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In Reply to: A parallel? posted by anovagrrl on May 13, 2004 at 06:37:05:
Another striking parallel to TF leadership is the attempt to scapegoat the six or seven Iraqi prison MPs as a few bad apples. Evidence from a number of independent, international investigative organizations--as well as ongoing US military investigations--suggests a widespread practice of POW maltreatment in Guantanimo, Afghanistan, and throughout Iraq. Logic dictates that such widespread abuse of POWs can only be the consequence of leadership policies.
A major policy that has lead to this mess includes the indefinite detention of alleged terrorists in lieu of formal charges at Guantanimo Bay, Cuba. When the US (i.e., Atty General John Ashcroft) decided that the rule of law (US Constitution) and due process doesn't apply to people suspected of terrorist activity, we opened a Pandora's box of absolute power that corrupts absolutely.
Saying the rule of law and due process doesn't apply to people deemed enemies of the state in the situation of internaltional terrorism is like Berg saying that deceiving, lying, and prostitution is OK because it serves the higher purpose of establishing the Kingdom of God.
The "bad apples" in this case are claiming that they followed orders under military intelligence interrogation policies & procedures personally approved by the Secretary of Defense. I'm wondering if US leadership will be as effective as Berg, Zerby & Kelly at hoodwinking ordinary citizens into thinking the buck stops with a few overzealous MPs who took things too far and in ways never intended by the policy-making leadership.
A true measure of change from the mistakes we made as Family cult followers is to deeply ponder the parallels to our current situation as US citizens and what we learned about blind, fearful, unquestioning obedience to authority.
I grew up in the military and I consider myself pro-military. That's why I was a good "soldier" of the Lord when I did my time in TF--it's also why I get really upset when I see service people who have dedicated their lives to a higher purpose and mission (protecting US citizens) being wasted like cannon fodder by ill-conceived leadership policies. Not one of the people responsible for planning this war and the occupation of Iraq has a history of active military service. Every last one of our civilian leaders--with the exception of Colin Powell--either got student deferments or national guard assignments at a time when that meant avoiding combat.
Sorry about if my rant offends. As I said, I'm pro-military. Like Colin Powell, I didn't agree with the decision to go to war, but once we committed American lives, my support for the troops has been unwavering. God help us. I am so upset, I needed a place to vent.
