THE EDITOR, Sir:MUCH HAS been said and written about the alleged abuses of Iraqi prisoners, and rightfully so. However, more than anything else, the current furore gives ironic witness to a misguided and inconsistent philosophy and betrays the moral bankruptcy of those who endorse war and violence, for whatever reason, as a legitimate pursuit of human endeavour.
The utter hypocrisy of the current debate is enough to cast doubt, even the most idealistic person, on our capacity as human beings to think rationally. On the one hand we cajole, entice, and otherwise enthusiastically encourage 18 and 19-year-old youth to become soldiers and engage in activities resulting in death, mayhem, and destruction. When they have successfully completed their mission we designate them 'our finest men and women' and 'real heroes'. On the other hand, when these same young people get caught up with an over-exuberance of power, intimidation, and a twisted sophomoric sense of fun, all logical by-products of a warrior mindset, we feign a sudden righteousness, become 'outraged' and label them 'un-American'.
With all due respect to the Geneva Convention and any other attempt to sanitise the horrors and stark reality of war, once a person accepts the premise that another human being is an object worthy of killing, anything follows, and most often does, despite the moot 'rules of war'. Contrary to what the apologists may say, abuse of everything human and right is the essence of war, and to discuss these issues outside of that consideration is dishonest at best.
If outrage and moral indignation are to be aimed at anyone, the target should be those people who have misled us, and continue to mindlessly lead the charge down the evil and cynical path of war. Even moreso, shame and disgrace should be visited upon those of us who have endorsed and supported these senseless policies which have no redemptive value and serve no end but death, destruction, and continued animosity among people. We are all sheep. God have mercy on us.
I am, etc.,
RON GOOD
Kingston 10
