Pathologizing the Troops
So reporters at the Washington Post seem horrified that a significant portion of soldiers see little wrong with torturing terrorists if it will yield important information about other teorrists -- or save the life of fellow soldiers. Such views are held to run counter to "ethics."
Well, maybe they do, but it's understandable that those actually in the line of fire -- and who may well have witnessed their own compatriots being savagely slaughtered -- would have a more robust view of what measures are appropriate to win battles and spare their own lives and those of their fellows. "Ethics" that forbid damaging terrorists' possessions unnecessarily may be praiseworthy, but no doubt they sound much better from the vantage point of US newsroom than a Middle Eastern hot spot.
As for all the reporting about the "stress" and "mental illness" afflicting the troops, it's important to know what's going on so that those who need help can receive it. But it's likewise important not to pathologize the troops in the way that liberals are often wont to do -- making it sound as though every soldier is on the way to a mental breakdown as a result of his military service.
Well, maybe they do, but it's understandable that those actually in the line of fire -- and who may well have witnessed their own compatriots being savagely slaughtered -- would have a more robust view of what measures are appropriate to win battles and spare their own lives and those of their fellows. "Ethics" that forbid damaging terrorists' possessions unnecessarily may be praiseworthy, but no doubt they sound much better from the vantage point of US newsroom than a Middle Eastern hot spot.
As for all the reporting about the "stress" and "mental illness" afflicting the troops, it's important to know what's going on so that those who need help can receive it. But it's likewise important not to pathologize the troops in the way that liberals are often wont to do -- making it sound as though every soldier is on the way to a mental breakdown as a result of his military service.
posted by LadybugUSA at 8:44 PM
8 Comments:
Here it comes - The same BS that we got 35 years ago. GI's are drug-crazed, pot smoking baby-killers. I wonder how badly the MSM would fare is these GI's were not there?
Yes, War Sucks. It is dirty and messy. War messes with your mind. We all live with its effects. We have, however earned how to deal with it.
When I came home - I got a 12 hour "Now You're a Civilian" session. Today the returning GI's are getting serious treatment. Lets get off of their backs.
I am angry. I can live with what happened to me and my generation. I will do whatever I can do to insure that these magnificant youths are treated with the respect that they deserve. A simple action like walking up to them extending a hand and saying thanks.
Lets all vow to do our part.
The only way to determine whether a suspect is a terrorist is to put them through due process - a procedure that is universally recognised to be a human right.
Well, then who are the radicalized and who are the terrorists? And yet your religion and new found understanding of how our troops suffer from extended tours of duty and unlimited service, doesn't have you calling for a new way forward.
As a mater of fact, not long ago you, like an absolute fool, you wrote how they don't suffer from extended time in the war zone.
Winning hearts and minds was always America's goal but not with this new breed of pathological right winged neocons.
Get yee self to the mad house.
Is there nothing the left won't do to ensure the demoralization of our soldiers and our defeat in the war? People had better wake up lest this once great nation will cease to exist.
Due Process - is that before or after he hides behind a child while he's blowing up a Pizza Stand?
You win a war by being brutal. Sorry if that offens your sensibilities. The faster you convince your enemy that you plan on winning, the faster the war ends and the fewer people die.
Winnning the hearts and minds is a good idea - but lets do it after the enemy is defeated. Think about this - we haven't won a war, decidedly, since General Patton died.
Being cruel and brutal doesn't even work with farm or domesticated animals. WWII was in part due to the impossible debt placed on Germany from WWI.
Apparently, you 28 percenters now think Abu Ghraib was a real smashing success.
We smashed germany, now they are an economic marvel. We A-bombed Japan - saved millions of American lives. We destroyed the Soviet Union be destroying their already feeble economy. you cannot win a war by being kind.
Ah - Abu Graib - How many did we be-head? I forgot. We embarrased a few. College initiations have been crueler
WWII was created by European stupidity. American President Wilson wanted to rebuild the German economy. The Euro's wanted revenge - and we had to go clean up their arrogance again.
I wonder how many Americans will die cleaning up Eurabia? European stupidity is a never-ending gift.
ETC thinks what amounted to no more than a college hazing was brutal. Brutal is beheading. The cowards know only such tactics. They need to experience same. Wars are won by kicking more enemy ass than they can kick of yours. This has been the way with all wars and will always be so. When two sides refuse to negotiate on points they hold dear, there is only one way to settle things. In this case, our enemies want to convert, enslave or destroy us. We want that they should change their attitude. Neither of us will budge. We certainly shouldn't and they obviously haven't in 1400 years. Please, Earth, for your own sake, get a freakin' clue.
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