Wartime Tactics are Not Pretty, but Necessary
Osama Bin Laden puts out a bounty on the heads of U.N. and coalition leaders in Iraq. Will he apologize if he's captured?
Insurgents in Iraq - many from Iran and neighboring countries - gun down and kidnap American civilians and soldiers trying to help the Iraqi people. Will they ever apologize as the president has just done over the alleged mistreatment of a few prisoners?
Don't hold your breath.
Yes, America holds itself to a higher standard, but those criticizing the alleged abuse, including politicians whose sole motive is to lower the president's approval ratings, don't have a clue, or a plan, about post-war Iraq.
We remain in a dangerous situation and need information and cooperation in order to achieve our goals in Iraq. The psychology of warfare is not pretty, but pictures can mislead.
We need to know what these prisoners know. A book of etiquette is not going to get the job done.
The pictures seen around the world don't tell the whole story. It will be interesting to see what an investigation reveals.
Meanwhile, the goal should be victory, not apologies.
I'm Cal Thomas.
Originally published May 09, 2004.
