russ -- I was watching CNN when one of the embedded reporters was filming some of the Iraqi prisoners!
Yes, damgo, I'm aware of that and I did not and do not deny it. Quite frankly, I don't know how that works. Maybe its a grey area in the Geneva convention - I don't think they anticipated the level of media coverage in war. In any case, the reason for that part of the Geneva convention was to avoid humiliation of the POWs. There is a huge difference between what CNN shows and what Iraqi TV shows. In fact, I'd go so far as to say CNN's coverage HELPS in the enforcement of the Geneva convention.
Also, human rights organizations -- the Red Cross, Amnesty International -- have been roundly critiquing US violations of the Geneva conventions ever since the War on Terror started.
Yes, I know. I think they are wrong. Here's why:
We've "rendered" (lovely word, no?) people to countries like Pakistan, which are known to torture their prisoners... that's not only disgusting in and of itself, but a violation of the Convention
How is that different from an ordinary extradition?
We keep Taliban prisoners indefinitely at Guantanamo, refusing to repatriate or identify them... another violation.
Those POWs are/were combatants in an ONGOING war. When it is safe (for US) to deport them, we will.
Both of these are IMO somewhat more important provisions than asking a few questions on film.
Debateable, but reasonable.
The adminstration's claim is that Taliban are not POWs hence Geneva is not applicable... but they refuse to allow an 'independent tribunal' to verify this, also required by Geneva.
Tough one - but has any country ever done such a thing? I don't tend to think that's a reasonable thing to expect a country to do.
Pointing these things out isn't pro-Saddam or anti-American; we just want to keep the USA in the right place. It honestly makes me ill and angry to think that my country is handing over people for torture.
That is perfectly reasonable - even patriotic.
gah damgo, you sick, ungrateful, person! Why don't you go live with saddam
Kyleb, you could learn a thing or two from damgo on presenting a mature, reasonable, lucid arguement. You've decended into a name-calling loop. As I think damgo and I proved, reasonable people can disagree without resorting to personal attacks.
