Reality Check
Published May 02, 2004
As I said, I think it only goes to prove that there are no absolutes in this world. The American men and women who engaged in these crimes should be court marshaled. They have only made things worse for everyone in this world. But to say that they are typical of the American military is disingenuous at best. Atrocities are committed by individuals in every part of the world. What better place for sociopaths and rejects to hide than in the military? What better place to ply their trade than war time? At the same time, you have some very noble people who think that they are defending their beliefs and the safety of their homeland joining the armed forces. You also have people who are just there to collect a check. Just as with any group or community, you are going to get a cross section of the population - the good, the bad, and the ugly. To make a bold statement to condemn the whole organization just doesn't work in this case. Not when it is easy to show example of abuse on all sides.
Finally, I want to once again make clear that I do not support the war in Iraq, the Bush administration on anyone into the new "Manifest Destiny/Pax Americana" that is so popular these days. There is no "I'm right, you're wrong." The truth is that everything is so much more layered and complex than this and intelligent people need to be able to slow down and digest all the information before condemning. People need to see the truth is the truth from so many sides and sometimes the truth is neither wrong or right, but simply is. Sometimes, it takes complicated solutions to solve complicated problems.
- Reality Check
- Published: May 02, 2004
- Type:
- Section: Culture
- Writer: Ms. Tek
- Ms. Tek's BC Writer page
- Ms. Tek's personal site
- Spread the Word
- Like this article?
- Email this
Save to del.icio.us
Comments on this articleComments
No doubt its the tip of the iceberg. This doesn't mean that these actions are typical of Americans, British, Italians, etc.
Bad people get in put in uniform. If you are not watching what is going on, they are bound to start doing bad thing. This shows a real fuck up in the chain of command and that perhaps this was not thought out as much as it should have been. It has no bearing however if the US should be in Iraq or not.
Mind you, I am AGAINST being in Iraq. I still don't think its right however to paint something in a way that is misrepresentive of what it is just to get your way. That is a fallacy and a lie.
I agree with your assessment, maybe not the part where this is being painted as misrepresentative, for the reason of achieving an objective, but I agree it's not typical of what Americans want and that it shows clear problems in the commanding of troops.
Good or bad, they are all trained to be good, mean green killing machines.Send them to this hell in Iraq, and am I suprised it brings out the worst in some? No. Reality check.
Doesn't mean it's not unacceptable, sheri.
The Pictures:
http://www.thememoryhole.org/war/iraqis_tortured/
The "60 Minutes II" story:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/27/60II/main614063.shtml
Feedback on the story:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/29/60II/main614799.shtml
It's good to hear someone from the anti-war side reason this way.
It makes me willing to be more receptive to Ms. Teks views in the future.
Being from a military family, I've heard just as bad if not worse. Acceptable? No.Surprising? No.
Excellent post, Tek: thoughtful, realistic, balanced, showing original thought. Thanks!
Yeah, I agree, good post.
Tek, just curious: I thought you wouldn't be posting here anymore? I'm not trying to drive you off or anything; you are of course encouraged to contribute.
Perhaps you had a change-of-heart? Or did I misread the "I've decided to make myself scarce 'round here" comment you made recently?
Dear RJ...
Reality check for you.... Last time I looked, you weren't part of the staff here. So far as I know, only Eric and Phillip are members. I don't need your approval or disapproval. You have about as much influence on me as ox flatulence might have on a macaw. In case that example is hard for you to understand, let me clarify:
I could give a rat's ass what you think or what your motives are.
Now, something else perhaps you should study in school ( and this has nothing to do with if I am a liberal, a commie, a pinko, or a slut/whore but the fact that I was taught the wonders of a good thesaurus and the use of idioms).
The definition of scarce is to be absent, rare. I don't post on this site even half as much as I used to. You'll just have to deal with the bits of me that you see. Or you can just do us both a favor and not even read it when you see my name. For the most part, I use that guidance with you and it seems to work swimmingly.
Have a pleasant evening. I know I will.
Geez. I was only asking a reasonable question. Like I said, I encourage you to post here. I don't want to see you (or any BlogCritic) leave.
But thanks for the clarification. :-]
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/15302)
Hi Ms. Tek,
according to Amesty International, this is only the tip of the iceberg and they have uncovered widespread torture and abuse being committed by the coalition troops.