Abu Ghraib Abuse Photos

Blowing off steam... nothing you wouldn't see at a fraternity initiation... these innocent photos are now sadly being used for political purposes... where were these complainers when 4 Americans were killed and desecrated... these guards were under stress from being shot at... the interrogations may have yielded some intel...

Glad to see the folks that support personal responsibility for single moms living on a few hundred a month setting such a great example.

 

It's amazing how some people try and rationalize these. They call those that are appalled by them and vocalize that as not loving their country.

Donald Rumsfeld at his testimony, however, called these acts 'unAmerican'. He also said they were contrary to the values of the U.S. So why do those who have rationalized these activities as ok, and claim that they aren't unAmerican respond?

In a related note, has Bamma been banned?

 

There is no excuse for things like these.

 

2 wrongs doesn't make a right.

 

We're supposed to set the example and rise above such things.

 

This is war. This is how our psychological experts think you can get people to talk. None of us are in position to question them. Getting these people to talk saves lives -- both American and Iraqi. Remember, when looking at these pictures, it is important to understand what many of these detainees were doing on the day before capture -- trying to kill Americans. I personally have no problem with torture such as this. Humiliation and sensory deprivation are two tools that *should* be used to save lives. In many cases, it renders physical abuse unnecessary. It also hits hard at the core of these peoples' psyche, which is religion.

Would you have supported this style of interrogation against Mohammed Atta on 9-10-2001 to get him to talk? I darn sure would have. Would you support this style of interrogation on people who just killed your best friend or a family member?

 

Again, I think they may save some lives in the short run, but end up costing many more lives to be lost in the long run. That includes both Iraqi and U.S.

I would not have supported this kind of torture for anybody, no matter who they are.

Remember Donald Rumsfeld called this behavior UnAmerican. By Rumsfeld's standards you are supporting unAmerican activities, and condoning things that go against America's values.

 

T_J, war does not excuse everything. This is against international law and against human dignity. By stooping down to the level of evil nations, the preachers of hate will have an easy task to convince more people to fight against the US and their allies. There is no excuse for torture. Never.

 

Nope.

 

Franchise -- The *spread* of these photos and publicizing of them is what will generate hatred and create more terrorists. The separation must be made between the act and the publication of that act. The one-sided reporting in this situation is what I really have issue with. If they want to be fair, they should document what these detainees did to land themselves in prison, as well as document how they have behaved once inside. That would be fair. What we have seen has been so overwhelmingly lopsided.

SJC -- Talking in absolutes is always dangerous. Torture, when used to save lives, is something I support wholeheartedly.

 

Mr. Meowgi, I see you didn't answer this question. What is your answer?

 

You know there's an easy way for photo's like these to not get out and create more terrorists. Guess what it is.

Still no clue?

Don't do it in the first place. And by the way, it doesn't look like they're doing this for interrogation, it looks like they're doing it for fun. Disguisting either way.

 

Let us create a hypothetical sitution:

A member of al Queda is captured. There is a strong likelihood that this detainee has information that could prevent future attacks on the United States. The detainee won't talk to interrogators. After all techniques which are sanctioned by the Geneva Convention have been implemented, the detainee still won't disclose any information. What do you do? Do you just give up and allow innocent people to die?

It's been some time since we captured Khalid Shaik Mohammed. He probably has been naked with a bag over his head ever since we captured him. Good.

 

I take exception with equating these soldiers to Nazis...If they really wanted to emulate true "torture", they would add young children and sew their backs together...and bake millions of innocent civilians to ashes...

 

Equating the treatment of prisoners to the slaughter of millions of Jews is the height of ignorance. It's beyond ludicrous.

 

You are talking about a clear and imminent danger situation...I watched Rumsfeld's testimony and he made it pretty clear that in the case of these mistreated prisoners, this was NOT the case.

And with regards to your hypothetical scenario, I would probably go as far as some cops go in movies (screaming, pushing, slapping) but I could not imagine to go further than that.

 

If you say it's OK for Americans to abuse and torture POWs, then you're giving Iraqis permission to do the same to American POWs. In essence, you're endorsing the torture of American soldiers.

That you would hold the United States of America to the same ethical standards that Saddam held for his army is absolutely dispicable.

My America doesn't stoop to others' low standards. We demand that they rise to ours.