U.S. rights record criticized

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4650191.html

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN -- U.S. operations in Afghanistan are marred by needless civilian casualties, lawless arrests and the alleged torture of prisoners, Human Rights Watch said today.

The U.S. military rejected the group's findings, saying it "confused the situation" in strife-torn Afghanistan for one where peacetime methods could be used.

The report raised questions for the United States as it embarks on new operations aimed at Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and others. "The behavior of the United States sends the message that the U.S. operates on a set of double standards," the New York-based rights group said, referring to Washington's criticism of other countries' human rights records.

The 50-page report said the military used excessive force to capture suspects in residential areas.

In one raid detailed in the report, a farmer was killed by gunfire during an arrest operation aimed at another man and his two sons -- all of whom were later released.

<snip>

[politick]

1. Well

>>The U.S. military rejected the group's findings, saying it "confused the situation" in strife-torn Afghanistan for one where peacetime methods could be used.

I guess we'll just have to accept that unacceptable numbers of innocent people will have to die in a war footing, and also accept that we can do nothing to prevent war.

That makes things much easier...

[iamjoy]

2. Why Are We Surprised?

This administration and its supporters have indicated that we (Americans) must sacrifice our civil liberties, our constitutional rights to fight this War on Terror.

Why should we be surprised to find out that far worse takes place in Afghanistan?

[sonias]

3. "U.S. operates on a set of double standards"

True, you are either with us or against us, good or evil, an republican defined Democracy or a potential dictatorship we must topple, Christian or heathen, black or white, straight or gay, rich or poor, oil consuming or oil suppling, the most powerful military in the world or our enemy anytime we want. A compassionate republican voter or a liberal unpatriotic democrat.
God blesses America because, God is on our side. And he hates all the rest of the world because republicans say so.
This simplistic message brought to you by the BFEE

:evilgrin:

Sonia

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

4. This appears to be a dupe (too late to edit the original) pls continue

at this link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x406453