EldroRolod
Posts: 28
Joined: 6/12/2007
Status: offline
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I found this string out of boredom, browsing the normally mundane posts hoping to find something I could get into. I hesitate to enter this debate because I will probably not take the time to read the replies or continue the string of conversation. But, since this topic is something I do for a living, I thought I would give you all something new to argue about. LOL
First, my background: I spent 8 years as a military policeman and now serve as a certified military instructor teaching several topics including "The laws of armed conflict." I'll give you a few insights into the topic.
Any military policeman who uses the excuse, "I didnt know I was doing anything wrong." Is lying. The proper treatment of prisoners is covered extensively in MP school since the MPs are the primary units responsible for processing and controlling Enemy Prisoners of War. The MPs at Abu Ghraib knew what they were doing was wrong. Now, something else interesting...
What the MPs did was NOT torture. They mistreated the prisoners, yes, but they had no agenda of gaining a confession or attempting to acquire intelligence data. They were just being stupid. The prisoners were not physically harmed. Tormented, yes. Humiliated, yes. Was it wrong? Absolutely! My personal favorite was the dog barking at a prisoner who knelt on the floor. The prisoner was never bitten, but the photos made for good news coverage.
The one poster is correct; terrorists and spies are NOT afforded protection under the Geneva convention. What happens now in war is that our citizenry, and some politicians who oppose military action, as well as the mainstream media, attempt to apply civilian law to a military conflict. That does not work and is the reason the military has its own laws to govern its conduct. (The Uniform Code of Military Justice) The dangers faced by the military are unique to the military and therefore require a unique code of laws and restrictions. For instance, the media, as well as some so called scholars tried to hang a young Marine, almost literally, for shooting a wounded enemy while clearing a building. I'm sure you remember the case. The Marine did nothing wrong and acted completely within his rights as a soldier AND within military law, but because a civilian camera crew was present, they attempted to apply a civilian understanding of the law to the case. It was idiocy in its true form. Luckily it was eventually dropped after the Marine got some time back in the States while it was all figured out.
As for our enemy: They dont just hate us, their political and religious leaders have mandated our destruction. They WILL come here to accomplish that goal. No, it is NOT in response to anything the United States did. You have to understand the RADICAL form of Islam to truly understand their motivations. The pro-Islam spokespersons you see on TV every night are NOT speaking for the radicals. And NO, appeasement does not work. Look at the UK, Spain, and France if you want to see what appeasement of radical islam brings. They believe they must prepare the earth for the arrival of their messiah. That preparation involves the conversion to islam, or destruction of the non-believers. Period.
Do atrocities occur? Yes. They have in ever conflict since the beginning of time. Its always regrettable, but you can't judge an entire military force or judge who is on the right side of the conflict based on isolated incidents committed by deranged individuals. And, just for good measure, most reports of atrocities thus far arent even true or verifiable. Yes, people who oppose the war and hate the military DO fabricate news items. There are even people out there on the web and appearing in papers and even on television talking about the atrocities they witnessed, or even participated in WHO WEREN'T THERE and in at least two cases, were lying about their military service or weren't even IN the military.
I'll spare you my personal opinions on the conduct of the war because that would just stur up more hatred. OK, just one thing. I think we are playing too nice. Anyone who understands our enemy, and truly understands what this nation is facing probably feels the same.
The most disturbing thing for me is that the people who call for the heads of anyone even hinted at as doing something wrong don't seem to react the same way when the actual head of one of our people is literally hacked from his body and displayed on arab TV. You may not believe in this war, or any war. You may not feel a part of it. You may whole-heartedly oppose violence in any form. You may believe that we can leave the middle east and the terrorists would leave us alone. You would be wrong on all counts. Whether YOU consider yourself a part of this conflict or not, our enemy DOES consider you a part of it. And YOU are in much more danger than you realize and much more danger than your government will admit.
Look beyond your narrow little life. Look around the world. Every major conflict raging around the globe is being fought by radical islam. Yes, even the liberal love-fest with Darfur. Guess who's killing all those innocents... I'll give you one guess.
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RE: Presidential Scholars Pimp Slap Bush over Torture. - 
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