Disturbing but powerful diary at Kos. What goes on in our name.

[madfloridian]

Just a short snippet, it is powerful, disturbing. It is the top recommended diary at Kos right now, linking to the Black Commentator and an article by Paul Rockwell.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/10/92255/0807

A US Reservist tells his story (may be disturbing for sensitive readers)
by DuctapeFatwa

Sun Apr 10th, 2005 at 08:22:55 EST
"I don't really have a lot of commentary to add to this, those of you who pray, please pray for this man, and for his family, that they come to no harm."

Aiden Delgado, an Army Reservist in the 320th Military Police Company, served in Iraq from April 1st , 2003 through April 1st, 2004. After spending six months in Nasiriyah in Southern Iraq, he spent six months helping to run the now-infamous Abu Ghraib prison outside of Baghdad......"

SNIP..."I first met Delgado in a classroom at Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California, where he presented a slide show on the atrocities that he himself observed in Southern and Northern Iraq.
Delgado says he observed mutilation of the dead, trophy photos of dead Iraqis, mass roundups of innocent noncombatants, positioning of prisoners in the line of fire - all violations of the Geneva conventions. His own buddies - decent, Christian men, as he describes them - shot unarmed prisoners."

[suziedemocrat]

1. This is horrible!

How do they get people to act like this?

[undergroundpanther]

2. Dehumanization

Bullies can do it because people who are not bullies stand by and let the inequality go unchallenged..
Authoritarian social structures create this.

[FreedomAngel82]

3. Yep

So disgusting. These people will have PTSD for the rest of their lives. Bush and his ilk ruined these people's lives and souls. Damn them all. All these innocent people. :cry: I wonder what will happen once the soliders come home and know the truth that Bush used them?

[Benbow]

9. Save your pity for the Iraqis - why don't you talk about the Iraqis' PTSD?

I find this everywhere on the web - Americans emoting sentimentally about the hurt feelings of out-of-control US soldiers who have contravened the US' own rules of military discipline (not just the Geneva Convention) - and not one word or sorrow or regret about the abuse by the US military of Iraqi human rights, widowed women, orphaned children, traumatised communities. It is just revolting when one sees that only your own dead and screwed-up count. Bush to The Hague. All of your administration, your military top brass, to The Hague.

[madfloridian]

11. That is totally not true.

There has been so much sadness for the Iraqis here. How could you know if you have not been here long.

Those of us who were against this war are heartbroken. You need to do a search here. Not true what you said.

We have been fighting that Iraq invasion here since 2002.

[tofubo]

4. the military removes your humanity

you no longer are a independent thinking human being, you are a mind-numbed (think religious fox watching apologist) automaton that has no individual rights (you are a piece of property, prove me wrong) that HAS to do what they are told (what is an order if not something to be followed, no questions asked), any inherent racism or sexism that you brought into the game can easily be reinforced to make you a more productive so_djer to fight the enemy, which can blur the difference between combatant and non-combatant, when the truth of fallujah comes out, we will see that WE were the ones committing acts of terrorism against innocent civilians and insurgents, by not caring that there is a difference between the two

[Adelante]

5. DuctapeFatwa

Sounds familiar.

[madfloridian]

7. Gone.

Another casualty.

[graywarrior]

6. I've talked with Aiden a few times and saw his first preentation

at New College in Sarasota. He talked to a packed house and is an honest and effective, although untrained, speaker. I first met him at the Edwards/Cheney debate, which was being televised at the college. Several of us suggested he get his information together and present it to as many people who would listen.

He is brave and I hope he is not in danger. He speaks the truth.

[madfloridian]

8. Glad to hear from someone who heard him speak.

Not much has gotten out about his speeches. Maybe that will change and soon.

[graywarrior]

10. He is persistent and effective speaker.

He comes across as very sincere, does not take political sides and seems very concerned about the things he has witnessed. I'd love to hear him interviewed by Amy Goodman.

[RAF]

12. once all the dust settles

even more egregious stories will come pouring out and we Americans will be the face of modern Hitlers for many decades to come.

Damn this modern day republican party for what they have done to our country! Damn them to hell!:mad: