2004

I Told You So

ArchPundit May 6, 2004 No Comments

In the worst possible way

That private contractors are interrogators in U.S. prison camps in Iraq should be stunning enough. This is incredibly sensitive work and takes our experiment with the boundaries of military outsourcing to levels never anticipated. But even more outrageous is the fact that gaps in the law may have given them a free pass so that it could be impossible to prosecute them for alleged criminal behavior.

Some soldiers make horrible decisions, but they are accountable. Private employees doing military work are not. Contracting for combat or combat related positions must stop.

In turn, because the acts were committed abroad, and also reportedly involve some contractors who are not U.S. citizens, the application of U.S. domestic law in an extraterritorial setting is unclear and has never been tested. This appears to leave an incredible vacuum. Indeed, as Phillip Carter, a former Army officer now at UCLA Law School, says, “Legally speaking, (military contractors in Iraq) actually fall into the same gray area as the unlawful combatants detained at Guant?namo Bay.”

This is the worst case scenario and it should have been predicted.

And the Daily:

ArchPundit May 6, 2004 No Comments

“Donate to Barack Obama!”

It makes a GREAT Mother’s Day Gift!*

Remember Bean and Renner as well.

*stolen shamelessly from Austin Mayor in comments.

Alma Mater Antics

ArchPundit May 5, 2004 3 Comments

It would appear the College Republicans at Cornell College (yes Zorn, both Mike Conklin and I went there and actually belonged to the same local version of a fraternity)–many years apart of course–have honored the time-honored tradition of being paranoid and whining. While I was there, the Fellowship Of Christian Athletes were offended by an art exhibit including painted nudes and turned around most of the painting to not be offended. So much for that liberal arts education they payed for.

In other snits, a couple of the turds used to yell at the lady who ran the food service. Well, until I inserted my nose about an inch from his face and I was about twice his size. Libby only liked me–something about saying thank you and asking how she was doing from time to time. And not putting up with spoiled bullies.

And, Lane, I can send a pic if little Leland wants to add me to any of his watches. I’m still trying to get reviewed for David Horowitz’s little site.

Remember When Kos Made an Inappropriate Comment

ArchPundit May 5, 2004 No Comments

There were efforts to start an advertiser boycott.

But when Reynolds approvingly notes that pictures of torture might have motivated the North Koreans….not much. And actually other than some castigating of the point, I have better things than to worry about his sponsors, but don’t give me any of Glenn’s self-righteous nonsense when he posts:

North Korea, probably the world’s most secretive and isolated nation, has offered an olive branch to the US by promising never to sell nuclear materials to terrorists, calling for Washington’s friendship and saying it does not want to suffer the fate of Iraq.

Hmm.

UPDATE: Tim Blair: “Maybe it was those prison photographs that scared ’em.”

Peoria Pundit on the Haymarket Massacre

ArchPundit May 5, 2004 No Comments

A very good post.

Taking It Too Far on American Indian Mascots

ArchPundit May 5, 2004 No Comments

I think the current Chief Illiniwek is a mockery of a proud people, but that doesn’t mean any American Indian mascot or name is offensive.

Oneman points out the University of Iowa has cancelled a game against the Bradley Braves due to a policy prohibiting games against non-conference games with American Indian mascots. Oneman makes a good point about conference/nonconference games, but more troubling is that if a team were to have a mascot that did honor American Indians, this policy would exclude them. I think we make mistake in glorifying tribes as pure, but there are many amazing traits of American Indian tribes that can translate into an excellent standard for which teams and schools to strive. As such, an American Indian name and a respectful mascot could be an excellent teaching tool.

Torture Shouldn’t Surprise Us

ArchPundit May 5, 2004 2 Comments

We hold our soldiers to high standards and we should expect high morals, but we also should well understand that torture is not some third world event. In Illinois there was routine torture by John Burge and his fellow officers over several years. It turns out several of the tortured were innocent of those charges. Carol Marin brings it up at a time that should remind us that just as we are horrified at the treatment of Iraqis, we should be horrified by the treatment of Americans under specific members of the Chicago PD.

Torture is not only inhumane, but it is ineffective. If we have 20 minutes until an A-bomb goes off, we might forgive as Steve Chapman once suggested, but in every day life the only way torture can be justified is by assuming the torturer is infallible and that is never the case.