i stopped watching because it was breaking my heart.
the cbc's national did a story on the "iraqi prisoner scandal" tonight. "scandal". that's what they call it here. human beings were stripped of their clothing held at gun point and posed in humiliating positions while american soldiers stood by laughing and taking pictures. one woman, by the name of "lynndie england" who's featured in a few of the better known photos is "speaking out" now, claiming the "i was only following orders" excuse... but that's just what it is -- an excuse.
i understand. really i do. war is a dirty business. a task requiring nations to sometimes do questionable things to attain a specific goal. but this... this is wrong... i know that "wrong" is a very weak term to be using here, but anything else would take away from the absolute truth of this. it's despicable, and horrifying... and it makes me seriously question the righteousness of their cause.
not that i've ever supported the american "efforts" in the middle east. gods know they've historically done more damage there than any measure of good. but a small part of me was happy that saddam was gone. hopeful that this could actually be what the american media was pitching it as: the bigger bully kicking the hell out of the smaller bully so the little guy can be free. sure it's naive, but i wanted to believe.
and now this. how can they claim the righteousness of their cause with one hand and commit acts like this with the other? i spit on you lynndie england. you're a disgrace not only to the united states army, but the whole damn human race. "i was only following orders" will not help you when your time comes.
the cbc did however take note of the fact that the united states isn't the only nation marred by this kind of disgusting behaviour. both britain and canada have shown examples of the same behaviour in this and other wars. and all i can say to that is that i wish i could just point to the americans and blame them... but i know i can't... and it makes me wonder: are we really so much better than the terrorists?