The difference between us and them
People like Nancy Pelosi and Dick Durbin are convinced that U.S. detention centers are cesspools of evil, as bad as the worst detention facilities anywhere, anywhen. For the sake of argument, assume that we sincerely want to change their minds and that their minds are capable of being changed. How can we demonstrate that there's no moral equivalence between our soldiers and the enemies they fight? How can we illustrate what makes us different?
Opinipundit suggests that a recent discovery in Western Iraq illustrates the difference nicely:
We have manuals on how to properly handle the Koran and humanely treat prisoners, paying respect to their cultural sensitivities, they have manuals on how to properly torture and decapitate hostages.
Baghdad, 23 June (AKI) - US Marines have found manuals on taking hostages and decapitation during a raid on a guerrilla hideout in the Iraqi village of Karabla, near the town of Qaim, close to the Syrian border. The Arab newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports that in the hideaway the troops also found several hostages who were being held there by Islamic militants. The hiding place was being used as a centre for the interrogation and torture of hostages, and contained electrodes and other instruments of torture.
The manuals found were used as Jihad (Holy War) handbooks. The first was titled: "How to choose the best hostage", the second covered decapitation and was called: "Rules for cutting off the heads of infidels", and the third manual, "principles of the philosophy of the Jihad", was more theoretical.
The three documents, the last of which is 574 pages long, carry the name Abdel Rahman al-Aliya, which the newspaper says is probably a cover name to hide the identity of the real author. The hideout - in the volatile western Anbar province which has been the scene of fierce fighting between insurgents and the US-led forces - is believed to have been used by the group led by the Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. He is credited with introducing the practice of decapitation to the activities of the Jihadist movement.
Who are the barbarians Sen Durbin?
Good question. Anyone who has trouble answering or mumbles something insincere followed by "but..." needs to be smacked with a cluestick.
I've seen a decapitation video. I don't recommend it and wouldn't inflict it on anyone. Nevertheless, the American people need to know much more about the Islamofascists -- their beliefs, goals, tactics, methods, etc. That means, for those willing, exposing them to some things that aren't for the squeamish. I'd like to see a non-profit put together and promote to the public some "Know the Enemy" educational programs and materials.
I'm willing to consider force-feeding the stuff to members of Congress.
(HT:Michelle Malkin)
