Taxi to the Dark Side

Last night, I went to watch the film Taxi to the Dark Side, a documentary about the US abuse of detainees at war prison camps in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Cuba. It contained absolutely horrific footage--inhuman, sickening! At first, I did not think I would be able to sit through it. I have such mixed feelings about the film. So, the supposed "reason" for the inhuman abuse is to obtain information about terrorists and US-security threats. When really, only about 1% of the people ever held in the camps are dangerous. The techniques used in the camps are not considered war crimes or abuse or murder (in some cases) because the detainees are "terrorists" and "war-criminals" and therefore not covered under the Geneva Convention (according to GB's definition). Bush, by the way, pardoned himself and other senior government officials and military officers from ever being held responsible or tried for war-crimes. Convenient.

And if they were not "terrorists" before they entered the camps, when the detainees are let out, do you suppose they have a good view of Americans? I would be very surprised if many did not join a militant group to get revenge when/if they are let out.

I was absolutely dumbfounded...How can these soldiers treat these people like this? They are people...with families, with so little possessions and money. They live in a war zone in shacks and some spend their days picking rocks to build fences. They have nothing or very little, in our sense, but this is their life, all they know.

But I think, what would I do if I were a soldier, told by my superiors to "get the information" with a little wink and nod and "permission" to do whatever it takes to get that information? Would I be able to stand up to them--in a foreign country, surrounded by other soldiers doing those same crimes, with the US "security" on the line, and say "no?" It is easy to think I know what I would do, sitting here at my computer--safe and warm and not in a war-zone.

I am not trying to bash the government (But I do put the blame on them 100%!). Or bring about a bad light to a great day (it is going to be 60 degrees here today!). Or turn the upbeat nature of this blog into an argumentative- government-hating debate.

I am thankful I am an American and the freedoms I have--I choose to come to SF, so I did and I can...I have that right. However, it is so upsetting to me sometimes as one of the most advanced, most technical, wealthy nations in the world, we are not setting a good example. The US could be so much more...sometimes it is so embarrassing and maddening!

My soapbox (for today): Please vote. Please make informed decisions about who you elect to run our government...or don't vote at all. And in which case, you have no reason to complain.

And recycle too.