First GI Faces Court-Martial Over Abuse

[Administrator]

Stung by a worldwide outcry, the U.S. military Sunday announced the first court-martial in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse allegations, ordering a reservist to face a public trial in Baghdad on May 19.

Spc. Jeremy C. Sivits of Hyndman, Pa., a member of the 372nd Military Police Company, will face a military court less than a month after photos of prisoners being abused and humiliated were first broadcast April 28.

Link

[Administrator]

While I certainly do not condone the actions taken by certain military personel in this case, we must remember....THIS IS WAR. Unpleasentries (sp) surround us all. Before we cry too much for these individuals, let's stop an wonder 'why' these people are in prison. Why are they detained by our military? What crime did they commit?

Again, these aren't commendable actions but I'm sure the crimes of the POW's aren't either.

JMOT

[BlueCat]

These acts of brutality, and public humiliation have got to stop. We are Americans and must remain above these low actions. How many times have we condemned the enemy for showing photos of abused prisoners on television for our humiliation? If we allow this to continue then we become just as bad as those we condemn.
We still are to abide by the Geneva Convention

Article 13 and 14 of the Geneva Convention
Article 13
Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. Any unlawful act or omission by the Detaining Power causing death or seriously endangering the health of a prisoner of war in its custody is prohibited, and will be regarded as a serious breach of the present Convention. In particular, no prisoner of war may be subjected to physical mutilation or to medical or scientific experiments of any kind which are not justified by the medical, dental or hospital treatment of the prisoner concerned and carried out in his interest.

Likewise, prisoners of war must at all times be protected, particularly against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity

Measures of reprisal against prisoners of war are prohibited.

Article 14
Prisoners of war are entitled in all circumstances to respect for their persons and their honour.

Women shall be treated with all the regard due to their sex and shall in all cases benefit by treatment as favourable as that granted to men.

Prisoners of war shall retain the full civil capacity which they enjoyed at the time of their capture. The Detaining Power may not restrict the exercise, either within or without its own territory, of the rights such capacity confers except in so far as the captivity requires.

[MyBlueHeaven]

BlueCat,
Did you swear to the terms of that document like I did?

[BlueCat]

MyBlueHeaven said:

BlueCat,
Did you swear to the terms of that document like I did?

And you point is?

[MyBlueHeaven]

.....just checking. If you are a war vet, like myself, or have been in a hostile country, like myself, then you would understand what the true intent of that document was designed for.

If you read the entire document, that is required by the armed forces to read, study, memorize, and swear to, then you would have to agree to it's intentional paradox.

[BlueCat]

MyBlueHeaven said:

.....just checking. If you are a war vet, like myself, or have been in a hostile country, like myself, then you would understand what the true intent of that document was designed for.

If you read the entire document, that is required by the armed forces to read, study, memorize, and swear to, then you would have to agree to it's intentional paradox.

Well I'm not a veteran, but I have read it, and what I get is simple basic human rights. Whether it be peace time or war, I believe that every human being has certain rights that should never be violated. I think I understand that under certain conditions people will act contradictory to their norm, but this kind of behavior should never be allowed. This is my opinion, and when it is our men and women that are humiliated it is our own government and people that cry out for these most basic of human dignities to be kept in tact.
Yes I believe I know the intent of the articles. I don't think one has to be in a hostile country to understand why it is important for us as a society to maintain a standard of ethics that sets us apart from barbarians, and heathen. To do less makes us no better than they IMO.

[MyBlueHeaven]

Very well stated and I can respect your position.

[TexasBlue]

I do not think the actions of our troops are just as far as the prisoners, but I do NOT believe that this should overshadow what we are over there for. NOR the sacrifices given by so many American troops, many with there own lives.

LEAST we not forget we are over there to save a country. Now the politians grandstand for theives, thugs, murderers and terrorists.

MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, these people (the prisoners) would be burning Americans, dragging them through the streets and hanging them up spitting on them if they were free.

I am still awaiting the Iraq apology for this conduct which was 100 times worst than the treatment of the murderous prisoners.

Just ask the families of the people who were burned, dragged through the streets and hung from the bridge.