Abstract

In Kind

The author comments on justifications by political commentators in the United States for the abuse of Iraqi detainees by American soldiers. As of this writing, seven in ten Americans want Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to remain at his post, a vote of confidence that exceeds that even for the President himself. The majority apparently agree with Bush that Rumsfeld is doing a "superb job," that war is hell, and--Geneva Conventions notwithstanding--that hell includes war crimes like rape and torture. This is not minor or mere "lack of discipline." This mess is the predictable byproduct of any authority that starts "sweeping" up "bad guys" and holding them without charge, in solitary and in secret, and presuming them guilty. It flourished beyond the reach of any formal oversight by Congress, by lawyers or by the judiciary, a condition vaguely rationalized as "consistent with" if not "precisely" pursuant to the Geneva Conventions. Here's my list of gathered rationalizations shaping the surprising public tolerance of behavior nearly everyone simultaneously agrees is just plain wrong. 1.They started it. 2. A head for a head. 3. It's a dog-eat-dog world. 4. Original sin. 5. I was just following orders. 6. They liked it. 7. They're a bunch of sissy crybabies. 8. You're blowing this out of proportion. 9. All the other kids are doing it.