letter to editor

[strandinthewind]

A friend of a friend sent this to a local newspaper. I though you all might find it interesting, etc.

Dear Editor:

I am a bit shocked at how much attention the Iraqi abuse scandal is drawing. Here's why:

1. Is this not the same administration that led us unilaterally to war saying they really didn't care what others in the world thought, including the UN? Why does world opinion matter now?

2. Is this not the same administration that led us to war saying that international laws governing war and preemptive attack do not matter? Why are they so upset about the Geneva Convention?

3. Is this not the same administration that told us "the enemy" is 100% evil (not even human, really) and that we Americans are all good and true and free and honorable. If "the enemy" is all evil, does it matter that they are beaten and electrocuted and sexually molested? I simply can't understand why it should.

4. Is this not the same administration that morphed a war on terror into a war on Iraq? And if these "enemies" are all just one group of "evil, terrorist thugs," and if America is free to hold them hostage in Cuba insisting that the Geneva Convention does not apply, why are we surprised that the troops on the ground can't distinguish the "evil terrorist thugs" in Cuba from the "evil terrorist thugs" in Iraq? Why on earth should an uneducated kid of 20 years from the hills of Arkansas be expected to act in a manner more humane and distinguishing than the President of the United States? Beats me!

5. Is this not a president who was elected to office swaggering and bragging that he had never been to Europe? If American pride and ignorant swagger of that sort is extolled at the very top of the "chain of command," why is it surprising that the troops on the ground would have little respect for those of other cultures and lands?

6. Finally, I can't resist mentioning this: Our military is still a moral high ground where people like me would never, ever be welcomed--unless we lie, of course. So thank goodness that homophobia had nothing to do with this! Look at those pictures of men doing things to other naked men. Thank God we know the military is so far above anything to do with homophobia that the horror of that specter need pass without mention!

So, it seems to me that this recent and uncovered abuse started right at the top. It is the poisoned fruit of a poisoned tree. The Bush rhetoric over the past few years has created an environment where this type of thing is not only possible, but even perhaps perceived as morally good. We are the good, holy, free, human, crusaders, after all! And they are the "evil, terrorist thugs." Let's just keep that in mind.

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