PATHETIC ETHICS
Reuters reports that following allegations that U.S. Marines murdered Iraqi civilians, military commanders in Iraq have "ordered ethics training for combat troops."
And, no, this is not one of my made-up news stories. But, yes, the word is "ethics."
Ethics! We've apparently reached the point in our nation's history where not only is murder a violation of "ethics," but our soldiers, all of whom have reached the age of majority, need to be schooled in these "ethical" lessons. I'm stunned.
The following comes directly from the Reuter's article:
First of all, we see yet again the bizarre practice of anthropomorphism in news reporting: a "statement" said something??? How's about telling us who made the statement that said something? The press remains complicit in the military's hiding of the ball.
Furthermore, we're wasting time, money, morale & military resources to train our soldiers in "core warrior values"? I though the one and only core "warrior" value was destroying every living creature one sees. Isn't this somewhat contradictory?
But finally, and most importantly, how on earth can anyone believe that in a freaking war zone, some "Cross at the green, not in between," elementary school good citizenship film will have any effect whatsoever on the thugs who would consider entering non-combatants' homes and murdering them.
And you know what? I don't think anyone does believe this crap works. It's just another example of "too little, too late"-style damage control. They're not even gonna wait this time to put some half-retarded homunculus in jail to take the fall for the entire military command structure (oh, that'll happen too, they just won't wait to act first). No, they're gonna tell the American people everything's ok . . . because the 99.99% of the soldiers who'd never murder civilians will be sitting in the desert heat, getting instructed on warrior ethics, while the murderers await their show trial . . . and the leaders in charge of the whole fiasco work to make sure the status quo holds this November.
Incompetence, lies, and crimes from the Commander-in-Chief on down. For a change, I'd like to see the punishment for "ethical violations," as well as "high crimes & misdemeanors," start at The Top.
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Update, 6:54 P.M., EDT: Well, well, well, Brass is literally getting to the bottom of the problem in Iraq.
And, no, this is not one of my made-up news stories. But, yes, the word is "ethics."
Ethics! We've apparently reached the point in our nation's history where not only is murder a violation of "ethics," but our soldiers, all of whom have reached the age of majority, need to be schooled in these "ethical" lessons. I'm stunned.
The following comes directly from the Reuter's article:
"The training over the next 30 days in 'core warrior values' would highlight 'the importance of adhering to legal, moral and ethical standards on the battlefield,' a statement said."
First of all, we see yet again the bizarre practice of anthropomorphism in news reporting: a "statement" said something??? How's about telling us who made the statement that said something? The press remains complicit in the military's hiding of the ball.
Furthermore, we're wasting time, money, morale & military resources to train our soldiers in "core warrior values"? I though the one and only core "warrior" value was destroying every living creature one sees. Isn't this somewhat contradictory?
But finally, and most importantly, how on earth can anyone believe that in a freaking war zone, some "Cross at the green, not in between," elementary school good citizenship film will have any effect whatsoever on the thugs who would consider entering non-combatants' homes and murdering them.
And you know what? I don't think anyone does believe this crap works. It's just another example of "too little, too late"-style damage control. They're not even gonna wait this time to put some half-retarded homunculus in jail to take the fall for the entire military command structure (oh, that'll happen too, they just won't wait to act first). No, they're gonna tell the American people everything's ok . . . because the 99.99% of the soldiers who'd never murder civilians will be sitting in the desert heat, getting instructed on warrior ethics, while the murderers await their show trial . . . and the leaders in charge of the whole fiasco work to make sure the status quo holds this November.
Incompetence, lies, and crimes from the Commander-in-Chief on down. For a change, I'd like to see the punishment for "ethical violations," as well as "high crimes & misdemeanors," start at The Top.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update, 6:54 P.M., EDT: Well, well, well, Brass is literally getting to the bottom of the problem in Iraq.
posted by Mike at 12:32 PM
4 Comments:
"Rifleman to Diplomat."
That is an official Administration/Pentagon term for the transformation of the role of soldiers in Iraq now. Never mind that the military is trained to "blow stuff up and kill people" and that there is no exit or nation-building strategy, they actually are passing the buck all the way down the line.
These Marines snapped and fucked up to be sure, but they have been put in an untenable situation for far too long. This was bound to happen sooner or later, and the blood is on the hands of those at the top just as sure as it is on those who pulled the trigger.
A great segment on NPR yesterday on this.
link
How can you expect ethics from a soldier when the White House, the Congress and businesses have none.
You certainly not find it in todays officer corp. Just look who is running the pentagon with its cadre of yes men.
Look what Powell helped to create. That was ethical?
Besides a person with morals and ethics is just plain stupid and asks our patriotic republican party to walk all over them.
Anon-
"a person with morals and ethics is just plain stupid and asks our patriotic republican party to walk all over them."
You really mean that? I agree that the GOPers (and plenty of Dems too) will walk all over an ethical man, given the opportunity. But does that make him stupid? Would you give up your own sense of right or wrong just because the powers would take advantage of you?
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