We all know how the US media has an agenda. Just p*ssed me off that so many want to harp on the US when you should start cleaning up your own backyard first. I wonder if its true that Fox News channel is in China, but not Canada? Not to mention the Draft Dodgers, Muslim Courts, etc. And didn't the LAX intended car bomber come from Vancouver?
Of course the I like to hear arguments on both sides which is why I watch/listen to all types of posts and opinions. I know a lot of it is swill, but I can make up my own mind w/out being degrading. Look at Jessica Lynch. She got more medals, accolades and publicity that Pat Tillman ever did. Not to mention that 'staged' rescue. As far as the unacceptable torture of Iraqi POW's, its a terrible thing, and there is NO way that it should go unpunished. Not only because it violates basic human rights and the laws of war, but it will only make the resistance fighters fight until the bitter end, for fear of being treated the same. Treating prisoners like this fails every time which is why those Military Officers in the know stopped doing it a long time ago. It's much easier to take a prisoner when he knows that he'll be treated humanely, get meals and needed sleep. If he knows he's going to be tortured and beaten most are gonna fight a lot harder.
Recently there have also been drastic rises in terrorism and the organized ambushes. As you can imagine these acts also increase the stress level of the soldiers. During times of conflict and war, the suicide rates will rise. A lot of soldiers get Dear John letters from their wives and girlfiends. This added to the fact you're in the middle of a combat zone, you're highly stressed and pretty miserable, then your tour gets extended.
I think the torture was caused by this kinda stress, and by a feeling of "we have to get even with these ppl, no matter what". Obviously, this is simply wrong, and those soldiers plus those in command need some time in a Courts Martial to think about their actions. Those soldiers are about as representative of the US Armed Forces as this guy represents Canadien Hockey...
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/04/30/sports2355EDT0597.DTL Seems to be a pattern, eh?
I suppose the Aussies & Kiwis were also just being selfish...
http://www.abc.net.au/enoughrope/stories/s1093604.htm
The Medical Corp - you were straight out of medical school. You were captured at the fall of Singapore and you were taken as a Japanese prisoner of war to Burma. Were the Japanese as cruel as history suggests?
I don't know what history suggests, but there's...nothing could suggest or state which would exaggerate the way they were.
Too bad Cops, Firemen, the Military didn't feel like taking the easy way out or turning their backs on those they serve. Wonder what your reaction would be then?
P.S.: "Act like an *sshole, you get treated like an *sshole!"
