Kerry, his Senate testimony and Abu Ghraib

[Michael Costello]

I keep seeing conservatives talking about how Kerry went to the Capitol and told stories about Vietnam atrocities and this was untrue and a disservice to soldiers. I am surprised that they are doing so even after the pictures coming from Abu Ghraib prison. Isn't this a reminder that such things happen in war? Don't people remember My Lai and similar incidents from Vietnam? I think everyone knows these things go on during war time (or during peace time - Dan Mitrione from the US OPS used to wire up prisoners and torture them with electricity in Uruguay in the late 1960's). I think everyone realizes these things go on, and they are just saying what he said was untrue because they felt compelled to. It is a wiggle phrase inserted, what they are really saying is he should be quiet about the reality of what is going on, because it makes people uncomfortable with going to war. I can't believe they're still attacking Kerry for this.

While much blame will be assigned to grunts and NCOs in Abu Ghraib, I blame more their superiors up to the Commander-in-Chief, and even beyond him to his wealthy supporters, who I see as the ones truly to blame, as they are the ones who really set the wheels of this all in motion.

[drthais]

1. there is NO comparison

I simply refuse to sit by
and read without comment
a post that infers that
"these things go on"

"these things" did not just 'happen'
unlike the Vietnam references you cite
the troops (or WHOEVER they are) in the photos
are not under fire, are not under duress
are not paranoid that any ten-year-old child or grandmother
may blow them to smithereens
and other paranoia

these are young american IDIOTS
I dont want to hear about levels of TRAINING
I don't want to hear about a lack of 'understanding'
of Geneva COnventions

the people who commited the atrocities
are low-life idiots...
ignorant uneducated morons
the WORST of american society
I don't care whether they are soldiers]
that does not excuse them

how DARE the powers-that-be
slough off responsibility
and even decommission or 're-assign' these criminals

they should be publicaly on trial
they should, if found guilty, go to jail

and the international community should have a say-so