Friday, April 30, 2004
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE
There is no way to justify the abuse of prisoners. After having the ability to kill the enemy outright on a battlefield, when they are still fighting, once that enemy throws up their hands and surrenders, they are supposed to be treated reasonably. That does not seem to be the case in this situation, which today is getting lots of screentime in Britain -- but naturally without much context.
1) ITV reports:
Pictures showing Iraqi prisoners being tortured and abused by US soldiers are "regrettable to say the least" Downing Street has said.
Tony Blair's official spokesman also confirmed eight cases of alleged mistreatment of Iraqis by British personnel are being investigated by the army's Special Investigations Branch.
"Where allegations are made, they will be investigated by the SIB and that's what every soldier who wears the British uniform knows," he said. . .
2) Similarly, Sky reports:
Tony Blair is "appalled" by photographs apparently showing US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners in a Baghdad jail. . .
3) And, typically, worst of all, the BBC:
Images of US soldiers allegedly abusing Iraqi prisoners at a notorious jail near Baghdad have sparked shock and anger.
Politicians in the US, Britain and the Middle East expressed disgust at the images, broadcast on US television, and called for those responsible to face justice. . .
In any event, only the release of the photos is really new. The military knew about this problem for months. Well, we might as well go to the source. CBS's "60 Minutes II" reports:
Last month, the U.S. Army announced 17 soldiers in Iraq, including a brigadier general, had been removed from duty after charges of mistreating Iraqi prisoners.
But the details of what happened have been kept secret, until now.
It turns out photographs surfaced showing American soldiers abusing and humiliating Iraqis being held at a prison near Baghdad. The Army investigated, and issued a scathing report.
Now, an Army general and her command staff may face the end of long military careers. And six soldiers are facing court martial in Iraq -- and possible prison time. . .
Read the whole CBS article. Regardless of what has gone on, while reading the CBS piece, I could not fail to remember the underlying and vital difference between a democracy and a totalitarian regime: A democracy punishes misbehavior; totalitarians thrive on it.
I will leave the last word here to a couple of those who should know, which were sent to the CBS web site:
First:
As a U.S. Marine who served our nation for more than 24 years, including multiple tours in Vietnam, I am appalled, ashamed and angry about U.S. servicemen and women torturing Iraqi prisoners. I totally reject any claim that those accused failed to receive adequate training in the handling of POWs or the requirements of the Geneva Convention. Such training would have only reinforced the rules of common decency that should govern the behavior, one human being toward another.
These soldiers, including their commanding officer, a brigadier general, are disgrace to this nation. They, too, should stand before the bar of justice at a war crimes tribunal. They are no better than the evil regime which honorable Americans have fought and died to oust.
--Master Gunnery Sgt. Donald M. O'Neal
And him:
I just wanted to echo what Gen. Kimmitt emphasized on your show. We are a value-based organization and those who participated in this sick turn of events should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. They are a small minority that do not represent what positive things that we do in Iraq. They did not think of the consequences of what could happen to their fellow soldiers if captured themselves. They blame this on the lack of leadership and training. What about human morals? We are American soldiers and believe in standards higher that what they displayed.
--SFC Manuel J. Shaw ¶ by Robert, Friday, April 30, 2004
There is no way to justify the abuse of prisoners. After having the ability to kill the enemy outright on a battlefield, when they are still fighting, once that enemy throws up their hands and surrenders, they are supposed to be treated reasonably. That does not seem to be the case in this situation, which today is getting lots of screentime in Britain -- but naturally without much context.
1) ITV reports:
Pictures showing Iraqi prisoners being tortured and abused by US soldiers are "regrettable to say the least" Downing Street has said.
Tony Blair's official spokesman also confirmed eight cases of alleged mistreatment of Iraqis by British personnel are being investigated by the army's Special Investigations Branch.
"Where allegations are made, they will be investigated by the SIB and that's what every soldier who wears the British uniform knows," he said. . .
2) Similarly, Sky reports:
Tony Blair is "appalled" by photographs apparently showing US soldiers abusing Iraqi prisoners in a Baghdad jail. . .
3) And, typically, worst of all, the BBC:
Images of US soldiers allegedly abusing Iraqi prisoners at a notorious jail near Baghdad have sparked shock and anger.
Politicians in the US, Britain and the Middle East expressed disgust at the images, broadcast on US television, and called for those responsible to face justice. . .
In any event, only the release of the photos is really new. The military knew about this problem for months. Well, we might as well go to the source. CBS's "60 Minutes II" reports:
Last month, the U.S. Army announced 17 soldiers in Iraq, including a brigadier general, had been removed from duty after charges of mistreating Iraqi prisoners.
But the details of what happened have been kept secret, until now.
It turns out photographs surfaced showing American soldiers abusing and humiliating Iraqis being held at a prison near Baghdad. The Army investigated, and issued a scathing report.
Now, an Army general and her command staff may face the end of long military careers. And six soldiers are facing court martial in Iraq -- and possible prison time. . .
Read the whole CBS article. Regardless of what has gone on, while reading the CBS piece, I could not fail to remember the underlying and vital difference between a democracy and a totalitarian regime: A democracy punishes misbehavior; totalitarians thrive on it.
I will leave the last word here to a couple of those who should know, which were sent to the CBS web site:
First:
As a U.S. Marine who served our nation for more than 24 years, including multiple tours in Vietnam, I am appalled, ashamed and angry about U.S. servicemen and women torturing Iraqi prisoners. I totally reject any claim that those accused failed to receive adequate training in the handling of POWs or the requirements of the Geneva Convention. Such training would have only reinforced the rules of common decency that should govern the behavior, one human being toward another.
These soldiers, including their commanding officer, a brigadier general, are disgrace to this nation. They, too, should stand before the bar of justice at a war crimes tribunal. They are no better than the evil regime which honorable Americans have fought and died to oust.
--Master Gunnery Sgt. Donald M. O'Neal
And him:
I just wanted to echo what Gen. Kimmitt emphasized on your show. We are a value-based organization and those who participated in this sick turn of events should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. They are a small minority that do not represent what positive things that we do in Iraq. They did not think of the consequences of what could happen to their fellow soldiers if captured themselves. They blame this on the lack of leadership and training. What about human morals? We are American soldiers and believe in standards higher that what they displayed.
--SFC Manuel J. Shaw ¶ by Robert, Friday, April 30, 2004
