If we justify torture, we stand with our enemies
During the same week that America debates the merits of torture tactics such as water boarding, a historical documentary aired on the Red Orchestra, a group of anti-Nazi Germans active in intelligence gathering for the Resistance during World War II.
It fell to Rudolph von Scheliha of the German Foreign Office to justify accounts of Nazi atrocities that resistance fighters struggled to report to the foreign press. German intelligence denounced anti-Nazi Germans as the Red Orchestra to portray them as Soviet-friendly and justify their persecution. Almost half of the resisters eventually routed out by the Gestapo for torture and execution were women.
The parallels with then and now are too frightening. Once we enter the business of justifying torture, we join ranks with the most infamous in history. Is this the business of democracy? Is this the rightful action of free people anywhere at any time?
Cynthia Adams
Greensboro
Comments (7)
To report abuse of the comment feature on this site, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.
If the lte writer and I have similar definitions of "torture" then I willingly sign on to the concept of opposing same.
But I've known WAY too many people in the armed forces to be able to equate their activities to those of the Gestapo.
Anybody here own a Muslimskin lampshade?
Posted on October 5, 2006 6:33 AM
janherman,
No, I do not know anyone with a Muslimskin lampshade, but I know/knew several Vietnam vets who have/had what they called "Gook Ears" on a chain around their neck. One such character ran a gun shop down near Charlotte and had a chain around his neck with multiple human ears on it. He said that they were "souvenirs" from fighting the Viet Cong. With the current posturing and rah rah cheerleading from the neoCons (ChickenHawks) we will probably see a Muslimskin Lampshade before we are through in Iraq.
Posted on October 5, 2006 9:51 AM
Demon,
I suppose that you were one of those creeps that spit on our soldiers and marines and called them babykillers when they returned from Vietnam. What I'd pay good money to see is for you to spew some of your crap in the presence of some of our soldiers and marines. Now, that would be entertaining.
Posted on October 5, 2006 10:06 AM
Oak,
You sure seem to be one angry fellow judging from your post(s).
Where did I say anything that would make you jump from A to C?
I Hope you find peace.
Posted on October 5, 2006 11:18 AM
Im gonna guess it was this - "we will probably see a Muslimskin Lampshade before we are through in Iraq."
Did I win?
Posted on October 5, 2006 12:40 PM
Mick,
Where did he take that to mean I ever spat on a returning soldier? As in every Shakespearean tragedy, ORR's emotions have overruled his ability to reason. I really do hope he finds peace.
Posted on October 5, 2006 3:01 PM
I'm with the LTE.
First off, America is ABOUT fair treatment, and even the thought that we can legally disappear American citizens is scary as hell ... and that's what the new law says.
We all want to zap the bad guys, we all waht to supply the needed tools to do so .. but to invoke terrorist strategy to do so ... and that's what the new law says ... I'm with the LTE.
Posted on October 5, 2006 5:55 PM