[LandOfLincolnGOP]

This posting should provide some much-needed perspective.

Have we sunk so low as to use this kind of relativism to defend ourselves? I expect that from weasel Rats, but not from people with honor. I'm with Lindsey Graham.

[MEG33]

This isn't relativism, this is what was going on before we invaded and kicked Saddam out of his palaces.

The two are separate but how soon we forget how noble our cause is. I tried to watch one video of one of the sons beating soldiers I assume...Just the screams were too much for me.

Here in Texas we are providing 7 Iraqi businessmen with prosthetic hands to replace the right hands that Saddam had severed because he blamed them for the economy slumping. We also are providing plastic surgery to remove the mark of shame carved into their faces.

[Bogey78O]

We're not using relativism. We're using a comparison. First being our guys are being punished for what they did. Second we're showign that we're nowhere near as bad as those "it's worse now" crowd are advocating.

[ApplegateRanch]

Have we sunk so low as to use this kind of relativism to defend ourselves?

If I understand correctly, this posting is NOT meant to make 'relativism' a defense of the illegal activities of our people.

Rather, it is legitimate to point out that "abuse" (torture & murder) were sponsored by Saddam's regime. That, far from being rooted out & punished, those involved were state-sponsored, were ordered to perform them, and were rewarded for their acts of brutality.

Also, some top regime officials publicly gloated, often personally observed, and even some times actively participated in the torture, mutilations, and deaths.

In contrast, our people are under legal constraints NOT to engage in ANY form of abuse, including 'simple humiliation'.

Far from being officially condoned or encouraged, it is publicly condemned at all levels; and anyone performing or ordering such abuse is found out, investigated, and punished.

It is not a defense of the actions involved, but of the enormous differences between the systems, in regards to the attitudes toward, and the consequences of, committing the crimes involved under each.

[Nix 2]

WE don't need defending...except against an extreme leftist, liberal, effing media...
and traitorous communists in our own government...
which are getting our soldiers and contractors, as well as Iraqis, killed, or haven't you noticed?