The perversion of moral values by conservative Christians has not only taken over our political landscape, but also our military. Yesterday, the Army relieved Four-Star General Kevin Byrnes of his command because of an extramarital affair he had with a civilian.
Although Gen. Byrnes's affair is clearly a violation of the military's code of conduct, it certainly is not a crime that endangers us all and humiliates our nation. No, that crime would be practicing torture on detainees. Despite abundant evidence that the use of extreme tactics was approved by officials at the very top of the US government, not a single high-ranking member of the military, or any of their civilian enablers, has faced any significant punishment for this dark episode in American history. In fact, the only person punished in a significant way is Brig. Gen. Janis Karpinski, the useful idiot "in charge" of the Abu Ghraib prison.
Not even Lt. Gen. Jerry Boykin, the fellow who once claimed about a Muslim adversary, "I knew my God was bigger than his," has been disciplined for making this and other more outrageous statements WHILE IN UNIFORM. The guy hasn't even been punished for failing at his actual duties- finding Osama bin Laden and aiding in the Iraq War. Boykin alone may be responsible for turning more people into anti-American terrorists than President Bush.
Remember, this is the same military, aided by civilian enablers, that runs out the few Arabic-speakers serving in it because they're gay.
God help us.
None of this is to say that adultery is not wrong, but there is a question of proportionality. Is it a greater crime to hurt your family or embarrass and endanger your country?
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2 comments:
"Punished for adultery, but not for torture" - unbelievable but not surprising, given the policies that Bush has clearly endorsed from the start. I urge you to keep harping on this issue, as not enough Americans yet recognize the ill will that such practices promote (on our behalf) throughout the world - and worse - recognize that they are ineffective in gaining needed information for thwarting future acts of terrorism!
I Know it's a shame.... I'm an officer pending such charges. After an 11 week investigation, 2 reading of my rights, pulled from my retirement briefing after my retirement packet had been approved. I'm still in a limbo status. But, keep in mind that during this process I have countinued to perform my duties to superior standards, to be told in the coming weeks NO THANK for your 20+ years of untireless service, but you're, fired, loss of pension, and possible confinement. However, that's a cake walk compared to my judgement at the Perlie Gate.
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