Humane treatment of Prisoners in Iraq

from JoeUser Forums
I dont know about you, but I am saddened by what has been in the news the past few days. The inhumane treatment of the Iraqi's in prison is a blot on all Americans. I know I'm going to get some flak about what I'm saying but I thats ok. We are supposed to be liberating these people from oppression, not torturing them. If we want them to be tortured and beaten, let Saddam have his country back. I understand the anger that is felt in this country as a result of 9/11(being from NY I was very close to it), but we must not lower ourselves to their level. We have to show the world that we believe in fairness and justice above all. Our country suffered a terrible loss but that must not affect how we treat others, no matter what they may have done. In our society, rule of law must prevail. Everyone must be proven guilty no matter what they have done. That is part of what this country great, our fairness. What was done in Iraq dishonors all that our military has stood for over the years. But do not try these soldiers in the press. Wait untill all the facts are in before you pass judgement. Remember, soldiers are trained to follow orders, no matter what they are. If they refuse they run the risk of courtmartial. I'm not agreeing with what happened, but i will not judge until all the facts are in.
2,167 views 6 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
Yeah. The solders should know when to follow orders, and when to break em. Suppose you were a solder and corporal orders you to use your assault gun and just mow down the innocents, what should you do? Obey the order? Oh yeah, Nazi camps solders were mostly just obeying orders most of time. Some did truly hate Jews, however.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Remember, soldiers are trained to follow orders, no matter what they are.


Yeah, but were they 'ordered' to take pictures of each other pointing at naked Iraqi's genitals?  Or standing proudly behind a heap of bare-assed, hooded prisoners, grinning like loons? 


I'd also like to add that whilst soldiers ARE trained to take orders, they also are trained to use some god-damn common sense.  If they think that what they're being asked to do is corrupt or wrong, there is a chain of command they can follow to either verify that what they're being asked to do is legit, or blow the whistle on what's going on.  If the chain fails, then you make an IG complaint (for the AF anyway, I'm not sure what the agency name is for the other BOS)


 

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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
does anyone consider this a good moment to reflect and maybe think it's time to end it and withdraw from Iraq? Just wondering. Remember that this is no surprise to the likes of mikimouse let me say. Ha. I've been spat on and shat on for no more that telling people shit like this so I'm just happy the other side can finally see the truth behind the farce. That's a cool name for a tv show. The Truth: Behind the Farce. An ABC special presentation. Sponsored by Budweiser.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
There are two guilty parties here.

The soldiers - They are guilty of any abuses under the Geneva convention. Legally individuals cannot use 'following orders' as an excuse for breaking the convention and so these soldiers are guilty even if they were just following orders.

The system - Whether they were ordered to do this actions or not the US was warned by the red cross over a yer ago that soldiers were doing these things. How are soldiers suppossed to make the right decision without the system doing the right thing. Many of these soldiers have complained of no support and no one answering their questions on how to treat the pows. Some have even said they didn't know what rights the Geneva convention gives. These are system errors and the military is as guilty as those soldiers for not putting a stop to this.

Paul.
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
your absolutely right. But sometimes I think the fear of being branded a "rat" can keep the good souls frm repoting what they see up the chain of command. I'm not saying it's right, but I will suspend judgement till I see all the facts, not just the ones in the news. Our men and women in the Armed Forces need our support now more that ever .
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

But sometimes I think the fear of being branded a "rat" can keep the good souls frm repoting what they see up the chain of command
 


BTW, any military member who obeys an unlawful order is just as culpable as the person giving the order.