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Imperial Barbarians

By David Moberg

“That’s not the way we do things in America,” George Bush told an Arab world seething with anger about the photos of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib. As usual, he was lying. The abusers were indeed Americans, apparently guided broadly by Bush administration directives. The pictures may have been new and shocking in their details, but the practices, unfortunately, have… return to article

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    Page 1 of 1 pages

    What a bunch of poppycock!

    This article tries to make it sound like its common place for American soldiers to brutalize prisoners for fun.  No, thatís not how we do things in America.  We certainly donít decapitate 26 year old kids because we disagree with his country’s politics. 

    While Iím the first to admit, as a nation, we havenít always made the best long term decisions ñ I have yet to hear real solutions to the issues instead of pointing out past mistakes.

    And, no, I don’t believe simply putting another party in power [that would turn a blind eye to our enemies] is not a viable solution.

    United States Posted by Spidermonkeys on May 25, 2004 at 3:35 PM

    Actually, not poppycock but a rather insightful and well-informed essay with historical hindsight at 20/20.

    American soldiers have brutalized the helpless for fun or other nefarious purposes in almost every major conflict since (and including) the Revolution. We have murdered and tortured numerous times in numerous conflicts. If we ignore past mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them.

    It looks like In These Times is still being trolled by right-wing reactionaries trying to stir the pot instead of educate. ANYTHING to protect the Republicans, right boys?

    United States Posted by Brian Siefke on May 28, 2004 at 5:51 AM

    Is that the best you can do; call me names because my views differ from yours? How very simple of you.

    Yes, in war people are murdered - that is the way it always has been and the way it always will be until we no longer have war. To think otherwise is foolish.

    It is very easy to say, “we need to learn from our mistakes.” But the fact of the matter is as a nation we have not; nor has any candidate to date shown that we will.  And, While I believe there are serious issues in our government today - they are not solely related to a particular person or party - but run much deeper. If you truly believed in ‘historical hindsight’ you might have a clue.

    If you would prefer to segregate Americans based on their view of the government’s level of intervention - so be it. Call me all the names you like. It shows what kind of person you really are Brian.

    United States Posted by Spidermonkeys on May 28, 2004 at 8:11 AM

    I don’t want to segregate Americans at all. I actually think we need more unification and dialogue such as that provided by this website. I’m not trying to call anyone names when people marginalize themselves.

    I actually agree with you about not having learned from our mistakes & candidates not showing that we will. I’m not defending or advocating for any particular candidate or party, but it sounded like you were.

    I truly do believe in historical hindsight, but strongly doubt our leaders do.

    It seems to me that brutality is the order of the day for how things are done in America, by Americans. Police brutality is a daily occurrence. Abuse in prisons is commonplace and easily hidden. The fact that this kind of mentality carries over to the military does not suprise me.

    You are definitely right about one thing: problems in our government run much deeper that any particular person or party.

    United States Posted by Brian Siefke on May 28, 2004 at 11:24 AM

    You article is NOT only wrong. It seems to be based on a fabrication solely meant to malign.

    United States Posted by bfyneah on Jun 1, 2004 at 1:08 PM

    Hey big talker (yeah you Spidermonkeys) why don’t you post your real name?

    United States Posted by Gregory Stutzman on Sep 6, 2004 at 6:52 PM

    Gregory Stutzman -

    If having my real name will make you feel better it’s Chris McCurry.

    So now what name do you wana call me?  What do you think you’re going to do with my REAL name?

    Want me to post my address to?

    United States Posted by Spidermonkeys on Sep 6, 2004 at 8:19 PM

    You seem like an intelligent guy, Chris.  We are all rather disillusioned with our government and people’s reactions at this time.  My apologies.

    United States Posted by Gregory Stutzman on Sep 12, 2004 at 6:02 PM
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