Islamists have been trained to use Western laws to their advantage by claiming abuses and mistreatment. Lying is good if it puts another Islamist soldier back on the street. Don't believe what the Islamists are saying, Andreas. Even the slightest misbehavior of a soldier becomes a national scandal nowadays. What you describe, that beatings and torture have become normative, is utterly impossible. The Uniform Code of Military Justice has not been changed. Violations are tried in military courts and in the Media. Lawrence My friend in Iraq wants to see the video you referred to of soldiers indiscriminately shooting civilians. -----Original Message----- From: lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:lit-ideas-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Andreas Ramos Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 8:47 AM To: lit-ideas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [lit-ideas] Re: Too painful to talk about? > There are always some who will engage in > heinous acts, but in the Marine Corps as well as the other branches of the > American armed services, such behavior is not condoned. When it is > discovered it is punished. That was back in the 50s. Today, it's totally different. Not only are officers not punished: they are the ones who order these crimes to be done. Torture and beatings of innocent people are a standard part of the process in the "war on terror". The USA has secret sites where people are beaten and tortured for years. There is no need or place now for honor and dignity in the US armed forces. yrs, andreas www.andreas.com ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html ------------------------------------------------------------------ To change your Lit-Ideas settings (subscribe/unsub, vacation on/off, digest on/off), visit www.andreas.com/faq-lit-ideas.html