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April 30, 2004

Breaking Down

So we're down here at Disney World, and we decided to swing by the Hall of Presidents. This exhibit includes a brief swing through American history, including the Lincoln-Douglas debates. At one point Lincoln, defending his opposition to slavery, tells the crowd that if the words 'all men are created equal' are not true, than they should find the document in which it is written and tear it up. "Who is bold enough to do it," he asks, and the crowd goes quiet, admitting they will under no circumstances tear up the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln nods and says that, if they won't tear it up, it must apply to all.

I think of that as I review these horrifying stories of prisoner abuse in Iraq, as pointed out by Gary Farber. As I've noted before on many occasions, all soldiers are by no means heroes; among any group of men and women you will find knaves and fools as well as heroes. But this kind of behavior goes beyond any bounds of tolerable human behavior. If we can do no better in Iraq than to mimic the deeds of the men we removed from there, then we should get out and stay out.

I don't believe that's the case. I think we can win the battle while remaining true to the ideals that bind us together. But we must also be aware of the threat of atrocities and violations of the law of war that are always out there. We've got to look for those problems and break them up as soon as we see signs of them, not allow it to go on with semi-official sanction. Everyone involved with this incident needs to be tried and punished for their crimes, particularly those at the higher ranks who didn't step in to prevent it.

If we can't alter our behavior in Iraq to conform to our own ideals, and punish those who so richly deserve it for their crimes, then we should get out now, before it gets any worse.

Jim Henley has more. This says it all: "We used to have more pride than that, and it was justified. I want it back."