The Associated Press article “Prisoner tells of abuse in hands of Americans” (May 3) fails to explore the roots of these atrocities.

“Shock and awe” has been the hallmark of the Iraq war since it’s beginning. Rumsfeld, Cheney, Rice, Pearle and Wolfowitz had drawn up these tactics for winning American imperialism before Bush became president. Terrifying the enemy with overwhelming power and violence was the plan for controlling the country.

Can we really wonder why the homeland soldiers at the bottom used fear and humiliation on the prisoners they were ordered to “soften up for interrogation”?

Should all of the blame be heaped on these girls and boys?

Bill Ellis, Rangeley