Some Iraqi Perspective on Prisoner Issues
From the Seattle Post Intelligencer
The abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of U.S. soldiers draws intense reactions from some who left Iraq to find freedom in Washington state, but prolonged outrage isn't one of them.
While some local Iraqis are bothered by the images, others welcome them.
"It's a terrible thing and it adds more wood to the fire," said Hussein Al-Muhanna, who came to the United States in 1993. "(But) to me, it's not the issue I have to worry about. To me, the main issue is Iraq's future."
Imad al-Turfy, another Everett resident, shows no sympathy for the prisoners, saying their treatment paled when compared with the horrors inflicted under Saddam Hussein's regime.
"They raped our women. They killed our kids. So there's hatred between us, the people here, and the people in Iraq," he said, referring to the Shiite Muslims who emigrated and the Sunni Muslims who ruled Iraq under Saddam.
"Anything coming to them would make me happy."
Mark's Remarks
These Iraqis make an excellent point. Would there even be mention of "torture" by Saddam under his regime? Under Saddam, these 6 or 7 soldiers would have been promoted. The cause of this US firestorm pales in comparison to the atrocities committed by Saddam's regime. Where is the apology of Saddam for the rape rooms, the torture chambers?
What these 6 or 7 soldiers did is deplorable, and unacceptable. However, I ask that people look at the previous regime and compare the atrocities there before we condemn anyone for the acts of 6 or 7 individuals.
The good news is, many Iraqis over here and over there get it:
(emphasis is mine)
Mosafer Al-Yaseri, a Lynnwood resident, said that the abuse by some soldiers should not taint the overall efforts of the U.S. Army.
"(The Iraqis) feel soldiers come from good families. Over there, there are 135,000 soldiers. Out of that, 10 people are bad," he said.
His cousin, Salam Al-Yaseri, said that the images were "not good for the American government or the American people. ... As you know, we are Muslims. This is a very bad thing in our religion. The people that did this did not (represent) the American people."
Indeed, indeed. So, just a little bit of perspective from those who suffered under the previous regime, a regime that was systemic in atrocities, unlike the present situation where a few bad folks have come to the forefront.
