Sometimes, you just have to let a quote stand on its own:
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — In an unusual defense against war crimes charges, former Liberian President Charles Taylor told judges Thursday that he saw nothing wrong with displaying the skulls of slain enemy soldiers at roadblocks. (Emphasis mine)
I’d prefer to let the quote stand alone; but when it comes to global politics, you must always give the context.
Courtenay Griffiths, Taylor’s lawyer, is trying change the subject. Instead of answering charges about Taylor’s war in Sierra Leone, she questioned her client about his successful coup in Liberia.
In changing the subject to a different war, she hopes to make the court believe Taylor is not as bloodthirsty as the prosecution says.
Griffiths asked Taylor whether he had tried to stop any of the horrors unfolding in West Africa:
Taylor said he even sought to punish one of his most senior commanders, Prince Johnson, whom he described as a professional soldier and a firm disciplinarian who sometimes “went a little overboard.” He said he ordered Johnson’s arrest after the officer “got annoyed and executed” two soldiers without a court-martial. (Emphasis mine)
Overboard? Johnson “somehow” avoided arrest and later captured the sitting president of Liberia, Samuel K. Doe.
Johnson gave the orders to have Doe’s ears cut off. While drinking Budweiser. On camera.
