Monday, January 05, 2004

Policing Their Own                                                    It's good to see the Army policing its own ranks by holding responsible individual soldiers for their mistreatment of Iraqi POWs. The curious thing is that one of those soldiers disciplined was a women. I guess it goes to show that all humans are capable of cruelty. It's also admirable that these soldier's fellow soldiers are the ones who saw the mistreatment and turned them in. They put the honor of the Army and the United States above their personal loyalty, always the correct decision but oftentimes a difficult one. "Master Sgt. Lisa Girman was found guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to safeguard an Iraqi detainee in her control, the Army said. Girman also was found guilty of maltreatment of an Iraqi detainee by knocking him to the ground and repeatedly kicking him in the groin, abdomen and head while encouraging subordinates to do the same. Staff Sgt. Scott McKenzie was found guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to safeguard Iraqi detainees from assault and abuse, the Army said. McKenzie was also convicted of maltreatment of an Iraqi detainee by dragging him by his armpits across the ground, maltreatment of an Iraqi detainee by throwing him to the ground on his face and stepping on his previously injured arm, and making false statements to investigators. McKenzie was demoted to sergeant. Spc. Timothy Canjar was found guilty of dereliction of duty for failing to safeguard Iraqis under his control, according to the Army. He also was convicted of maltreatment of an Iraqi detainee by holding his legs apart while kicking him in the groin and maltreatment of an Iraqi detainee by violently twisting his previously injured arm and causing him to scream in pain. Canjar was demoted to private." 6:37:32 PM    Gimme your feedback! []

Exceptional Illegality                                               As the discipline of International Relations expands and grows so do new theories join our current pantheon alongside older theories like Hegemonic Stability Theory, Modernization Theory and Dependency Theory. A new and exciting theory is one called Exceptional Illegality. It has been proposed and honed by Michael Byers of Duke University and explained further in this piece at the Carnegie Council. Exceptional Illegality is this: "...in the truly exceptional situation where a serious threat exists, no invitation can be obtained, and the [UN Security] council is not prepared to act, states should simply violate international law without advancing strained and potentially destabilizing legal justifications. States could then allow their action to be assessed subsequently, not in terms of the law, but in terms of its political and moral legitimacy, with a view toward mitigating their responsibility rather than exculpating themselves." This theory calls for a re-design of the current international framework as well as a redefinition of state soverignty to deal with the newly emerging threats of the 21st century. Exciting and bold thinking from Michael Byers and one which encourages us as student of statecraft to expand out minds in new and different ways. 2:45:24 PM    Gimme your feedback! []

Rebellion Brews... So I've gotten a couple of e-mails from a couple of Salon bloggers who shall remain nameless. They're upset I am getting so many hits and they're not, despite the fact I am getting said hits legitimately and all that shizzle. I think this quote from Ice Cube's White Cave Bitch best describes my feelings on this issue: "I'm coming from the land where the choppers roam, so fuck you bitch and your Coppertone..." Enough said on this subject, for good... 1:43:26 PM    Gimme your feedback! []

More Snow Why? WHYYYYY? 12:36:02 PM    Gimme your feedback! []

© Copyright 2004 Shane Hensinger.

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