Thursday, October 20, 2005
Once More Into The Breach....
This Jury Duty thing is playing havoc with my blogging capabilities, but this is too important not to make time to get up -- forgive me any incoherence that may result from the excessive hours involved.
It seems that in the US, everyone is presumed innocent save for the US Military. The latest accusations surround the descration of Taliban bodies in Afghanistan.
Before we look at anything else, I have to say this. The military is not some monolithic entitiy with complete control over every movement of its every member. This is American, remember? -- we don't do that. So, it is possible that these things could happen, but if they did, does it reflect poorly on the US military in general? NO! Not unless the military ordered or condoned such actions.
The military most emphatically DID NOT order, nor does it condone such actions. Don't ask me, ask them. From one CENTCOM press release from yesterday
Stories like this are generally met with indifference (in this case a little justified since its not like we care much what happens to the Taliban) or "See I told you so, bunch of killers." I am not sure there is much we can do about the military hating wack-jobs, they are past reason, but the indifference is a different story.
The military is a professional organization (I am currently reading a book on Patton and Rommel which contains a discussion of the relative merits of a mass-conscript vs. a volunteer professional force -- fascinating stuff, but I digress). Part of that professionalism concerns the conduct of all in the organization. When indiviuals in that organization do not behave in the manner demanded by the organization, morale suffers. People take pride in being in the military, as well they should, and they do not want their good efforts besmirched by the heinous actions of a few. The best solution is to disprove the accusation of weed out the malefactors.
And we can help. Tell a soldier you know, that you know they would never do such a thing. Write CENTCOM (button in sidebar) and support their investigative efforts. If you see a "See I told you so" piece somewhere, write the editor and tell him they are jumping to conclusions. Don't let these allegations do the damage they could do -- that's part of supporting our troops too.
It seems that in the US, everyone is presumed innocent save for the US Military. The latest accusations surround the descration of Taliban bodies in Afghanistan.
Before we look at anything else, I have to say this. The military is not some monolithic entitiy with complete control over every movement of its every member. This is American, remember? -- we don't do that. So, it is possible that these things could happen, but if they did, does it reflect poorly on the US military in general? NO! Not unless the military ordered or condoned such actions.
The military most emphatically DID NOT order, nor does it condone such actions. Don't ask me, ask them. From one CENTCOM press release from yesterday
Under no circumstances does U.S. Central Command condone the desecration, abuse or inappropriate treatment of enemy combatants. Such actions are contrary to U.S. policy as well as the Geneva Convention.In another press release they announce an immediate investigation, and if necessary there will doubtlessly be a prosecution.
"This command takes all allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behavior seriously and has directed an investigation into circumstances surrounding this allegation," said Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya, Combined Joint Task Force-76 Commander. "If the allegation is substantiated, the appropriate course of action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and corrective action will be taken."For more coverage see Blackfive and the Times of London.
Stories like this are generally met with indifference (in this case a little justified since its not like we care much what happens to the Taliban) or "See I told you so, bunch of killers." I am not sure there is much we can do about the military hating wack-jobs, they are past reason, but the indifference is a different story.
The military is a professional organization (I am currently reading a book on Patton and Rommel which contains a discussion of the relative merits of a mass-conscript vs. a volunteer professional force -- fascinating stuff, but I digress). Part of that professionalism concerns the conduct of all in the organization. When indiviuals in that organization do not behave in the manner demanded by the organization, morale suffers. People take pride in being in the military, as well they should, and they do not want their good efforts besmirched by the heinous actions of a few. The best solution is to disprove the accusation of weed out the malefactors.
And we can help. Tell a soldier you know, that you know they would never do such a thing. Write CENTCOM (button in sidebar) and support their investigative efforts. If you see a "See I told you so" piece somewhere, write the editor and tell him they are jumping to conclusions. Don't let these allegations do the damage they could do -- that's part of supporting our troops too.
