Iraq and Afghanistan

The recently reported speech of an American General in San Diego that sometimes it was just fun to shoot people has received the usual warning from generals higher up in the command structure, as well as a great deal of negative public commentary. However, what anyone who values humanity and morality must realize is that many people in our military service, the police at all levels in this country, and those employed in local, state, and federal prisons have a vicious streak that is only with difficulty kept under control. This is widely understood, and even sometimes applauded by the general public. While the media were tut tuting about the treatment of prisoners in Abu Ghraib, as well as similar behavior in other restraining areas set up to assist our “war against terrorism”, I have heard ordinary people with no military connection say, in effect, “they had it coming to them”, “this happens in war” etc.

As a civilized society we must try to reduce such events on three fronts. First, we must of course enter into any war with great reluctance, be prepared to finish it quickly, and to return any prisoners we may have to their societies. Sheer time in the field and length of contact is one of the greatest culprits. Secondly, we must make clear by example that the American government respects international agreements meant to reduce unnecessary killing and brutality in war. This commitment must be communicated down the chain of command, and to all those services such as the CIA that also employ violence. This has not been adequately done. Officers higher up the command structure, civilian or military, must be held responsible for lapses and punished adequately.

Finally, we must make it clear to the American people that the abusing of people in custody, whether in a military or civilian setting is a serious crime. Allowing the International Court to have jurisdiction over Americans would help bring home the lesson. But baring this, we must improve the means by which we employ and keep employed persons in police or prison work within the United States. I realize that these are not jobs most people want. But I also realize that in many communities these are positions that run in families and characterize certain subcommunities. It is in these that the most unfortunate attitudes toward the “other” are passed on from older to younger until a culture develops in which almost anything goes. This was, in fact, one of the aspects of what happened at Abu Ghraib. More must be done to break this cycle, to reform such subcultures, perhaps even to exclude people with certain backgrounds from such work.