Changing mind-set of world led to actions at Abu Ghraib

Changing mind-set of worldled to actions at Abu Ghraib
EDITOR:
I, like many Americans, have found myself angered by the photos from the Abu Ghraib prison. These certainly are, by no means, representative of the many who wear the uniform of our military honorably; yet we know that the actions of a few often taint the efforts of the many.
There is no doubt that these photos have had an adverse effect on our overall mission in Iraq. Yet I can't help but wonder if those who perpetrated these acts were simply the product of a culture that has taken a wrong turn. I have read and heard commentators who have assessed these soldier's actions as a systemic problem that is throughout the military. I have heard others say that this behavior came as a result of a lack of training. Both of these comments show me that the author of these statements is ignorant of the culture of the military.
The military is a regimented, closed society in which change often comes hard, but when it comes it becomes part of the mind-set and regimentation of the whole unit. Over the past 30-plus years we have engaged in social experimentation in this closed and controlled culture. We have introduced such things as gender equality in battle situations and "don't ask, don't tell" when it comes to sexual orientation, just to name a couple of the more politically controversial changes. These coupled with the hundreds of minor social issues have no doubt created confusion in the ranks. So I contend that the issues relegated to a system malfunction cannot be blamed solely on the military, but the greater culture that has fought to have these social changes implemented through political pressure into our military. Therefore I suggest that these outrageous acts must be borne by a culture that has lost its own direction and no longer has an objective standard of right and wrong.
Regarding training, we know that we have a military second to none. Yet there is one area that all the training in the world will not correct, and that is the stain that has been imposed on one's character. And no commander or chain of command can detect it until such a soul comes under certain pressures that manifest that flaw. These behaviors have come to the public view and we are repulsed, as we should be -- but not because it is isolated, but because it is a picture of a society that has been led off course.
Until America is willing to come to terms with its own sin, how can anyone of us possibly point a finger at such behavior and cry foul?
Chaplain C. MICHAEL LEVELLE
OHMR (RET)
Lakeview Assembly of God
Lake Milton
You have to hit the kid to save him? Gimme a break
EDITOR:
It would seem Fowler Township Police Chief James Martin has begun a self-serving public relations campaign, crying the blues about how he began hitting kids with boards after investigating a teen's suicide. [Vindy online, 5/23] What? Taking the board to kids will prevent them from killing themselves? Calling this abusive behavior a "program" makes it ok? Give us a break, Chief.
As a "law enforcement" officer he should know better than anyone that he has to follow the law, and no law allows cops to hit people to punish them. Even the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled on this matter, declaring that prison guards, while they can use physical force for self defense or restraint, may not strike adult inmates just to punish them. Martin had been told previously not to go off half-cocked doing his paddling think, and he did it anyway. Is this a good model for errant teens?
The parallels here to the prison guards in Iraq are scary. Just because someone is in a uniform does not give them permission to trample the law, to inflict physical pain. All we need to do to evaluate his behavior is to substitute "wives" or "nursing home residents" everywhere in his statement about how he is helping "kids" by hitting them -- we would be outraged. Laws need to apply equally to all, and hiding behind plaintive cries of "I meant well" just doesn't cut it.
ROBERT E. FATHMAN
Dublin