel noted lacked "definitive rules and ... some clear guidance." The result was predictable. But, analysis has shown that the testimony was a bit too generous. The underlining "unwritten rules" (and those infamous legal memoranda were probably in some sense ex post facto defensive in character) was clear. Responsibility goes to the top. This does not erase the guilt of the rank and file being targeted in cases like these, no more than systematic abuse should let beat police officers who abuse suspects get away with their acts.
It does leave a disgusting taste in one's mouth. The true criminals are not people like this dog handler. The true criminals will never be in jail -- even some distant fear that their travel plans could be interfered with via International Criminal Court sort rules is deemed horrible to imagine.
No, they will get pensions, and even mention as possible '08 presidential nominees (you know, Bush's "wife"). One more thing to keep in mind in November '06, I guess.