Conservatives and War Crimes
by RonChusidJust because you’re a hawk doesn’t mean you have to continue to support every war, even when it is clear it is a mistake. Nor is it necessary for an honest hawk to overlook war crimes. John Murtha has spoken out about the killing of civilians in Haditha. Others verify his account. For example, “Military officials told NBC News that the Marine Corps’ own evidence appears to show Murtha is right.”
Murtha shows that it is possible to be a hawk and still be a man of honor. Reaction in the conservative blogosphere shows that it is less likely to be a conservative blogger and still show honor. The authoritarianism and lack of integrity of many right wing bloggers is seen as they prefer to seen such war crimes covered up, and attack those who are willing to speak the truth. California Conservative calls Murtha a traitor (similar to the way in which right wing blogs continue to call Kerry a traitor for his testimony on war crimes during the Vietnam war, also ignoring the fact that Kerry’s statements have been verified as true).
I can’t help but wonder if there is any point at which seeing evidence of war crimes these conservative/authoritarian bloggers wouldn’t come down on the side of attacking those who expose the act instead of those who committed it. If the internet was around in the 1960’s Stanley Milgrom could have saved the trouble of doing his experiments. He could have proven the capacity of people of any country to blindly follow authority, regardless of the extent of the misuse of power, by simply quoting the conservative blogosphere.
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[...] hese blogs are also rightly outraged at the sick reaction of the right-wing noise machine, Conservatives and War Crimes, The Difference Between Left And Right, Haditha Civilian [...]
I am interested to know what you think about his comments regarding how he “can’t say” if the Geneva Conventions apply to contractors–comment on my blog, defensecontractor.blogspot.com.
Classic example of what happens when people are put in a war and become hypersensitive to the danger. This is the consequence we need to consider when we think we need to send people to war to kill others. In asking a human to kill for their country, which is worse than asking them to die for it (well known that enen the cops who kill violent felons have trouble with it), we sentence them to a life long psychological burden. Those who succumb to this kind of violent reaction suffer that much more – whether they ever face official charges.
The disconnect on whether the Geneva Conventions should apply to contractors is just unbelievable. Why would they not be required to follow the same rules as the military? Why isn’t it in the contract?
Where is the logic and responsibility of the American Military to outsource work to private contractors and not hold them to the same standards the military would be held to? The Geneva Convention is a treaty we agreed to operate under in military conditions. The fact that we choose to contract privately for some military operations, should not alleviate any firm we contract with from the legal responsibility to stay within the standards of the convention.
Ultimately, why would any company want to do things that could ultimately damage their own reputation, let alone the willingness of other countries to allow any American business to operate in their state?
First of all Murtha has every right as a war veteran Marine to voice his opinion, In fact he may be correct in his views.
Secondly. I was an Infantyman in Vietnam and in my view Kerry lied, that’s my opinion.
Joe
Double standards? Kerry too is a war veteran and also has a right to voice his opinion. You are entitled to your opinion but it’s well documented that atrocities occured in Vietnam. Don’t be dropping the Kerry lied crap around here again.
Joe,
Get a grip. Kerry reported what he heard at the Winter’s Soldiers conference. There are a whole ton of folks who may have regretted what they said; but what was said was reported by Kerry.
Think about it. Kerry is one of the few who tried to get the troops out of VN and again out of Iraq.
In other words, he tried to save folks like you. At times, I wonder if it was worth the effort. My time in VN was just a few days so I missed combat entirely. Kerry should be praised for trying to end VN and Iraq; not vilified by those too lazy to get the facts.
We thank you for your service. If you really want to get pissed, bang nn Bush for:
Gutting VA benefits
Means-testing VA admission
Sending troops into combat without body armor or ammored vehicles
Not enough troops
Not enough supplies;
If Kerry (or Gore) were President (both VN vets) do you think we would be in this mess?
I don’t understand the undieing devotion to a man and an administration made up of lazy cowards.
If you want to suport someone who really understands veterans, war, how to fight it and how to prevent it then welcome to the party.
If you want to support the current clueless jack-ass president who treats soldiers like toilet paper to be used and abused then you must have lost your backbone in VN.
Battlebob
{{{applause}}} Well said.
Joe,
You may believe Kerry lied for political reasons, but can you come up with any evidence that he lied? The fact of the matter is that everything he said has been verified. He accurately conveyed what was said at the Winter Soldiers conference. His main charges regarding war crimes were with regards to the free fire zones, which have been verified as true.
Furthermore, if you ignore all the political spin and look at Kerry’s actual testimony you will see that he was testifying in support of the soldiers, including the unfair treatment they were receiving from the US Government, and the unust situation they were placed in by leaders who gave orders in violation of international law.
If Kerry was trying to help his political future he would have kept his mouth shut and pocketed his medals. Instead he has tried to end two misguided conflicts.
To criticize him for this shows an absolute lack of character and honor; as well as total lack of knowledge about the issues and the person.