Posted on 05/13/2004 9:52:58 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob
First, we put the abuses of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib in proper context. One meaning of this story is to demonstrate that we are in a battle between two civilizations. Ours is a modern one, in which people who violate civilized standards on treatment of prisoners will be prosecuted and punished. On the other side is a barbaric civilization, in which graft, torture and mass murder are not only not punished, the perpetrators are praised and supported.
No one should doubt at this point that we face a conflict as clear as that between the Romans and the Goths. Either they will destroy our civilization, or we will destroy theirs, such as it is. Anyone who doubts this need only reflect on the most recent beheading of an American, this week in Baghdad.
This isn’t an argument to justify the actions of certain soldiers and their commanders at Abu Ghraib Prison. We should not degrade our level of civilization in order to fight the barbarians, in Iraq or anywhere else. But it does mean that we should reject the criticism of our actions from those who at the same time fail to object to mass murderers and mass torturers.
Those who bother to read the Geneva Conventions will quickly discover that guerillas who hide among civilians, wear no uniforms, and are not part of military units are NOT entitled to the protections of those Conventions when captured. Under the law of war, which is older than the United States and has been recognized by a unanimous Supreme Court decision, such “fighters” are “illegal combatants.” They are entitled only to military trials or, in some circumstances, merely to be shot on sight.
It is by choice, not the requirements of the Geneva Conventions, that the American military has decided to allow these prisoners the benefits of the Conventions. Per the Senate hearings on Thursday, not only were all guards and interrogators trained in the application of the Geneva Conventions, there was a standing order that all were to be reminded of the Conventions “at every shift change.” This daily reminder may not have been carried out. Clearly it was not followed in some instances. However, it was an established policy of the American military.
Now, what should be the punishments for the American military personnel who have violated the standards, and subjected Iraqi prisoners to humiliating (but not usually physically harmful or deadly) treatment? Those who have actually committed these acts, once proven in a military court, should be stripped of rank, dishonorably discharged, and sentenced to appropriate incarceration.
The contention of the soldiers that they received an order to “soften the prisoners up for interrogation” is no defense.
(Excerpt) Read more at ArmorforCongress.com ...
"Those who bother to read the Geneva Conventions will quickly discover that guerillas who hide among civilians, wear no uniforms, and are not part of military units are NOT entitled to the protections of those Conventions when captured."
seems only fair
Congressman Billybob has MY vote this November! Well written!
John / Billybob
I didn't read the whole version, only the part posted. I agree wholeheartedly with your points up to the point that's readable. Good luck on getting the rest in there.
Re: Your AR. I have no idea.
When my whole article is posted on ChronWatch.com, I will put up a link to the whole thing. I will cease posting "Special to FreeRepublic." If all I can post is a pathetic stump of an article, that is a waste of my time to post, and yours to read.
Sorry about that.
John / Billybob
Because of the huge, time-wasting problems trying to put the article on FR, in future I won't post early on FR. I'll just wait for the ChronWatch publication and use its URL.
John / Billybob
Good article (as always.)
Thanks for posting the link to ChronWatch.
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