Are These Men Animals?

[seer]

You know this Iraq war was at best ill advised. But I wish, for the sake of the Iraqi people, that we could find and kill these animals:

In Tal Afar itself yesterday, where some 10,000 US and Iraqi troops have been engaged in a massive offensive to recapture the ethnically divided town from Sunni insurgents, commanders spoke of the “horrible” abuses they had uncovered. The details were prophetic reminder of what al-Qaeda’s supremacy may bode.

“The enemy here did just the most horrible things you can imagine, in one case murdering a child, placing a booby trap within the child’s body and waiting for the parent to come recover the body of their child and exploding it to kill the parents,” said Colonel H R McMaster, a senior American commander in the town.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...781036,00.html

[jason]

That is simply what these people are like.

Worse yet the left in America endorses such behavior.

I'm not sure which are worse, the scum that do such things or the scum that act as their apologists in the west.

Jason

[C. D. Ward]

In response to the OP title: No. To label them as "animals" would defame animals. I don't even think there's a word to describe things that perform acts like this.

But who on the left besides nutters like Ward Churchill apologizes for such madness? I've heard very few statements from "the left" that I can read as countenancing such behavior, much less apologizing for it.

[Pilgrim]

In response to the OP title: No. To label them as "animals" would defame animals. I don't even think there's a word to describe things that perform acts like this.

But who on the left besides nutters like Ward Churchill apologizes for such madness? I've heard very few statements from "the left" that I can read as countenancing such behavior, much less apologizing for it.

Of course you havn't. It's just that its so easy to try to demonize your political opposition with such sound bites that most people can't resist the opportunity.

[C. D. Ward]

Of course you havn't. It's just that its so easy to try to demonize your political opposition with such sound bites that most people can't resist the opportunity.

And there I was, trying to be all subtle...

[Meh_Gerbil]

No.
The people who do that sort of thing aren't animals.

We must not allow them to be labeled as animals because that is a sublte attempt at separating their nature from ours -- as if such actions are beyond our abilities.

We are all capable of this and we'd do well to remember it.

If you think otherwise, consider this: They think we are animals.

Removing the humanity of another is the first step towards atrocity.

[bandecoot]

No.
The people who do that sort of thing aren't animals.

We must not allow them to be labeled as animals because that is a subtle attempt at separating their nature from ours -- as if such actions are beyond our abilities.

We are all capable of this and we'd do well to remember it.

If you think otherwise, consider this: They think we are animals.

Removing the humanity of another is the first step towards atrocity.

You know gerbil, every now and again I get a faint glimmer of hope for you. Try not to snuff this one out.

I would like to ask you a favour, read what you wrote and pretend that I wrote it. Or LGM for that matter. Because I have written almost those selfsame words so many times I am tired of it. How would you have responded to me writing that? Pm is fine if you dont wish to respond here.

Andrew

[Meh_Gerbil]

You know gerbil, every now and again I get a faint glimmer of hope for you. Try not to snuff this one out.

I would like to ask you a favour, read what you wrote and pretend that I wrote it. Or LGM for that matter. Because I have written almost those selfsame words so many times I am tired of it. How would you have responded to me writing that? Pm is fine if you dont wish to respond here.

Andrew

I've a couple of comments:

1: I'm a Christian in training - so this post represents where I want to be one day not just in word but in deed. I want to be strong humble enough to love my worst enemy.

2: While I regard the people who do these things as fully human a part of being fully human is suffering the consequences of vile actions. This is likely where we develop a confusion -- we are to love these people but it isn't ours to hold back punishment. For example, if my younger brother were to rob a bank I'd still love him but I would also want him to go to jail -- and would seek to minister to him while he is in jail.

So some people probably think my desire for quick and sure justice is the same as hatred -- maybe that is where the confusion arises?

For the record, it has bothered me for some time that labels get used in warfare. I hate the term 'gook' for instance -- and always thought that if I were to go into the army I'd refuse to call the enemy such a thing. Call them 'farmers', 'fathers', 'brothers', and so forth.

[Ryokan]

No.
The people who do that sort of thing aren't animals.

We must not allow them to be labeled as animals because that is a sublte attempt at separating their nature from ours -- as if such actions are beyond our abilities.

We are all capable of this and we'd do well to remember it.

If you think otherwise, consider this: They think we are animals.

Removing the humanity of another is the first step towards atrocity.

I wouldn't do that to an animal Gerbil. The problem is they think we don't deserve the respect even afforded animals.

[Meh_Gerbil]

I wouldn't do that to an animal Gerbil. The problem is they think we don't deserve the respect even afforded animals.

I know what their problem is (in a basic way), however, I'm more worried about mine of late -- since I'm not likely to ever run into a terrorist but I am likely to hate a whole lotta people in my lifetime.

[Ryokan]

I know what their problem is (in a basic way), however, I'm more worried about mine of late -- since I'm not likely to ever run into a terrorist but I am likely to hate a whole lotta people in my lifetime.

I don't know. Dislike isn't hate. IU dislike alot of people but i don't think i hate anybody. Least not anyone I know.

[Jedidiah]

. . .Least not anyone I know.

Profound, Ry. Pearls.

[Ryokan]

Profound, Ry. Pearls.

Thank you.

[jason]

But who on the left besides nutters like Ward Churchill apologizes for such madness? I've heard very few statements from "the left" that I can read as countenancing such behavior, much less apologizing for it.

Plenty of people. Everyone who suggests US troops should be harmed, and all those who generally apologise for acts of terrorism.

Incidentally I was not seeking to demonise anyone. I think the sort of people that make excuses for the actions of terrorists (which would include everyone who thinks the palestinians are the innocent party etc) like these are worse that the terrorists themselves and there are plenty of these sorts of people around on the political left.

Jason

[Jedidiah]

No.
The people who do that sort of thing aren't animals.

We must not allow them to be labeled as animals because that is a sublte attempt at separating their nature from ours -- as if such actions are beyond our abilities.

We are all capable of this and we'd do well to remember it.

If you think otherwise, consider this: They think we are animals.

Removing the humanity of another is the first step towards atrocity.

I sent pearls to Ry for his profundity, but I think you deserve them for the humanity of this post.