Ignorance is Strength?

In World War II we went out of our way to make sure our enlisted men has some respect for the people whose countries we invaded. They were told the basics of the languages, cultures, and acceptable behavior, even for Japan which had attacked us.

In Iraq, our troops, like the rest of America are allowed to believe that Iraqis attacked us in 2001. No basics of Iraqi or Arab culture are taught, at least not respect for their customs and culture. Not even the fact that an upraised hand doesn't mean stop.

Op-Ed Columnist: From 'Gook' to 'Raghead'
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/02/opinion/02herbert.html?ex=1115697600&en=145c406a42c43a77&ei=5070
By BOB HERBERT
A soldier talks about his time in Iraq and the amount of gratuitous violence that was routinely inflicted by American soldiers on civilians.

Inquiry Finds Abuses at Guantánamo Bay
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/national/nationalspecial3/01gitmo.html?ex=1115611200&en=e4ccbf6c2d7c4daa&ei=5070
By NEIL A. LEWIS and ERIC SCHMITT
An investigation into allegations of detainee abuse at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, has concluded that several prisoners were mistreated or humiliated, perhaps illegally.

When Soldiers Mistreat Iraqis (3 Letters)
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/05/opinion/l05herbert.html?ex=1115956800&en=d38c22172a5ebde9&ei=5070

Op-Ed Columnist: Lifting the Censor's Veil on the Shame of Iraq http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/05/opinion/05herbert.html?ex=1115956800&en=b39978d3179e4f26&ei=5070
By BOB HERBERT
Photographs from the Iraq war show the extreme horrors of warfare.

Is it any surprise that abuse happens. Especially when policy dictates secrecy, and mandates ghost detainees.…

U.S. Tells U.N. That It Continues to Oppose Torture in Any Situation
By DAVID STOUT
The United States told the United Nations that despite the abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, it continued to oppose torture.
The United States told the United Nations that despite the abuse of Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison, it continued to oppose torture.

Now there's a laugher…, it's right up there with “extraordinary rendition.”

But, it hardly matters…, nobody in a position to do anything is listening.