Now we're taking hostages

[Theophylact]

In today's Washington Post:

Col. David Hogg, commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division, said tougher methods are being used to gather the intelligence. On Wednesday night, he said, his troops picked up the wife and daughter of an Iraqi lieutenant general. They left a note: "If you want your family released, turn yourself in." Such tactics are justified, he said, because, "It's an intelligence operation with detainees, and these people have info." They would have been released in due course, he added later.

I thought our officers were aware of The Geneva Protocols:

Art. 75. Fundamental guarantees

1. In so far as they are affected by a situation referred to in Article 1 of this Protocol, persons who are in the power of a Party to the conflict and who do not benefit from more favourable treatment under the Conventions or under this Protocol shall be treated humanely in all circumstances and shall enjoy, as a minimum, the protection provided by this Article without any adverse distinction based upon race, colour, sex, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, national or social origin, wealth, birth or other status, or on any other similar criteria. Each Party shall respect the person, honour, convictions and religious practices of all such persons.

2. The following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever, whether committed by civilian or by military agents: (a) violence to the life, health, or physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular: (i) murder; (ii) torture of all kinds, whether physical or mental; (iii) corporal punishment; and (iv) mutilation;

(b) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, enforced prostitution and any form or indecent assault; (c) the taking of hostages; (d) collective punishments; and (e) threats to commit any of the foregoing acts.

[CERuppel]

Please let this be some sort of "out of context" error of communication.

Please?

Because otherwise, how can any soldier have any faith in their commanders?

Such tactics are justified, he said, because, "It's an intelligence operation with detainees, and these people have info."

Hostage? I think not.

[Theophylact]

They left a note: "If you want your family released, turn yourself in."

And how is this not a hostage taking? C'mon, surreal: when you take someone's spouse and children to force a surrender? What's next: sending a cut-off ear as a message?

[Epidemic]

I don't know. If they legitimately took the family in for questioning, is it not ok to lie a little bit to the criminal to try and get them to come out and play. Just asking. Creative use of circumstances to achieve desired ends.

Originally posted by Theophylact
And how is this not a hostage taking? C'mon, surreal: when you take someone's spouse and children to force a surrender? What's next: sending a cut-off ear as a message?

Is a note and an ear the same? I think that's kinda jumping to conclusions eh?

[Theophylact]

Jumping to conclusions? It's hard to interpret that note as anything other than a threat.

Would you okay the sending of an ear that came from some random dead person? I'm sure there are plenty lying around; and Epidemic would probably justify it as "creative use of circumstances".

[Warthog]

*edit, decided to comment.

It's war: sh*t happens. Not like they are being tortured.

I suppose Theo likes to fight wars with rules that the enemy doesn't follow, such as Vietnam. This is how you fight a guerillla war, FYI.

Warthog

[Theophylact]

Warthog, the whole article is there; just click the link. And it is indeed only a small part of the article. The interesting question to me is why the Washington Post buries a violation of the Geneva Protocols so deep in a story that one might easily miss it.

[Warthog]

Yeah, I thought I had to waste my time registering, didn't realize it was a quick survey.