Abuse by American Soldiers.....

[hentob]

The photos of American soldiers abusing POWs has me sickened in so many ways. First of all, not to make excuses, but I think these men and women are spent. Perhaps half insane (I am not joking) and these photos are proof of that. Just proof of what war will do to a human.

Also, this is not very good for future Americans that are held hostage by the enemy. Payback will be harsh

When will this all be over

 

[Microcell]

I understand your frustration, but maybe it is better discussed on the Debate Board?

 

[missypie]

Hentob, I've been thinking the same thing...woe be to our folks who are captured in the future!

 

[kpgclark]

I am really annoyed that the news agencies put those images out there. It does nothing but politically harm the US. I'm not condoning the act of those GI's at all. Their behaviour was outrageous and they should be kicked out of the service. I'm saying that the media should not have run the images.

 

[slo]

Originally posted by kpgclark
I'm saying that the media should not have run the images.

I could not agree more!!!! If the news insists on showing these photos they should save it for the evening/late edition of the news. Anymore, I am scared to death to leave my DD by the tv when the news is on during the hours she is awake - she is 5 1/2. The news is just getting to explicit!!

 

[kpgclark]

I don't think the EVER should have shown them. Now everyone who was under the control of the old Iraqi government will think we're as bad as they were! I mean we are supposed to be freeing them. They have to be wondering what to expect once they are freed. Humiliation? Degradation?

 

[DawnCt]

Originally posted by kpgclark
I am really annoyed that the news agencies put those images out there. It does nothing but politically harm the US. I'm not condoning the act of those GI's at all. Their behaviour was outrageous and they should be kicked out of the service. I'm saying that the media should not have run the images.

I agree. Al Jazeera is having a field day with this. While the Iraqi prisoners were abused, and I am appalled by that, they weren't maimed, killed and hung from a bridge as our American civilians were. The Army will mete out the appropriate justice and were investigating and pursuing charges well before CBS sought ratings. I think it is a disservice to the vast majority of our military to aire the behavior of a very, small, minority. I would like to see Al Jazeera as outraged about our dead as they are about these photos.

 

[kpgclark]

And you know that the media is heavily regulated over there. I'm sure there is virtually no press on how their own people were abused. They get only one side of the story and we've screwed ourselves. I think CBS/60 minutes were disgusting in airing that story. They obviously don't care about how we are impacted in the world-wide political arena. They just care about ratings. I won't be watching that show again.

Does anyone know if CBS is catching any grief over the story?

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

Originally posted by Microcell
I understand your frustration, but maybe it is better discussed on the Debate Board?

Congratulations on your new job as mod, but I fail to see the debate.

 

[hentob]

I really didn't start this thread to have a debate. Just wanted to post my opinion. I really think that war makes people do things that they would not have done pre-deployment.

Also, future Americans taken into captivity will pay for what was photographed.


That's all. No debate from me.

 

[tigercat]

I am just wondering if the images were not on the news (or in the paper) then would you believe that it had really happened? And then of course if it didn't "happen" then the people would not be punished. But then of course we all know that the people that really need to be looked at won't really be looked at because it is only the bottom people who will get in trouble but I thought the military was such that the top brass was responsible for everything but this probably be different.
tigercat

 

[Keli]

The American soldiers that did this make me so angry. I realize that they themselves are pretty angry at the Iraqis right now but that is no excuse. Titus is a mild mannered guy but the bitterness towards iraqi insurgents comes across loud and clear by him and other soldiers when they speak of them. And for good reason, I would be none too fond of the guys shooting rpg's, mortar rounds, small arms, not to mention all the bombs they are planting for our troops. Nevertheless, the troops had no right to treat these prisoners the way they did and they did more damage to the US Army than all the liberal politicians, hollywood types, and journalist put together. And the President is right--It is UnAmerican. I hope we throw the book at them!

 

[Mamu]

Sadly there are abusers in all walks of life. We as a humane society like to think our military is free of these kinds of people. It is not. People who hate, are capable of unthinkable deeds.

As disturbing as these photo are, Americans should be aware of this, even in the military there are people who have no respect for human dignity. I feel the photo needed to be shown.

I would never have believed this was going on, seeing is believing. No one wants to see, or believe we are capable of the same things we are fighting against.

These terrible acts need to be brought out, dealt with sternly, no matter how high up the ladder this goes. Corrections made so things like this never happen again.

These soldiers are not insane, they take pleasure in their unthinkable deeds. We cannot believe the evils that lurk in men and women. Yet we have to believe and bring them out into the open as disturbing as they are.

 

[kpgclark]

I think they should have kept the whole thing confidential within the military so that it wouldn't harm us globally. Why does the general population have to know this anyhow?