This cartoon by Steve Bell from the Guardian says it all.
What galls me is the fact that, even though the marines need to be punished, I hate hearing this nonsense from Bush, punishing the marines , but he himself goes scott free with his duplicity in A) going to Iraq illegally, effectively becoming a war criminal, B) intentionally having allowed his cronies to set up shop in Guantanamo Bay in order to get away with the (il)legalities of torture.
Yes, anyone perpetrating murder and torture on any side, towards civilians, military personnel, 'enemy combatant' or not, should receive exacting punishments. Too bad that these men are made to pay solely for PR reasons.
Sorry boys (and girls)...morality and ethics training won't cut it for anyone (US troops, Iraqi civilians) living in a country that has a civil war raging. It's not that simple. Start at the top (here at home), that's how you can start cleaning up your act.
I'm so glad that you see it that way.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly what I was arguing here.
The real criminals are the people who lied to ensure the war in which this atrocity took place.
...real criminals are the idiots who voted for him the 2nd time knowing full well what they were getting, and the ones who couldnt get their lame candidate to go through the first time...
ReplyDeleteas far as the rest of the world is concerned, all americans and equally to blame...
Kel, since I have discovered many other people's blogs over the last several weeks, I have felt that I found many kindred spirits, politically and it makes me feel a whole lot better to know that there are quite a few discerning, research oriented people out there. As for Anonymous, I have likened the people who do not want to know what's going on and 'pretend' everything is hunky dory to the silent church in nazi Germany. The official church kept silent even though they suspected something was afoot, that aside from the obvious, love God but above all Mammom (well, Hitler) mantra that was floating around. I am with you, if people, media alike, keep silent and do not activitely pursue trying to right the wrongs, they are just as guilty.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I see what Anon is saying. I live it and many do blame Americans as much as the govt. There was a time when I truly wished I wasn't an American... sometimes I still do.
ReplyDeleteWhen you're recruiting guys that are 17, 18, 19, 20 and such, these things are bound to happen. It all reminds me of Vietnam... it grows dimmer by the day.
Tooners, good to see you back. I thought you'd be too busy with your new site and 'life'. I'll check out to see your new site if it's up. Sadly, a lot of American expatriats see things the way you do. It is because of the luxury of having a bit of distance that makes you see things more clearly.
ReplyDeleteMash, I am not hopeful at all. So many people miss out on good and sharp critique and info because people who are naturally discerning, have and will turn to alternative (news) sources such as blogs although that's just one way. The masses of people who's votes get people elected are the ones that need to be reached and mainstream media, which has the numbers, are just too unwilling to either stick their necks out or are busy doing the number crunching so that their advertisers come back. Let's cross our fingers and hope that yours, Kel's, any of the other anti torture bloggers will make enough of a noise or a difference so that mainstream has to pick 'something' up..one can only hope,
Ingrid
Honestly, I think a lot of Americans could care less. They don't want to see it, they don't want to hear about. As long as they're not bothered - and their day to day lives/goings on aren't interrupted - then all is good. Sadly, these killings will be swept under the rug... ppl will talk about it, the media will talk about it... but then nothing.
ReplyDeleteHaven't been working on the site at all. Been painting mainly... and trying to concentrate on my writing... and reading, and watching some TV... nothing w/ the site tho. I need my husband's help w/ some of it, and his schedule is hectic right now, so... things have been shelved for the time being.
tooners, sorry for the delay. Good to see you though. If life takes you to paint and relax than that's what you need. Hope work is not stressing you as much and I am sorry btw that you feel pessimistic about the state of American apathy. It is maddening and frightening and very depressing when you think of it. Especially when you live here! Do let me know when your new site will be up as I'd love to check it out..hugs
ReplyDeleteIngrid
I aim to break up the monotony of the white part of the blog. However, I want it to have a clean enough look so it doesn't distract and makes it easy on the eyes..glad you like it..
ReplyDeleteIngrid