I had a bit of back and forth with a reader regarding my last post (you can read the comments at the end http://www.lovehateoprah.com/lovehateoprah/2009/04/is-obama-in-therapy.html ) -- It reached a point where I was told I was becoming irrational because I questioned the integrity of the International Red Cross and its report on the torture of prisoners by the U.S.
Maybe I should explain. I have always respected the exceptional humanitarian work by the Red Cross. I have heard some folks make complaints about some of their actions, and how they no longer donate money to the IRC. My family has continued to make the donations, feeling that the good work far outweighs any questionable conduct.
I think the reader is like so many who believe that the IRC is a sacred cow. Yes it is a great organization in so many respects, but I have come to believe there are few -- if any -- organizations that are totally beyond reproach. Even ones I support whole-heartedly.
So the IRC comes out with this report. So many people -- including Eugene Robinson in his syndicated column today -- are treating it as gospel. The obvious major problem with the report is that we're supposed to take the word of admitted terrorists. Yes, I have heard that there were corroborating reports amongst them, but they could have been exaggerated or practiced far beforehand. As I said in those comments -- the terrorists have an obvious agenda. Their testimony is highly suspect.
I'm sure the IRC took great pains to be as thorough and conclusive as possible. But you also have to consider that the IRC could have a bias here. Even if it's well-intentioned, their quest to help those in need could cloud their judgment. After all, last time I checked it was still humans running the IRC.
I'm also sure most folks will just read the headlines and not delve into the specifics to try and determine exactly what they think happened, whether or not it actually constitutes torture, and whether or not it was "justified."
When I was a kid I believed in the Loch Ness monster. I saw the pictures and shaky 8mm, and heard the testimony of eyewitnesses, including priests. Why would a priest lie? I was convinced that such reliable testimony proved the existence of a giant sea creature.
Well we know now that folks have admitted to perpetrating the hoax. Were the priests in on it? Not necessarily. They probably told the truth -- honestly saying what they saw, not knowing it was a fake.
The same could be true of the IRC. They could have been fooled by the most heinous of miscreants.
Does that mean we should not be vigilant in making sure that our armed forces maintain their high standards? No. But we have to remember we are at war with enemies who have no interest in any sense of fairness, decorum or following rules. They will not keep any promises they make, nor are they frightened by threats to their own -- or their families' -- lives. They cannot be bribed or reasoned with.
So much is at stake. Let's reserve our contempt for the ones intent on our destruction, not the brave men and women who are trying to prevent it.
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