The Full Rant (sorry, it's long)

(read previous posts for context...)

In response to an inquiry by Martha Irvine, AP reporter:

I was happy to see your inquiry, as I've been quite consumed by the deluge of news, photos and commentary regarding the abuse of Iraqi prisoners. First of all, yes, it is absolutely something my friends and colleagues (all 20-somethings) are concerned about. Perhaps it's more prevalent in San Francisco - a city that at times can be blindly liberal to the point of being dogmatic, but regardless, for the acute mind, it's a city that constantly begs the questioning of leadership and the evaluation of important issues.

I then sent her the following excerpt from blog entry drafted May 7, 2004:

The treadmills at my gym have little individual TVs. During a thoroughly exhausting work out, I saw for the first time the pictures of the Iraqi prisons and the torture and abuse that's going on. It wasn't the first I've heard or read about it -- just the first time I've seen it on tv, and it makes me sad, angry, and ashamed on behalf of our leaders and the things they have said in order to justify what has happened.

I read Baghdad Burning this morning - a site run by a woman roughly my age who lives in Baghdad. She has strong anti-American, anti-occupationist sentiments, and I find her site both engaging and informative. If nothing else, by presenting her beliefs so strongly, regardless of whether or not I agree, she compels me to ask certain questions. Anyway, today she wrote:

So are the atrocities being committed in Abu Ghraib really not characteristic of the American army? What about the atrocities committed by Americans in Guantanamo? And Afghanistan? I won't bother bringing up the sordid past, let's just focus on the present. It seems that torture and humiliation are common techniques used in countries blessed with the American presence. The most pathetic excuse I heard so far was that the American troops weren't taught the fundamentals of human rights mentioned in the Geneva Convention... Right- morals, values and compassion have to be taught.

The whole situation in Abu Ghraib and in any place of military conflict brings to light the importance of transparency. I think River Bend misses the mark when she contests whether or not American troops were ever taught the fundamentals of human rights. Historically speaking, the environment of war itself breeds the suspension of morals and fosters a culture of brutality. Average people think and act in ways that would seem incomprehensible under different circumstances. This doesn't excuse those soldiers directly involved -- far from it. In the last several decades, international law has been specifically tailored to reinforce the idea that moral accountability always has to be first and foremost, even under the most dire circumstances. That is why it is the very role of organizations like the International Red Cross to ensure that a voice of reason and humanity prevails, even when conflict situations blurs and clouds judgment. In a way, it seems to me, that part of their job is to save people from themselves. As such (and to finally get back to my point... I think there's one in here) that's what is so reprehensible about how things have unfolded. We had specific mechanisms in place to ensure transparency, to guarantee that there was a voice of reason and that that voice would be heard. By failing to act (or acting so slow it was almost irrelevant) our administration has failed on a very basic humanitarian level... And that is why I'm sad, ashamed, and disappointed.

And a couple follow-up questions: Do you think this is the biggest Iraq-related story to catch the attention of you and your peers? If so, why? Also, do you sense that the story is causing more to oppose the war? I realize you're in SF, where there's already anti-war sentiment ... but just wondered if you sensed that this was turning the tide among even some of those who were on the fence, or who supported the war.

I'm rarely known for answering a question in one sentence when I could do it ten, but if you'll permit, here's my thoughts on your follow up questions:

I think in a way it is the biggest Iraq-related story to catch attention for the simple reason that this is one we can't pass off as "oh that a**hole Bush" (pardon the expression). It's the first time we can't just point a finger at a leader and say "you did this wrong" and instead have to say "we're doing this wrong." The people in the videos shown abusing Iraqi prisoners ARE me, or at least, not as distinguishable from me as some idiot who managed to weasel his way into the white house. I'm editorializing not necessarily to establish a political view, but rather to demonstrate how on a very gut level I reacted differently to the recent news versus more "military" casualties or other politically-motivated news items. It's also the biggest story because I think we're desensitized to "standard" or expected casualties. As the blog entry indicated (and I didn't think about the reason why at the time), I clearly had a different reaction to [seeing the pictures on tv], versus hearing or reading about the news. It makes sense historically if you consider the polarizing effect of broadcast media during Vietnam... Maybe today it just takes more to shock us.

I can't really answer whether or not I think this is causing more people to oppose the war. Quite honestly, I don't think I personally know anyone in my age bracket who was or is for it in the first place (in SF or otherwise), at least not without an entire list of qualifiers and disclaimers. I know people who abstained from having an opinion because they don't understand the broader political and cultural contexts for going to war, and I think those are the ones that are being "tipped" as a result of the recent news. From what I can glean, and speaking from my own personal feelings on the matter - the big problem was never deciding whether or not removing Saddam Hussein from power was a worthy objective - on a political and humanitarian level. I think the general population is ready and willing to accept that he was a despot and his reign was a threat not just to the people of Iraq, but also to the global population. These are assertions that anyone with the ability to read the Sunday Times could have come to, without rally cries of "the war on terror" that touched a nerve at the very heart of Americans' sense of infallibility and indestructibility. It was the politicizing and propagandizing that made it all seem dirty, made Americans look hypocritical and above all arrogant, all the while instilling a pervasive sense of distrust that undermined a previously unmatched level of patriotism and solidarity among the American population.

"I'm Proud to be an American" was bound to be a one-hit-wonder no matter what (it is, after all, a terrible song), but nothing assured its demise more than the administration's actions leading up to and throughout the invasion of Iraq.

Comments

[Patrick J. DeGeorge]

Ms. McAuly,
I saw a write up including you in stars and stripes and then decided to look for your site. I hope that what a few people decided to do in Abu Graib does not lead you to think that all American Soldiers are that way. I can tell you for a fact that I for one am not like that. Please drop me a line so we can discuss this in more detail. I would like to know your full views. Thank you for your time.
Spc Patrick J. DeGeorge
Illinois Army National Guard (Iraq)

[sarah]

Hi Patrick,

Thank you so much for commenting. Please be assured that I am constantly aware and grateful that there are men and women like you who are putting their lives at risk because our country asked them to. Without being trite, I am not of the "few bad apples" mindset, and I am confident that the majority of soliders overseas are acting with dignity, humility, and above all, humanity. In fact, that is yet another reason why the events of the past few months are so upsetting - their actions do a broad disservice by tarnishing the honor of being a solider, and to a large extent, of being American. I wish you all the best, and thank you for taking the time to comment.

[hubs]

indded. well done sarah.

[anonuserman]

Hi,
The company you are challenging has up to 90 days to respond and defend the item, or remove it from the report.
Start from the very beginning and read on till the very last period.
These types of reviews would fall under the credit granting considerations and would be considered a permissible use of your credit report.




checker
cupboard



Thanks

[injunligusy]

If you can see this message, please email the website (URL), duudssdssudd@gawab.com.

http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/msn_money_market_report_stock_ticker - msn money market report stock ticker msn money market report stock ticker
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/walt_disney_company_stock - walt disney company stock walt disney company stock
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/option_tax_trading - option tax trading option tax trading
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/commodity_trading_newsletter - commodity trading newsletter commodity trading newsletter
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/Angelina_Jolie - Angelina Jolie Angelina Jolie
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/tax_on_option_trading - tax on option trading tax on option trading
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/bond_clause_estate_in_investing - bond clause estate in investing bond clause estate in investing
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/Private_Student_Loan_Consolidation - Private Student Loan Consolidation Private Student Loan Consolidation
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/interactive_brokers_trading - interactive brokers trading interactive brokers trading
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/ibm_price_stock - ibm price stock ibm price stock
http://www.empiregoldcoins.com/blk/market_simulation_stock - market simulation stock market simulation stock

[KatafratA]

With this prices and the stuff I need to buy for school I am on the edge of being hungry while attending school for the whole year!!!! maine rafting

[brongespeense]

comprare viagra generico Vendita Viagra e Cialis. Acomplia. Sito informativo su Acomplia. And that she was ruining programma tentata vendita ultram cialis.

[JosephAmolschNoProblem]

Hi all!

You can solve all the financial problems through short term bad credit loans

[envetbano]

Science Fiction of exceptional texture and vision alltoo

[khjhkluyt]

http://girlboybar.info
http://girlguygirl.info
http://maturewomanboy.info
http://girlbeatsman.info
http://womanticklingman.info
http://ladyboycrazy.info
http://ladyboystore.info
http://ladyboylady.info
http://girlboynet.info
http://womanneedman.info

[Drerfibia]

Hello! debt
Debit traffic-management operations over a period of time, resulting in an increase in property / property rights or reduce the debt businesses, which accounted for the reporting bill.

[Julleylop]

This is one of the best sites I have ever found. Thanks!!! Very nice and informal. I enjoy being here.
Interesting Pages

[GeorgePRothwell]

I need a Personal Loans For People With Bad Credit,
anyone know of the best bank to get a personal loan?

[emanuelleer]

Not much on my mind. Basically not much exciting going on today. Eh.I am not only encouraged by that.

[Sunflowerwolf]

What price of this forum?

[Alfagreyus]

Hi!
Without taking into account the issue of establishing a stone by God, which he won't be able to pick up, how do you think, may be something in this world, what can God never see?

[hygthyhujx]

Secret of victory!-Win 300 every day $!-Secret of victory
Play and win not going out from house.Play slowly surround after 2 $ and you will win.How you will reach to 300 $ break do not risk!
Every day after 300 $!You will see what then straight lines,but pamietaj 300 $ and end because you will lose!

[Thywhessy]

Although, Paris is in her 20s and earns a lot of money, unlike most people think, she has a big heart and does charity work all the time. paris hilton nicole richie quotes

[awngqpv bnrzixq]

kughiadse aebo tnsqdk evtqju zvwtoaj hslwz bcdirm

[mistery901]

Do you like to RPG games?!
Come here, you will find many interesting on it!
http://best-rpg-games.atspace.com

[Laive]

Hi, I found your site using http://www.laive.com Laive, does your site support Firefox?

[Laive]

Hi, I found your site using http://www.laive.com Laive, does your site support Firefox?