Saturday, May 01, 2004

Perspective on Torture

The photos of the goings on in the Abu Ghraib prison are making the rounds of the internet.  This morning, it appears as if the British have not been left out the controversy either.

President Bush is “deeply disgusted." As well he should be.  British General Sir Mike Jackson, had this to say about British troops involved.

"If proven the perpetrators are not fit to wear the queen’s uniform. They have besmirched the good name of the army and its honour."

My friend, Billy Beck, notes this also, in a post at No Treason, where he expresses a couple of thoughts that bear consideration.

"At the very least, nobody so lacking in a moral center as to stand around smiling in photographs like that can be permitted anywhere near those responsibilities for a single hour."

"And I should think it might go without saying. If anyone can find someone who approves of it, I’ll go out of my way to give them hell, too."

But it is this thought, from Billy’s post, that I’m thinking about this morning.

"I didn’t hit on this at my place, either. The main reason has to do with the density and frequency of “outrage” these days. It’s bloody everywhere, in every form, and impossible to keep up with, piece by piece. That is no reason to presume, however, that anyone sanctions this sort of thing."

Too true.  And the outrage will blow over like a summer afternoon thunderstorm.

But, when I first read the story and viewed the photos yesterday, the first thought that popped into my mind was, the assholes who were involved in this are no better than terrorist dogs who blow themselves up killing innocents, whether it be in the streets of the Mideast, or buildings in Manhattan.  The soldiers involved, both American and British, should immediately be stripped of their ranks, court-martialed if need be, dishonorably discharged, and sent packing.  They are scum.

The second thought that passed through my mind was a question.  The question is, why is the level of outrage being displayed in regards to these few disgusting military individuals, at such a pitch, as to make the stories of torture under Saddam appear to be non news?  Is it because there are not any photos which chronicle Saddam’s minions torture work?  Tsk, tsk, you know we expect torture stories from Saddam, and mass graves, and such, but the Americans, well the Americans deserve to be humilitated so lets wind this story up for maximum effect.

Think about that, but get your perspective glasses on.  The American and British involved in these incidents are scum.  They are no better than schoolyard bullies.  But don’t get so worked up that you can’t see the big picture.  And remember this.  As disgusting as the scenes depicted in the photographs are, they are scenes of humiliation, not death and torture of likes that occurred in the dungeons of Saddam Hussein.

Posted by John Venlet on 05/01 at 03:46 AM
(10) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Page 1 of 1 pages