The problem I have with all this, is that we get bits and pieces. We don't know the whole story, we just get the most sensational. We get different people providing different accounts of things that went on. Then we're supposed to know the whole story and make assessments.
Am I somewhat troubled by some of these accounts? Yes. Do I know enough to truly make an accurate assessment? No.
I don't want to become barbarian to stop barbarians. I do however recognize that our military are having to deal with an almost impossible situation, weighing their actions against the potential threat.
What would you allow if it meant stopping the deaths of 250 thousand people? That's a pretty tough question to answer. Our military is having to do that. I am not going to damn them at every opportunity, even if some abuses do occur. I expect the military to intervene when things have gone too far. It seems to me they are doing so.
I don't think Rumsfeld has given the green light to 'anything goes'.
You're right. While I don't condone cruelty, and there probably should be checks & balances, I find it hard to sympathize with any of these prisoners. I can't tell the army what to do -- not when they're out trying to preserve our freedom & security.
Remember, people, these prisoners killed innocent civilians.