Killroy,

You are completely mistaken. Yes, the "coalition" forces do pick up people for less than obvious reasons, including being unfortunate enough to be a male walking down the wrong street at the wrong time. The detainees at Abu Grahiab (and elsewhere) were detained for questioning and information. A vast majority of these imfamous detainees were released. They were never charged, nuch less convicted of a crime...terrorism or otherwise. They were simply detained.

Yes, it is a war, but there are still very clear rules that go along with war. When the "civilized" country (in this case the U.S.) engages in war it is expected to do so in the name of civility, etc.; thus following the rules established for minimum standards of decency, etc. for P.O.W.'s and detainees. Obviously the U.S. has been derelict in this regard in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Gitmo.

Why does it matter? you might ask.

Well we will need the help of as many people's around the world, especially in that region if there is to be any short or long term success. If these people cannot trust or respect the U.S. then they will never help and indeed wind up supporting the enemies. You simply cannot claim moral and civil authority and then abuse that very authoirity at the same time...you will never be trusted or respected.

The Bush admin. and the "coalition" have set themselves up without question as the moral arbitors of the world. When they massively and systematically fail to live up to their own ideals then they are correctly branded as hypocrites and not trusted by the people.


If the U.S. cannot or will not have civilized priorities and policies then what are we? What do we really stand for?

Words are cheap. Action can be very, very expensive.

Sorry, but the severe mistreatment of most of the detainees and the outright torture of some others has cost Bush and sadly to a degree the American military the trust and respect of most of the people that we were supposed to be helping.