Human Rights Watch Scares Scotty McClellan

The New York Times today summarizes a report by Human Rights Watch that criticizes the U.S. for hurting efforts to end torture and violation of human rights. By systematic policy, the report accuses, the United States creates conditions in which human rights are violated and the role of the U.S. as the country of best human rights practices falls into the past. The report is apparently quite threatening to Scott McClellan, who had to resort to lashing out at Human Rights Watch instead of addressing its concerns. From the article:

The charges drew an unusually sharp rebuff from the White House. Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman, said he was "rejecting the description of the United States."

"When a group like this makes some of these assertions, it diminishes the effectiveness of that organization," he said. "It appears to be based more on a political agenda than facts."

When you say something that causes McClellan to lash out, you know that (a) you have hit a sore spot with the administration, and (b) there is likely to be some truth to what you have said.