Re: A few thoughts about the latest scandal.
Hi,<br /><br />I am in agreement with JB. One can never condone such conduct irrespective of how many extenuating circumstances one may come up with....<br /><br />HOWEVER<br /><br />that is the theory. The difference between theory and practice is that in practice the theory seldom works.<br /><br />I am not condoning these actions but would like to give my experience as an military officer in the infantry core having fought in guerilla wars in two African countries.<br /><br />There is a strange group dynamic that exists in the army. The possibility of dying at any given moment brings on unique pressures and unique bonds of friendship. These pressure are often dealt with in differing ways, some drink to excess, some will take drugs, some will harden their hearts...each will find their own method of working through the stress. Find a release or potentially go to pieces. The bonds of friendship created will often never be broken, not even after many years of separation.<br /><br />Now for those who harden their hearts it becomes easier for them to justify their actions as being correct and within the new boundries they have unconciously set themselves, consequently they are more open to committing the acts in question.<br /><br />Another thought, imagine trying to stop the brains of a friend with a critical headwound from seeping out his shattered cranium and then to have him breathe his last whilst in your arms (real story). This situation brings on emotive forces that are very difficult to explain, the resulting surge of feelings can lead to a very different and often uncharacteristic behavioural patterns. One must never discount the effect of intense emotional stress on the decision making process.<br /><br />In my war experience I have seen many atrocities, committed on both sides. I have come to the conclusion that war pushes some over the edge far easier than others. I have seen softly spoken family men who on donning a uniform take on an entire different persona and become people one would not want to have around. I have seen the negative effect that authority has on some people turning them into tyrants. Consider those people already teetering on the edge when presented with the right circumstance would relish the opportunity to do certain things.<br /><br />I could write chapters on this but suffice to say it would be niave if any of us believed that any country could enter war and remain blameless. It does not make it right but one must consider all the dynamics before reaching some form of understanding. <br /><br />Finally with regard to interrogation. Accurate information gathered from one captive can often save many lives later. Without bringing pressure to bear on captives how on earth could they be persuaded to "spill the beans"?<br /><br />I don't have an answer for this complex issue but would honestly have to say that I have given orders for my men to resort to "unconventional means" in the hope that the information gathered would save the lives of my men. At the time I believed that this was militarily the correct course of action. Since my military days I have married and fathered children, my perspective on life has altered considerably and my level of compassion has increased dramatically. 20 years older and wiser and with my civilian hat on I would never consider repeating those actions, but would say that when faced with the life and death situation of war....I don't know, each sitution is unique and judged on it's unique merits. <br /><br />I must add that on each occasion I had to conciously suppress my "feelings" as far as what was possible in order to make a cold calculating decision that was in the best interests of the situation.<br /><br />Sobering thoughts....for me at least. I don't condone any actions (nor my own) but do understand why.<br /><br />Andrew
