[Winona Online Democracy] On the subject of soldiers obeying orders or not if they are in a questionable situation, this was also answered quite clearly a few weeks ago when the first news of abuse at Abu Ghraib prison came to light. Many news analysts and experts I heard said the military's policy was quite clear that a soldier must obey a "lawful order", but is obliged to disobey an order which he or she knows is not lawful, such as mistreatment of prisoners under Geneva conventions, etc. How something like this would actually play out in the field under battle or in a foreign place (such as a large overcrowded prison) I can only imagine.
I know how hard it is to wrestle with little day-to-day decisions from my superiors in a calm professional office in Minneapolis. I feel for the struggle of junior military people when faced with opposing their senior officers in an awful place like Abu Ghraib or Afghanistan. I think it means we punish the junior people appropriately but throw the whole book and then some at the senior people. Phil Carlson, Mpls _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
