One would suspect that the Iraqi military would go out of their way to exhibit compassion to American POWs. American privates, corporal and sergeants are making life and death decisions regarding Iraqi POWs every minute of every day. They do not necessarily suffer from the same moral dilemmas as the generals. After the 12th SS Panzer Division summarily executed about 50 Canadian prisoners on June 6-7/1944, Canadian infantry rarely took SS prisoners. I have heard many stories from those who were there that you don't read in the history books.
Executing American POWs I was somewhat neutral on the issue of war, until I learned that the Iraqis are executing American POWs who are not resisting arrest. It makes my blood boil and it makes me want to re-enlist so I can get shipped to Iraq to fight. All the American soldiers should be briefed on the executions. It means that it is better for Americans who are surrounded by superior forces to "fight to the death" instead of surrendering. Why surrender if you're going to be executed?
Very heart wrenching situation. It highlights the difference between the way the US/Coalition is conducting the war. We are avoiding civilian areas and treating Iraqi POWs with dignity, going out of our way to avoid killing folks. If there can be such as thing as a humane war, this would appear to be the case as conducted by the coalition. Our ethics are interesting in light of the behavior of others. Hopefully our behavior will continue to be a beacon to the world. We need to pray for the safety of our troops, for the safety of Iraqi civilians, and for a quick end to the war. North
Iraqi POWs Ambush Americans The media is now reporting that some Iraqis are pretending to surrender by coming out in the open while holding up white flags. But it is really a ruse to ambush the Americans. Naturally, when the Americans see the Iraqis holding white flags and coming out in the open, they let down their guard and the Americans got close enough to make contact with the Iraqis (to apprehend them) when the Iraqis suddenly opened fire on the Americans. It was an ambush. This reportedly happened more than once.
It seems there are female POWs. I'm very sad right now. http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/03/23/sprj.irq.war.main/index.html
I am feeling tearful now. I remember how proud I felt when I was a kid...back in 1976, I remember watching "Kung Fu" on TV, and how they interrupted the show for a celebration the the Centennial. I remember feeling pride. I joined the Navy when I got older, and I remember being coerced into singing "Proud to Be An American" in order to graduate boot camp. I was embarassed, because I can't sing well, but I remember the feelings that song evoked. I can't say I'm so proud now. My "reality" cherry has been popped, so to speak. I don't understand why we are at war right now. I recall having a clear, distinct sense of right and wrong nailed to my psyche. My president won't tell me or show me a clear connection between 9/11 and this war, so I can't really buy into it. But nevermind. THere is a great sales pitch and 24 hour coverage on the news to sell it to me. It doesn't have the same meaning to me though, as the "Spirit of 1776" stuff. I'm sad mostly because I've lost my naive connection to my country.
That's just lovely, BUT, Let's focus on the matter at hand: Whether we like it or not, our boys are over there fighting. When they get home safely, we can argue about this countrie's actions until the cows come home. What was it that one Delta said to the Army Ranger in Blackhawk Down, "Once you here that first shot fly by, all politics go out the window." Best Regards, Bill
I guess you missed the last nine years or so we spent trying to get Sadaam to divest himself of the weapons of mass destruction, I guess you missed the murderous brutality of Sadaam, I guess you missed Sadaam supporting homicide bombings on children outside his country, I guess you missed the fact that Sadaam recently used weapons he allegedly did not have, I guess you missed the recently captured chemical plant (whether it turns out to be a chemical weapons plant will have to wait until it is fully examined), I guess you missed the stalling tactics & deception with the weapons inspectors. I appreciate your niavete and we need voices on the other side but all it takes for evil to flourish is for good men/women to do nothing. Thankfully the niave & isolationist voices prior to WWII did not win out or we probably would have had a significantly different outcome. If Sadaam is paying people to murder innocent civilians in another country it is no stretch to say that with chemical & biological weapons he could comfortable export them for use here. I am thankful for our brave men and women who are making a sacrifice (some the ultimate) in order to preserve the greater good. They will hopefully liberate the citizens of Iraq from an oppressive dictator and his heir apparents (don't let me get started on his oldest sons muderous history). With hope they will make the middle east a little safer but that depends on its residents. North
What greater good is being served at war in Iraq? Tell me. I really want to know. We put Saddam in place. We put the Taliban in place. We have no guarantee this war will not lead to similar regimes. It is okay to frame this war in terms of "what do we get" but I take issue with framing it in terms of "the greater good". I don't see a greater good being served here, and it is offensive to me to try to seat this war in such terms. The beneficiaries of this war are the rich. Historically, militaries are used to fight wars of the aristocracy. Off on a tangent... ...if the eurodollar gets strong, and we maintain a war-mongering administration, I foresee more such wars, under the guise of "greater good" and anti-terrorism. We are fighting for control of economies, not for morality. I really don't think the former is worth dying for.
When POW's have a face` I, too, am mad...very mad. I fought in Panama in '89 and believe wholeheartedly that when we disagree with the "why" - we still should support our troops. I am currently on active duty in the Army - if have to go - I will go. I still believe that America is a great country. It sickens me to watch the numerous demonstrators, especially those in America, speak so blatantly against this effort. I agree with the tenor I read in these posts - support our troops even if you don't approve of the reasons we're there. I, too, have concerns about the types of fall-out that are sure to come within our borders due to this war. I have read the alarmist tendencies of some prophecy pundits and how they feel this war relates to The End. I will leave the debate to those who are much more adept at such matters. Please pray for our troops. Steven King Two of the POW's can be seen here www.arabia.com/newsfeed/article/english/0,14183,382619,00.html
1. I'm proud I served my country in the military 2. I support the deployed (and not deployed) troops 3. I'm proud of the protesters 4. I reserve the right and am proud to criticize this administration's decisions I am a patriot. No more, no less.
Re: Executing American POWs My wife now understands why, during the first Gulf War, all the members of my fire team agreed to not be taken alive. I always kept a .45 magazine containing one round in my grenade pocket, and if I ran out of ammo while still alive, I would have used it on myself. Bruce
Re: Re: Executing American POWs A .45, now that's American. I remember reading an article about the invasion of Panama that wondered where US troops found all the M14s that they carried even though they were out of service for 20 years. 20 years ago Canadian troops had 7.62mm FN FALs, which I thought was the one of the best rifles ever made. Now we have American BB guns too.
I think your naivete is still intact, for better or worse. This war ought to benefit a lot of peope, many of them not at all rich. Have you heard of Saddam's "prisoner shredder?" It's a machine intended to be used to shred plastic for recycling. Eyewitnesses have said they've seen Saddam's henchmen drop prisoners into these shredders. The lucky ones go in head first; their suffering is short. The rest go in feet first. They suffer alot. Keep in mind that it doesn't take much to become a prisoner in Iraq. All it takes is the regime's say so. Our Founders were never naive about the brutality of dictators. I think they would be disheartened if they could believe we have succummed to such simple mindedness. Worse yet, that we could actually pride ourselves on it. Clearly, this war is about more than just economics. Even so, economics are real, and they play an important role in national security. Only the most naive would believe that we should never go to war for economic security, and that such security would benefit only the rich; this war has its own concerns, though. Doing away with those prisoner shredders should be enough in itself.
