Torturing Iraq in an Unnecessary War
The humiliation, abuse, torture and perhaps even murder of Iraqi prisoners by U.S. and British forces have enormous implications - if the American and British publics choose not to deny them. In the "us" versus "them" climate that wars often bring, however, excusing or downplaying abuses by "our team" is quite common. In the current Iraq prison scandal, many American newspapers-including the flagship New York Times-buried the shocking photos of Iraqi prisoners being humiliated and tortured in their interior pages. American newspapers and media outlets, conscious of the bottom-line, know that their readers and viewers feel uncomfortable when being exposed to gross misconduct by "Team USA," especially when many prisoners should already have been released in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention. A U.S. Army report noted that more than 60 percent of the civilian inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison were deemed to be no threat to society. Unfortunately for the Anglo-American war cause, the rest of the world's newspapers and media outlets showcased the story of prisoner abuse rather than burying it.
The British and American governments attempted to quell the uproar by deeming the abuse an isolated incident among the many valiant Anglo-American military men and women of high ethical standards. But Brigadier General Mark Kimmit, the spokesman for U.S. forces in Iraq, said that he couldn't rule out such abuses in other U.S.-operated prisons in Iraq. After all, the entire Iraqi prison system was supervised by one person-Brigadier General Janis Karpinsky - who was relieved of her command by the Army. And undoubtedly U.S. military intelligence and CIA interrogators frequented most or all of the prisons-trolling for information that would be of help furthering the counterinsurgency.
Seymour Hersh, a journalist who exposed the My Lai massacre in Vietnam and has investigated the abuses in Iraq's prisons for the New Yorker, concluded, "The 372nd's [a reserve military police unit] abuse of prisoners seemed almost routine-a fact of Army life that the soldiers felt no need to hide." Hersh's statement is dramatically illustrated by the photos taken of Iraqi prisoners being tortured and humiliated. It was conscientious British soldiers who gave photos to the British press of their fellow soldiers beating an Iraqi prisoner with rifle butts. The soldiers said that the horrific treatment of Iraqi prisoners was widespread, and that the coalition was fighting a losing war because of the fierce opposition such abuse generated in Iraq. Now the photos have circled the globe, acting as a magnet to recruit jihadists-inflamed by the sexually explicit humiliation of prisoners in a conservative Islamic culture-to the fight in Iraq.
For the sake of argument, however, let's assume that the U.S. and British governments are correct that the Abu Ghraib incident is an aberration, not the rule. Are the top echelons of the U.S. and British governments absolved of guilt? Quite the contrary. In any unnecessary war, the leaders of the attacking side are morally responsible for all deaths in the enemy military: accidental killings of civilians (the military euphemism is "collateral damage") as well as abuses by rogue elements of those same groups toward enemy prisoners. The military leaders set up the situation in which the deaths and abuse occurred.
And there is little doubt that this war was unnecessary. After no "weapons of mass destruction" were found and allegations arose that the Bush administration had twisted and exaggerated intelligence to make its case for war, the administration's changing emphasis on its justifications for the invasion should be a hint that the invasion of Iraq was a "war of choice" a euphemism for an unnecessary war. Already, the sins of this quagmire are many. The moral bankruptcy of torturing and abusing Iraqi prisoners, many of whom may have done nothing wrong, can be added to the ever-growing pile.
Ivan Eland is the Director of the Center on Peace and Liberty at the Independent Institute in Oakland, California and author of the book, Putting "Defense" Back into U.S. Defense Policy: Rethinking U.S. Security in the Post-Cold War World.
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http://www.rense.com/general52/anom.htm
Nick Berg's father confirms that while sitting on a bus, a man who is now known to be a "terrorist" was using Nick Berg's computer who had given this man his laptop, and gave him the password to his e-mail account.
Also consider this:
* 1999: Ihab Mahammed Ali, an al Qaeda member arrested in Orlando, Florida, and later named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombings in Africa, is called before a grand jury. He denies participation in bin Laden's network and is charged with perjury. The FBI learns that Ali had obtained flight training at the Airman Flight School in Norman, Oklahoma. Ali became al Qaeda's first pilot. Accused September 11 terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui also took flight lessons at the Airman school.
BOTH BERG AND MOUSSAOUI ATTENDED AIRMAN FLIGHT SCHOOL: The Airman Flight School is centrally located in Norman, Oklahoma, and only minutes away from Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City. Norman is the home to the University of Oklahoma; its residents enjoy all the conveniences of a major metropolitan area. Norman averages more than 300 days of VFR weather per year, for year-round flight training. On IFR days, students in advanced courses continue training on instruments.
http://www.airmanflightschool.com/#lodge
http://www.rense.com/general53/911BER.HTM
If that is the image the US Administration and the Pentagon wish to give to Muslims, of concealing the truth at every chance they get, well then you will never convince us that you wish to spread freedom, for your government authorities are no role models to be following, but are rather indulging in hypocrisy.
Islam is not questionable with me. There is way too much generalizations on this board, and it is wrong to attribute to all the actions of some. Pretty simple.
I stand by my statement that Christians and Jews have not cornered the market on disgusting behavior; it does not "belong" to just some religions or race of people.
You are entitled to your opinions as much as I am, but anyone that refuses to cooperate with a murder investigation that might find justice for the victim and their family has no moral high ground with me.
Dont believe the lies folks, Americans are upset because hard proof is now out confirming what these terrorists are doing to the people of Iraq
Islam, an Arabic word meaning largely, "Pacified", referring to the spiritual state of absolute peace achieved when you realized your lord, that is God. God is an English word denoting the GOD that is known as Allah, Ilah, Elaha, Yahwe, Jehova, Dieu, Dios, etc. All these names as well as others are perfectly legitimate. The Quran says, "To God belong the most beautiful names" Whoever atempts to differenciate between Allah and "God" it would be like trying to differentiate between your paternal aunt and your father's sister! If you want to learn about Islam and its righteousness you have to go to the source of knowledge: "the Quran." If you watch people and their misconduct especially, you learn nothing. If I want to learn about American Judeo-Christian culture and contribution to the modern civilization, I will not go in the ganglands or to the mob to learn about it. But I will go to legitimate institutions, like the army for instance, do you get my drift? Or is the US army not a ligit institution? Is al-Qaeda? Who made al-Qaeda ligit? Name me one Muslim legal istitution that declared al-Qaeda as the representatives of al-Islam! Not legal institutions might have had, as well as KKK would declare the Socialist Nazi Parti as the legit party of the Europeans.
There are certain forces acting in Iraq. One one hand is the US invaders and occupyers with the COW and those Iraqis that see this as a good idea(they are Muslims too). On the other hand the insurgeants that don't see the occupation as a good idea(they are Muslims too) and last the foreign terrorists that have an unsolved dispute with US and they would use anything holy or not to get their plans of inflicting damage to the US(these also are Muslims). To which ones you referred, Marlene?
My deppest Symphanys
Christa Lester
These acts of abuse are like a rotten cherry that rots the whole bowl of good fruit. It is a shame that these individuals cannot see how we have "learned" to get "along" with our neighbor although we have different beliefs. I live across from a Japanese neighbor who has become one of our best friends. An Indian lady comes by with her grandaughter daily to play with our cat, who we sometimes share snacks with.... don't mistaken a few. Many are generous as well. I don't think it's a matter of Americans looking at "Team America"... I think it is a matter of individuals unhappy for ALL harmed. WE are ALL not the same... as I am to believe you are too!
I would like to appeal to the people responsible for this website to write an article about the wrongness of such acts and the unlawfulness of revengeful acts, which were stopped by the prophet Mohammed. Muslims should really discuss the wrong our fellow Muslims do, especially terrorism. If Muslims continue to be silent on this, our children will pay for it. We have to defend our faith against those who commit abhorent acts and claim that they are following Islamic teachings.
May Allah bless Mr.Papsworth and Mr.Stern!
Unfortunately, many Iraqi men and women had been tormented by these and worse practices long before any direct, American or British government activity there.
Consider this question, "What military engagement is not a war of choice?" Secondly, "Why must you conclude that when choice is involved, there must be no necessity- (in the article the writer says war of choice is an unnecessary war.)
Peace, kindness, mutual-respect, unselfish global fraternization- these character qualties, must be actions of CHOICE-
SHALL WE CONCLUDE THAT THESE QUALTIES ARE UNNECESSARY?
It appears that you do not think that removing Hussein from Iraq was necessary, since weapons of mass destruction were not readily unearthed there.
May God raise up influential and honorable leaders, whose choices enable and lead people to call upon the Name of the Lord.
But, the heart of man is desparately wicked and prone to unpredictable evils. May God have mercy on us, forgive our sins, humble our hearts, and teach us that we truly need Him every hour!
of the treatment of the prisoners in
Afghanistan by the Taliban. The Taliban set an
example; actually upheld a standard of
practice used in warfare. The small Bush
should take his WMD's out of Iraq and retrain
them on the etiquette of care of prisoners.
Being an American Muslim I first felt anger
and then realized that the savagery used
against the Iraq prisoners....this behavior was
also used/demonstrated during the times of
slavery here in the good ol' U S of A. Any
punishment dealt to these WMD's, Inshala,
will come soon, before retaliation raises it's
ugly head once again.
Peace and Blessings to all
With regard to this article the spin from the US and the UK will be that their systems are transparent and as a result the abuses of the resistance fighters ( not insurgents ) have been brought to the open. What the US and UK are not openly disclosing is that it is one soldier who released these visual images otherwise this controversy would not have made an impact despite prior protestations from Amnesty International and the Red Cross. God Willing the sham of this unjust war will be brought to the open and the perperators taken to a criminal court . But I honestly doubt whether these revelations will wake the Americans up from their delusionary world. I hope I am wrong.
I just want to thank you for your excellent observation of facts. Your comments deserve to be a feature article in your leading newspapers, but that would be asking for a black dove! given the Zionist-controlled US media. As Muslims we can not expect any sympathy from such quarters at all. In fact they have websites purely to smear Muslims by concentrating on negative news that comes out of Islamic countries. Such twisted minds that spend its entire existance in pursuit of vile hatred. Such are the aims of Zionists in this life. What utter insult to the Creator who has given us divinity in this life purely by giving us life and free will. Yet they make it their life's purpose to squander such gift.
No one can find such devious pursuit within a Muslim's mind. We aim to worship the One God, pay charity and be kind to ALL. Anyone of us who does otherwise would not be able to live amongst
his/her community with any measure of dignity, let alone be given the mantle of respect.
And neither we expect gratitude from anyone except Allah s.w.t. but those who acknowledge such with gratitude, like Mr. Stern, will surely find their rewards with Allah for HE loves those who speak the truth.
1)war crimes and they should be tried for War crimes from lowest to superiors.
2)It is oppression/genocide/holocast/crusade.
3)It is terrorism/ destruction followed by missionaries-reconstruction.
5)No Western country has ever helped Muslims when they were tortured / killed by non-muslims. except for their selfish reason.They even use muslims against muslims.
These are the policies and decisions made jointly by extremists(terrorists)in usa and israel and carried out on muslims.SHAME.
At this time only ALLAH can do the best Justice.
The media and western countries are against the most peaceful religion(ISLAM).Read Quran and Hadith- You will find the Islam was perfect religion of the past, present and future.It is a complete religion for the mankind.
USA is a great Country with good people but it is infected by deadly virus. Majority of the people in this country are naive and they need to know about Islam from the books instead of media and Radicals/extremists in Islam, christianity or Jewish. Most christians even do not know the basic that muslims believe in JESUS(as a Prophet).
This tradition of treating POW with respect goes back to the time of the Prophet(Peace Be Upon Him)
When the prisoners back them would say "Bless be the men of Mecca, they give us their last bread while they content themselves with dates and water".
Being a Muslim it icredibally angers me to see the pictures that were published yet although angered i dont think that even for justice or revenge i could do the same to the perpetrators, i just couldnt. i only pray that Allah gives strength to the freedom fighters in Iraq and eventually Kick the occupiers out.
If we muslims sleep like this, these Christians and Jews terrorist will surely wipe out muslims. They very well know that they can NOT touch Islam or win Islam. Thats why they choose to humiliate, kill, rape muslims all over the world.
Remember, in Nigeria, CHRISTIAN TERRORISTS are murdering Muslims now. Can you imagine how cheap a muslim's life is? Can you imagine how easily they are targetting muslims and killing muslims.
In todays world, killing muslims has become very easy and for most of the Christians and Jews its become hobby.