http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4186581.stm

Can't believe they are doing this.

Ibudin

'The charges also include two relating to the alleged placing of a detainee on the forks of a forklift truck.'

- Seriously, seriously fucked up.
Though with the recent American trend of abusing prisoners, I'm hardly suprised anymore.

[on a seperate note, I think someone's a little bitter, eh? :P]

But I wanna add, the Opposition Leader this morning wanted to "clarify" that this is no way reflects the steller effort of the British Army as a whole.

Well, why not? These abusers were British soldiers, drilled and taught, schooled and formed in British academys and camps. The behaviour of a minority, no matter how minor, should reflect the organization's inability to regulate its own troops.

As an Iraqi official said earlier, "We thought the British troops were more effective, with a better moral high ground, and a better understanding of the Iraqi people than the Americans, now look, they are just the same."

And as heart-wrenching as it is to hear that (with the particularly effective effort of the British Army in the controlled-south showing little sign of violence and unrest), I have to agree. I'm sure most people here would. Afterall, it's popular opinion that a bad member of a guild reflects badly on the guild itself. A guild is its members, and their inability to control certain members shows badly of their ability as a guild.
I think it's very similar in this case.

Whether its the popular belief or not, I think its too simple minded to let one or couple bad apples spoil it for many. I never have or will think like that. Chai Vang killed 6 hunters in the woods of Wisconsin this deer season...do I hate the entire Hmong population in our state for his actions? Absolutely not...although I would gather the majority does (whether they openly say it or not).

Ibudin

I would agree with Ibudin, to some extent.
You can't completely give responsability from one to the entire group. But, the group has (in its range of rights) the responsability to deal with the "bad apple", or face the contamination.
You can't sue government if someone commits a murder on the basis that "it doesn't control well its own people", but you can held responsability if the killer is still running free after 5 years.

And as well, I think there is a question of number in the balance. If they are 2.000.000 Hmong people in Wisconsin, nobody will reasonnably "hate" the communauty for the fault of one. If they are only 10... Question of proportion I guess.

But I wanna add, the Opposition Leader this morning wanted to "clarify" that this is no way reflects the steller effort of the British Army as a whole.

Well, why not? These abusers were British soldiers, drilled and taught, schooled and formed in British academys and camps. The behaviour of a minority, no matter how minor, should reflect the organization's inability to regulate its own troops.


Cant defend the actions of these people in any way, shape or form. But they will be dealt with and will go to military prison. Thats what a responsible society does. You cannot tar the whole of the British Army with the same brush. They recieved specific training just before this incident on treatment of civilians and prisoners. I doubt there is an Army in the world without things on record it wishes hadnt happened, Britain has the Indian Stadium massacre and Bloody Sunday for example. But from that you cant suddenly leap to the conclusion that the forces is a rag tag bunch of scallies.


Besides the sick treatment they dished out to people in their care they have provided propoganda to be used againt their own mates and allies.