When you obviously sensationalize things, it makes me wonder what else in your "op-ed" piece is also an exaggeration.
Bottom line though, without knowing the full scope of what happened, this appears to have been handled terribly. It's tough because if you do nothing and let the boy go free, what's the likelyhood that he doesn't attack US forces in the future?
That said, I think you should take that risk and start taking the higher road instead of blaming everything on "war is hell", especially when you did take the war to these kids.
i think ultimately whether it's an op-ed or something from the news media - it will be up to us to decipher what is the relevant information ... i think in this particular case, i side with the writer because this should cause outrage and yet there is none ... if you are supposed to be a country that is based on a just society - you cannot treat omar khadr like he has ... you just can't ...
the problems arose for the pentagon when omar khadr survived ... he survived the shrapnel and the two bullets fired into his back ... if he dies - no one would know who omar khadr was ... upon surviving - he got lost ... the two other major factors leading up to this is that omar was a child when he was sent to gitmo and that the canadian gov't abandoned him ... and in a way, the media attention he has been getting at home sealed his fate ... they HAD to make an example of him ... hence this grandstanding trial that basically threw justice out the window ... they HAD to save face ... and they knew that the american public could easily be manipulated in this PR disaster ...
like i wrote in the iranian woman thread ... its sad how the same people who are outraged at the torture of an iranian woman are ok with the torture of a 15 year old kid ...
I agree with this...most times this board is like an op-ed article so it fails me as to why there is so much concern over an op-ed article being used to get a point across.
Bottom line is, the US military/government LIED about this kid's situation and because of these lies they continue to lie because the truth would be bad PR for the US. All of this ignores justice and causes a person to suffer just so some people who made bad decisions can save their ass.
No "news" station is going to run this: "Medic actually killed by friendly fire, previously blamed on an incapacitated 15 year old shot twice from behind." People would go ballistic, or at least I hope they would. If not, I'd lose even more faith in humanity.
I agree with this...most times this board is like an op-ed article so it fails me as to why there is so much concern over an op-ed article being used to get a point across.
Bottom line is, the US military/government LIED about this kid's situation and because of these lies they continue to lie because the truth would be bad PR for the US. All of this ignores justice and causes a person to suffer just so some people who made bad decisions can save their ass.
No "news" station is going to run this: "Medic actually killed by friendly fire, previously blamed on an incapacitated 15 year old shot twice from behind." People would go ballistic, or at least I hope they would. If not, I'd lose even more faith in humanity.
people have plenty to go ballistic about ... the entire war on iraq should have everyone up in arms ... but sadly - the loss of innocent life is not something that people ultimately care about ...
the loss of innocent life is not something that people ultimately care about ...
come on, lets not get too crazy here..
dude ... how many innocent people have died in afghanistan and iraq in the last decade!? ... for what reason? ... all the debate in the midterm elections was about constitution and the economy ... meanwhile - you guys are about to spend another $500 million on expanding your embassy in afghanistan ...
the bitter truth is no one, and by no one i mean in general, cares about the people of iraq or afghanistan ... so many lives ruined for greed ... and atypical of people with that motivation, the suffering of others is but an afterthought ...
the loss of innocent life is not something that people ultimately care about ...
come on, lets not get too crazy here..
dude ... how many innocent people have died in afghanistan and iraq in the last decade!? ... for what reason? ... all the debate in the midterm elections was about constitution and the economy ... meanwhile - you guys are about to spend another $500 million on expanding your embassy in afghanistan ...
the bitter truth is no one, and by no one i mean in general, cares about the people of iraq or afghanistan ... so many lives ruined for greed ... and atypical of people with that motivation, the suffering of others is but an afterthought ...
I hear you man... and I agree with most of what you say. But it's not that people dont care. I think a lot of people do care but just dont know what they can do about it. I want to believe that a lot of reasons why Obama got elected was that people saw through the shit that Bush pulled and were sick of the wars. Maybe their complaints were mostly on the spending and the loss of soldiers lives, but I know people were not happy when they heard of innocents dying. To say that nobody cared is ridiculous, unless you mean it like -- not enough people cared, or not the right people cared?... but "in general", if people could prevent innocent peole from dying, I like to think most would try to help.
Maybe why it seems that nobody cares is that (although we can vote and be active in our govt's), we cant take control of the damn military, so what is one to do?
I hear you man... and I agree with most of what you say. But it's not that people dont care. I think a lot of people do care but just dont know what they can do about it. I want to believe that a lot of reasons why Obama got elected was that people saw through the shit that Bush pulled and were sick of the wars. Maybe their complaints were mostly on the spending and the loss of soldiers lives, but I know people were not happy when they heard of innocents dying. To say that nobody cared is ridiculous, unless you mean it like -- not enough people cared, or not the right people cared?... but "in general", if people could prevent innocent peole from dying, I like to think most would try to help.
Maybe why it seems that nobody cares is that (although we can vote and be active in our govt's), we cant take control of the damn military, so what is one to do?
definitely, there is a hopeless feeling when it comes to big picture items ...
but when i say people don't care ... i really mean it as such ... when was the last time you heard about the plight of these people dying at a lunchroom conversation? ... on the news ... at a party ... anywhere ... when?? ...
when people truly care about something - they do something about it ...
i think as a society we are so self-absorbed that the trappings of guilt are something we are not comfortable with ... so, on one hand we allow ourselves an ounce of empathy so as to feel somewhat human but when push comes to shove ... that's it ... we aren't prepared to do the things that would end that suffering ...
I hear you man... and I agree with most of what you say. But it's not that people dont care. I think a lot of people do care but just dont know what they can do about it. I want to believe that a lot of reasons why Obama got elected was that people saw through the shit that Bush pulled and were sick of the wars. Maybe their complaints were mostly on the spending and the loss of soldiers lives, but I know people were not happy when they heard of innocents dying. To say that nobody cared is ridiculous, unless you mean it like -- not enough people cared, or not the right people cared?... but "in general", if people could prevent innocent peole from dying, I like to think most would try to help.
Maybe why it seems that nobody cares is that (although we can vote and be active in our govt's), we cant take control of the damn military, so what is one to do?
definitely, there is a hopeless feeling when it comes to big picture items ...
but when i say people don't care ... i really mean it as such ... when was the last time you heard about the plight of these people dying at a lunchroom conversation? ... on the news ... at a party ... anywhere ... when?? ...
when people truly care about something - they do something about it ...
i think as a society we are so self-absorbed that the trappings of guilt are something we are not comfortable with ... so, on one hand we allow ourselves an ounce of empathy so as to feel somewhat human but when push comes to shove ... that's it ... we aren't prepared to do the things that would end that suffering ...
I've had a few converstaion about it. Not too many, but a few. But that doesnt mean I don't care, or the people I hang with don't care.
Do you care about the innocents dying in afghanistan or Iraq?
if so, what have you dont to help them or change it? talking about it doenst really solve much either.
I've had a few converstaion about it. Not too many, but a few. But that doesnt mean I don't care, or the people I hang with don't care.
Do you care about the innocents dying in afghanistan or Iraq?
if so, what have you dont to help them or change it? talking about it doenst really solve much either.
EXACTLY!!
although i continue to not vote for pro-war candidates and i march at peace rallys and anti-war demonstrations - i would still classify myself in the general populace of don't care ...
dude - did you read the article in the star about the uyghur people who got sent to guantanomo!?? ... they fucking lost years of their lives for nothing ... then they got sent to foreign countries to figure it out on their own ... brutal ...
dude - did you read the article in the star about the uyghur people who got sent to guantanomo!?? ... they fucking lost years of their lives for nothing ... then they got sent to foreign countries to figure it out on their own ... brutal ...
yes it is brutal...the worst part is who can blame these young people if they have rage and hatred toward the west...arrested and locked up for years without proper legal representation or a trial...but something tells me the Harper government will continue to stall in bringing him home.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
yes it is brutal...the worst part is who can blame these young people if they have rage and hatred toward the west...arrested and locked up for years without proper legal representation or a trial...but something tells me the Harper government will continue to stall in bringing him home.
what is scary is the lengths by which people/agencies are prepared to go to NOT admit wrongdoing ... instead of just saying ... ok - he didn't really kill those soldiers ... we locked him up far too long for a kid his age ... here - we ain't giving him a dime but he has his life back ... they much rather stall with legal proceedings ... deny everything and cover as much as possible ... no fucking accountability or integrity whatsoever ...
yes it is brutal...the worst part is who can blame these young people if they have rage and hatred toward the west...arrested and locked up for years without proper legal representation or a trial...but something tells me the Harper government will continue to stall in bringing him home.
what is scary is the lengths by which people/agencies are prepared to go to NOT admit wrongdoing ... instead of just saying ... ok - he didn't really kill those soldiers ... we locked him up far too long for a kid his age ... here - we ain't giving him a dime but he has his life back ... they much rather stall with legal proceedings ... deny everything and cover as much as possible ... no fucking accountability or integrity whatsoever ...
unfortunately that's whats going on ... its time to transfer him back and somehow help him re-enter society ... Unfortunately for him it will be tough for him.
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
unfortunately that's whats going on ... its time to transfer him back and somehow help him re-enter society ... Unfortunately for him it will be tough for him.
unfortunately that's whats going on ... its time to transfer him back and somehow help him re-enter society ... Unfortunately for him it will be tough for him.
yeah ... maybe maher arar can help him some ...
he is going to need help and I'm sure people will step forward to help him
I have certain rules I live by ... My First Rule ... I don't believe anything the government tells me ... George Carlin
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
Comments
I agree with this...most times this board is like an op-ed article so it fails me as to why there is so much concern over an op-ed article being used to get a point across.
Bottom line is, the US military/government LIED about this kid's situation and because of these lies they continue to lie because the truth would be bad PR for the US. All of this ignores justice and causes a person to suffer just so some people who made bad decisions can save their ass.
No "news" station is going to run this: "Medic actually killed by friendly fire, previously blamed on an incapacitated 15 year old shot twice from behind." People would go ballistic, or at least I hope they would. If not, I'd lose even more faith in humanity.
people have plenty to go ballistic about ... the entire war on iraq should have everyone up in arms ... but sadly - the loss of innocent life is not something that people ultimately care about ...
come on, lets not get too crazy here..
dude ... how many innocent people have died in afghanistan and iraq in the last decade!? ... for what reason? ... all the debate in the midterm elections was about constitution and the economy ... meanwhile - you guys are about to spend another $500 million on expanding your embassy in afghanistan ...
the bitter truth is no one, and by no one i mean in general, cares about the people of iraq or afghanistan ... so many lives ruined for greed ... and atypical of people with that motivation, the suffering of others is but an afterthought ...
I hear you man... and I agree with most of what you say. But it's not that people dont care. I think a lot of people do care but just dont know what they can do about it. I want to believe that a lot of reasons why Obama got elected was that people saw through the shit that Bush pulled and were sick of the wars. Maybe their complaints were mostly on the spending and the loss of soldiers lives, but I know people were not happy when they heard of innocents dying. To say that nobody cared is ridiculous, unless you mean it like -- not enough people cared, or not the right people cared?... but "in general", if people could prevent innocent peole from dying, I like to think most would try to help.
Maybe why it seems that nobody cares is that (although we can vote and be active in our govt's), we cant take control of the damn military, so what is one to do?
definitely, there is a hopeless feeling when it comes to big picture items ...
but when i say people don't care ... i really mean it as such ... when was the last time you heard about the plight of these people dying at a lunchroom conversation? ... on the news ... at a party ... anywhere ... when?? ...
when people truly care about something - they do something about it ...
i think as a society we are so self-absorbed that the trappings of guilt are something we are not comfortable with ... so, on one hand we allow ourselves an ounce of empathy so as to feel somewhat human but when push comes to shove ... that's it ... we aren't prepared to do the things that would end that suffering ...
I've had a few converstaion about it. Not too many, but a few. But that doesnt mean I don't care, or the people I hang with don't care.
Do you care about the innocents dying in afghanistan or Iraq?
if so, what have you dont to help them or change it? talking about it doenst really solve much either.
EXACTLY!!
although i continue to not vote for pro-war candidates and i march at peace rallys and anti-war demonstrations - i would still classify myself in the general populace of don't care ...
http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/ ... anada?bn=1
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
it's a friggin' joke ...
dude - did you read the article in the star about the uyghur people who got sent to guantanomo!?? ... they fucking lost years of their lives for nothing ... then they got sent to foreign countries to figure it out on their own ... brutal ...
yes it is brutal...the worst part is who can blame these young people if they have rage and hatred toward the west...arrested and locked up for years without proper legal representation or a trial...but something tells me the Harper government will continue to stall in bringing him home.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
what is scary is the lengths by which people/agencies are prepared to go to NOT admit wrongdoing ... instead of just saying ... ok - he didn't really kill those soldiers ... we locked him up far too long for a kid his age ... here - we ain't giving him a dime but he has his life back ... they much rather stall with legal proceedings ... deny everything and cover as much as possible ... no fucking accountability or integrity whatsoever ...
unfortunately that's whats going on ... its time to transfer him back and somehow help him re-enter society ... Unfortunately for him it will be tough for him.
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon
yeah ... maybe maher arar can help him some ...
he is going to need help and I'm sure people will step forward to help him
"Life Is What Happens To You When Your Busy Making Other Plans" John Lennon