Monday, May 17, 2004
 
Kass on Abu Gharib

John Kass, of the Chicago Tribune, reflects on what Abu Gharib says about America (registration required). Cripes, what to excerpt?
    You might see these photos as evidence that we should never have been in Iraq, that we're no different than our enemy, that we should pull out now.

    I'd respectfully disagree with that.

    We are different. There is no moral equivalency here, despite what some politicians want you to believe.

    Those Americans who committed outrages at Abu Ghraib should be sent to prison, and not only the enlisted people and the strange woman with the dog leash, but their commanders as well. Let's be clear on that. Torture and the mass murder of innocents was Saddam's policy. That is not our policy. Just as the severing of heads and putting it on video is not our policy.

    As a political tactic, comparing the United States to Saddam Hussein promotes uncertainty in selected constituencies, particularly the young. It is absolutely necessary that we reject it, because it saps American confidence. It is dangerous.

    There is no other option but to accomplish the mission in Iraq, to develop some stable government and turn the country over to the Iraqi people. Yes, that might mean that U.S. forces will be there for years.
That should give you a taste, but you'll have to read the whole thing to see him quote Victor Davis Hanson.

 
To say Noggle, one first must be able to say the "Nah."