Tuesday, July 15, 2008

He's a Boy. He's just a boy.

So they're releasing the Khadr recordings. We can now see, in all its glory, what it looks like to interrogate a 16-year-old boy who was first brainwashed by religion in childhood, then traumatized by combat at 15 and finally tortured at 16.

Tell me that's right. Tell me there isn't something wrong with humanity when you see that child crying for relief and all his interrogators can do is say, "tough luck".

Omar Khadr isn't a Muslim. He isn't a Christian or an atheist. He's not a Canadian or an Afghan.

He's a child, a human child.

He's a crying child begging for someone in authority to pull him out of the absolute bullshit in to which he was involuntarily delivered. He's suffered like this for six years, almost the maximum punishment Canada would ever give a child who committed a crime at the age of 15.

Go ahead, watch the video. Watch the uncaring interrogators trying to play good cop, bad cop. "Do you want a chocolate bar?" "Turn on the air conditioning" Watch them walk out because they can't bear to see him cry. Watch them walk out because they can't bear to see what's been done to this poor, pathetic wretch of a child.

Omar Khadr isn't alone, not even Gitmo is alone. Children are being drafted in to military service all over the world. They're being terrorized by governments, by armies, by paramilitaries the world over. And it's our greed that's doing it. Our greed, as we scrape the bottom of every barrel for every last vestige of oil, minerals and cheap labour, is what leads to children in these situations. We have more than enough power to stop all of it, but that power is rarely used for anything but making it worse.

Let's get this boy home. Let's demonstrate to the world that we're trying to make it a better place, a safer place for children. Let's take at least one god damned step in the right direction.

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28 comments:

rabbit said...

This "boy" was old enough to (allegedly) kill an American soldier with a grenade.

You should have mentioned that inconvenient fact in your posting.

LeDaro said...

Greg,right on, totally agree with you.

Rabbit, he killed a soldier? What proof do you have other than Bush's words who also claimed that Saddam had Weapons of Mass Destruction. Bloody liar.

How many innocent citizens American soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq? I suppose in your book those do not matter because they were not US or Canadian citizens. Hypocrisy, eh!

rabbit said...

Ledaro:

Whatever sins George Bush may be guilty of, it in no way excuses the killing of an American soldier by a Canadian citizen.

I don't know if Khadr threw that grenade. If you read his history, however, there is no doubt that he was an "enemy combatant" and had been trained by terrorists.

This boy is no innocent bystander, and to ignore that is to ignore a vital part of the story.

LeDaro said...

rabbit, I am not saying it should be ignored. All I am saying that he should be given a chance to prove himself innocent through a fair trial and not by the military court of lying Bush.

Thanks for the clarification.

Beijing York said...

This version of events sounds more accurate in my opinion:

And what, exactly, is Omar Khadr’s “crime”?

As far as I can tell, if he did toss that grenade (and there is testimony from American witnesses that the thrower may have been another man, who was killed in the resulting US barrage of fire), Khadr was simply demonstrating extraordinary bravery of the kind that would earn a silver star, at least, had it been a US soldier or marine doing the same thing under the same circumstances. Consider: he and his comrades-in-arms, battling in defense of their religion and, in some cases, their nation, were bombarded from the air. They were then approached by armed US troops-the very ones who had called in the air strike. This was a battle, and it was not over yet. For all Khadr knew, those US soldiers were going to kill them all. And in any event, Khadr and his fellow fighters had a right to defend themselves to the death to prevent capture. Sure it’s unfortunate that Sgt. Speer was killed, but that’s what happens in wars.

Still, a fighter killing another fighter during warfare is not the act of a “terrorist.” It may be brutal and it may be tragic, but it is the act of a soldier. That soldier, if captured, is not a criminal, but a POW. Moreover, if he is a child, the Geneva Conventions and the subsequent protocol mentioned above, require that he be treated not as a POW but as a victim of war.

Bush and Cheney don’t want to admit that the people fighting US forces in Afghanistan are legitimate soldiers, entitled to protection under the rules of war. They want us to believe that anyone who takes up a gun in defense of their homeland or of the homeland of their allies, and fights against the US military forces that are spread all over the globe like Roman Legions of old, are “terrorists,” deserving of whatever fate we hand them, by whatever rules we want to gin up.

But it’s worth remembering that this particular “terrorist,” at the time of his “crime,” was simply a scared and badly-wounded 15-year-old kid who had the balls to toss a grenade at well-armed soldiers on a search-and-destroy mission.

In an interesting twist that further highlights the absurdity of calling a 15-year-old a hardened terrorist, Speer’s widow, Tabitha, and another soldier who lost an eye in the grenade blast, sued not Khadr, but his father’s estate, claiming that his “failure to control his son” had been the proximate cause of their losses. A federal district judge, in February 2006, awarded the two $102.6 million in damages. In other words, the court concluded Khadr wasn’t responsible for his actions; his father was. And yet the US is prosecuting Omar Khadr for being a hardened terrorist at an age when he was too young to drive!


http://winnipeg.indymedia.org/item.php?17600S

Other than his father's connection to AQ, there is absolutely no evidence that he was a trained terrorist.

I read elsewhere quite awhile ago that he was living with his mother and sister, while his father and older brothers were involved with fighting. It was only when it became dangerous to be a young male in the village where they lived that he was sent to stay with an uncle and ended up with a fighting group.

LeDaro said...

Beijing York, excellent comment. I agree with you 100%. There is a horrible double standard. I am totally ashamed that Harper is our Prime Minister. He is nothing more than a poodle to George W. Bush.

Greg said...

I didn't mention that he is alleged to killed an American soldier because that's quite well known. I also didn't mention that American torture involves broomsticks and electrodes on testicles, so we'll call it even.

The important word, if it mattered, is "alleged". You're not allowed to punish people for being "alleged", only "convicted". And even at "convicted", there are rules against the broomsticks and electrodes.

On top of that he was, as I said, a religiously brainwashed little kid who was undoubtedly told that he was being a good Muslim defending his faith against the evil Crusaders.

If a child under 16 can't consent to sex and isn't responsible for putting on his own seatbelt, why should we consider him eligible to consent to war? And it was war, not terrorism, as terrorism is defined by the USMC as violence against civilians, not soldiers.

He should be brought home and rehabilitated, though I can't imagine how long that will take after six years of hospitality at Gitmo.

Beijing York said...

You would be surprised how well victims of torture can be rehabilitated, if rehabilitated is even the right word for it. I would call it recovery.

We have lots of former South American refugees Canadians who were tortured and are among our most outstanding civil rights advocates. Many of those tortured by Franco also continued to fight for civil rights and progress after released from their captors.

Rehabilitated implies that a crime has been committed. We don't know that any crime has been committed by Omar Khadr. We know that he experienced things that no teenager should ever have to go through.

Anonymous said...

Lt.C. Ralph Peters on Omar Khadr Gitmo Tape: "We Should Have Killed That Punk on a Battlefield where it was legal to do so!"

Watch video at http://muslimsagainstsharia.blogspot.com/2008/07/ltc-ralph-peters-on-omar-khadr-gitmo.html

Beijing York said...

That Lt.C. Ralph Peters is one piece of work. I'm so glad that Khadr's military appointed lawyer is such a decent and well-spoken man who hasn't drunk the "they're all terrorists" kool aid.

Anonymous said...

"What proof do you have other than Bush's words who also claimed that Saddam had Weapons of Mass Destruction."

What about 500+ tons of Uranium, you stupid fuck?

"drunk the "they're all terrorists" kool aid."

Taliban are terrorists. Fighting for Taliban is terrorism.

Greg said...

M.A.S.,

That's ironic, cursing someone else's ignorance while confusing yellowcake - which can be bought for approximately $11/pound - with weapons grade uranium.

On top of that you're confusing terrorism (violence against civilians) with war (violence between an invading army and the population).

Thanks for coming out and displaying the ignorance of the right wing. Every little bit helps.

LeDaro said...

Muslims Against humanity who advocates child molestation and that is all what was done to Khadr. 500+ tons uranium? Now Harper has it. Should Bush not invade him too, arrest him and hang him.

Uranium is also used to produce electricity. Why your dad Bush gets so upset when anyone even has uranium when he has thousands of nukes himself that he can destroy the globe many times over.

Go push your head into Bush's ass or go back to jungle where other barbarians and cannibals live. It is your kind who gives bad name to your community. Take a small t.v. with you so you can watch Faux News from your cave or hole.

Sorry Greg, I did not want to use this kind of language on your blog but this cannibal leaves me no choice. Now this is an immigrant who should be deported.

Anonymous said...

“That's ironic, cursing someone else's ignorance while confusing yellowcake - which can be bought for approximately $11/pound - with weapons grade uranium.”

Are you really that dumb? First, Yellowcake is enrichable to weapons-grade. Second, what possible purpose could any type of Uranium serve in a country that does not have a nuclear energy program?

“On top of that you're confusing terrorism (violence against civilians) with war (violence between an invading army and the population).”

If you weren’t such a moron, you could have realized that fighting for terrorist organization is terrorism, not matter who the fighting is against.

“Muslims Against humanity who advocates child molestation”

You must be a really stupid shit to claim that Khadr’s treatment amounts to child molestation. When your cousin dad made you blow him, that WAS child molestation. When his sister (your mom) gave you a lobotomy using unsterilized spork, that WAS child molestation. Listening to little shit’s cries IS NOT child molestation.

“Uranium is also used to produce electricity.”

In Iraq? Just because you make shit up, it doesn’t become true outside of your numb skull.

“Go push your head into Bush's ass”

A degenerate leftard demagogue would automatically assume that anyone who disagrees with him must be a right-wing nutjob. What’s funny, it goes both ways. You’re just as stupid as right-wing degenerate ideologues. You must be sucking on the same ass fumes.

LeDaro said...

Muslims Against Humanity, if you are looking for any sympathy then you are working against yourself by behaving like a complete jackass. Your first post:

1)You are providing a link to Faux News - the pits. Right there you turn people off.
2) You're advocating child molestation because that is exactly what happened to Khadr
3) Some numbskull cowardly person says on Faux News that they should have killed Khadr. They did not keep him alive out of sympathy or humanity. They saw a young teenager who they could manipulate to say things which then can be used to carry out further carnage in Afghanistan. I suppose they did not get much out of him instead he was sexually molested. Do you have children numbskull and I hope they are raped and molested like that then you may understand. However, I should not wish that even on your children.

You have proven that you're nothing more than a barbarian and cannibal who wants to eat his own children. I hope when you arrive at your cave tonight ,asshole, a bigger cannibal gets you.

Now you are one immigrant who should be deported and placed in Gitmo. No one will feel sorry for you. It is your type, I repeat, who make your community look like bunch of barbarians.

Anonymous said...

"You are providing a link to Faux News - the pits. Right there you turn people off."

Please do not confuse dumbfucks with people.

"You're advocating child molestation because that is exactly what happened to Khadr"

You sucking off your dad IS child molestation. Khadr's father bringing him to Taliban IS child molestation. Keeping him in Gitmo IS NOT.

"Some numbskull cowardly person says on Faux News that they should have killed Khadr."

Lt.C. Peters is a decorated combat vet. Because of people like him, dumbshits like you are able to post comments on this blog.

"You have proven that you're nothing more than a barbarian and cannibal who wants to eat his own children."

Please do not project your family values onto us. If you enjoy eating (out) your cousin mom, it doesn't mean that everyone else does.

LeDaro said...

Muslims Against Humanity, you have completely lost whatever your cause is by behaving like a stinking shit. I feel sorry for you. Is that what your religion taught you - vulgarity.

When you are in a hole stop digging. You are not getting any fans. Now I know what religious fanatics are like. Assholes like you.

Lt.C. Peters decorated by whom, numbskull Bush. By invading Iraq we are all in danger of losing liberty and freedom. Have you not heard of FISA – newest bill that your daddy Bush is so happy about. It takes away people’s rights and liberties. Is that what Lt. C Peters was decorated for? Man/woman grow up.

Greg said...

I'm really flattered that you guys are busting out like this on my blog, but it's getting silly.

M.A.S. - the problem with Sharia law is that it treats humans like crap. People should be free to have their religion, but not to force it on others and use it to hurt them.

That's what's wrong with Khadr's treatment. He was a brainwashed boy in the wrong place at the wrong time. Your vengeful declaration that he should die is no better than advocating stoning a woman for any of a number of Islamic offenses. And your worship of an American soldier is no better than a militant Muslim's devotion to his cause.

Furthermore, Lt.C. Peters did not receive a medal for defending freedom, nor did his deceased comrade die for freedom. Though their intentions may have been noble, they died for the purpose of seizing oil fields and building pipelines.

Beijing York - I can only hope that Khadr can be healed and have a reasonable human life. If they could fix Dallaire, I'm sure they can fix this kid.

LeDaro said...

Greg, I agree with you. I apologize for rough language. MAS started advocating mistreatment of a young man. This young man knew nothing better. A young person is totally susceptible to his/her environment. Starting with his father and then GITMO where he was sexually molested. No civilized person can approve that.

I agree about Sharia. Again religion gone wild. I do not think it is the religion as such it is the exploitation of it for control and power.

My advice to MAS is to pick a better topic than Khadr tragedy to promote his/her cause.

Thank you for putting up with my comments. I did get annoyed with MAS.

Anonymous said...

"You are not getting any fans."

Islamic fundamentalist don't appreciate us that much either, but having a cocksucker like you as a fan would be an insult.

"Lt.C. Peters decorated by whom, numbskull Bush."

Considering that he retired in 1998, he probably held his most important posts under Clinton. But what a few years either way for a dumbfuck like you?

"It takes away people’s rights and liberties."

Which rights and liberties does it take from you, you stupid fuck?

"M.A.S. - the problem with Sharia law is that it treats humans like crap. People should be free to have their religion, but not to force it on others and use it to hurt them."

No shit, Einstein!

"He was a brainwashed boy in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Who gives a fuck? He killed a man. Why don't you try to present your half-baked explanation to the widow and children of Sgt. First Class Christopher J. Speer? See how well would this go over.

"And your worship of an American soldier is no better than a militant Muslim's devotion to his cause."

That American soldier is what keeps your dumb ass free from jizya.

"Though their intentions may have been noble, they died for the purpose of seizing oil fields and building pipelines."

Are you one of those dumbfucks who suddenly discovered oil in Afghanistan? Why do you feel compelled to repeat every bullshit line that you ever heard? How hard is it to take your heads out of your ass and think for yourself?

"MAS started advocating mistreatment of a young man."

You're a dumb lying fuck. Keeping this piece of shit in Gitmo is not a mistreatment.

"I agree about Sharia. Again religion gone wild."

But apparently you are too fucking dumb to realize that this little shit and his compatriots want to impose it on you, you dumb dhimmi fuck.

LeDaro said...

Muslims Against Humanity, and you do not call yourself "Islamic fundamentalist". Your behaviour is despicable and you are just digging deeper.

Any religious fanatic is abhorable and sadly you're one of them. Since I do not allow your comments on my blog anymore, you're taking advantage of Greg. You're the worst kind of Internet bully and you should be banned, period. You must be reported to Google.

You're helping no one including yourself.

Greg said...

Discovered oil in Afghanistan? No, it's the pipeline they want, so the natural gas and oil to the northwest of Afghanistan doesn't go to the Russians or the Chinese.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080619/afghan_pipeline_080619/20080621?hub=Specials

And the idea that these wars are fought for our freedom is misguided at best, deception at worst. Every emperor, king and president who has invaded anyone has always called it liberation and self-defense. Poland was about to attack Germany, you know. Iraq was massing on the Saudi Arabian border, we were told. The Sandanistas were a day's march from Texas.

Nobody ever goes to war for greed. There's always some noble cover story, whether it be god or country, but every war is about greed.

Anonymous said...

“you do not call yourself "Islamic fundamentalist"”

Do you even know what Islamic fundamentalism is, you stupid fuck?

“Any religious fanatic is abhorable and sadly you're one of them.”

I have no idea what “abhorable” means, but what exactly qualifies us as religious fanatics?

“Since I do not allow your comments on my blog anymore”

You’re not allowing our comments after we stopped posting them, you stupid fuck?

“You're the worst kind of Internet bully and you should be banned, period. You must be reported to Google.”

Are you gonna complain to your mommy too, you fucking pussy?

“No, it's the pipeline they want, so the natural gas and oil to the northwest of Afghanistan doesn't go to the Russians or the Chinese.”

So invasion of Afghanistan has nothing to do with 9/11. It’s all for oil, you dumb conspiracy fuck. Why don’t you talk to Afghanis who live in North America, you stupid shit?

LeDaro said...

Greg, I get the feeling MAS is a desperate woman who does not get men because of either she is very ugly or she is obnoxious. May be should consider joining an Escort Agency and some idiots may actually pay to get between her legs.

I think she is enjoying all this swearing and then self-helping.

Anonymous said...

What's with projecting, you jerk-off?

LeDaro said...

Out of respect for Greg I was not going to use any dirty word anymore but I will suggest enjoy your dildo and have a nap afterwords. May be your mind will work better.

Greg said...

M.A.S. - it's natural gas, not oil. And it stops being a conspiracy theory when the only place people are dying is right where the pipeline is going.

At that point, we stop calling it a "theory" and start calling it a fact. 9/11 happened shortly after the Taliban took back their permission for the pipeline. So then they attacked the U.S., probably due to American pressure. That's not even complicated enough to call a "conspiracy".

It's just war, war as it's always been: greed cloaked by religion.

And if the two of you aren't going to stop with the swearing, I'm going to have to figure out how to cap the comments.

Anonymous said...

leftardo, stop with projections already. The fact that cousin mom enjoys abusing you with a strap-on does not mean that it is a widely accepted practice.

Greg, why not come out and say that 9/11 was orchestrated by Bush, Cheney, and Evil Joos? So many Obamaniacs believe that, don't you?