A Human Decency Primer
I see the anti-nuance force (a.k.a. the “willfully stupid brigade”) defending US torture activity at Abu Ghraib (and most likely other places as well) are a little confused about some of the details.
Torture V. Hazing: I see it’s in vogue to follow Limbaugh’s lead and refer to the torture of detainees as “hazing.” The primary difference between hazing and torture is that hazing is generally something you have explicitly signed on for, generally with the expectation that after it’s all over you can go have a beer with your new friends.
Snuff Film v. Pornography: Many people—Limbaugh included—have tried to minimize the impact of the photos themselves by saying people make and sell photos like these every day on the Internet. Of course, it’s generally done with the willing participation of all involved as opposed to random Iraqis picked up on the street, incarcerated, and threatened with dogs. (And they are random Iraqis—not hardened terrorists—by the Army’s own admission).
Honestly, anyone who thinks these differences are no difference needs to be locked up far away from the rest of humanity. Like, maybe Mars.
