I know that this isn't about prisons or prisoners, but someone just broached this topic under another thread and I think it may be too important to loose there.
We have just witnessed the videotaped beheading of an American, in Iraq. And, whether it be American, or anyone else, how does the world put an end to this kind of stuff? Yes it is sickening, and so are the abuses of prisoners, in those prisons.
However, I think that we can put an end to those prison abuses. What concerns me is:
how do we end the terrorist acts?
One gets the impression that these fanatics do not want peace, they only want everyone dead, who does not follow their faith.
I hate to point a finger as muslims, because I do belive that the vast majority of them are good people and believe in loving their fellow man. At least I hope so. I don't know what the Holy Koran says about it.
What I am wondering is when are the muslims going to take responsibility for some of those fanatics within their own society? We, in the west, we Americans, will take responsibility for our wrong doers. But, we expect them to do the same.
Is it possible to live in peace, or must we kill them all, to protect ourselves?
I am hoping, that if we have any muslim friends, in here, that we might get their opinion on this. The first step toward understanding, is talking.

__________________
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy.

Xray, that is a good point you bring. I grew up with the Koran my whole life. Nowhere in it does it say that muslims need to kill others who don't believe in the faith. These terrorists are sickening and to use the Koran as a tool or an excuse is just disgusting. I don't agree with any of what is going on at all, and many muslims don't. These people have been brought up with hate in their hearts towards the west and more specifically the States. I mean the States has done some good, but it also has done some bad. However that does not mean that they need to kill people. 9/11 was a horrendous act and they proclaimed that its Islamic or whatever. But it is not, and anybody that says that is uneducated and I am sorry to say ignorant as well. There are a lot of issues that need to be dealt with. The war in Iraq is out of hand, the number of civilians and soldiers dying is unbelievable. I know they claim to be muslims, and they do this for God, but they are Shiite(sp?) extremists who have been brainwashed into committing these gruesome acts. It is just my opinion anyway... and some will disagree but I have been born and raised in an Islamic country but non of these thoughts and beliefs were forced on us. We are taught to love all and accept all. I hope I did not say anything to offend anyone... in no way do I intend to. Its just my opinion and my thoughts on the situation.

Thank you for your response, Xmasangel.
I would like to amend my first post by saying not that "we will" but that "we must" be responsible for our wrong doers. And, by that, I mean the west (ie: America). I can understand the hatred against us, and right now, we have a regime, in power, that worships only money. I hope to see that changing soon.
I believe that there are many Americans, of good will, who want only to see peace and a good life for all. Sometimes those wishes get lost in the muddle of politics.

__________________
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly.

Cowards are cruel, but the brave love mercy.

Xray, I completely understand and agree with you. Each side has to take responsibility for what they are doing. My mom always says there is the good and the bad in everything.. and I think that is forgotten when extremists look at the States, and also when some Americans look at muslims. Again, just my opinion on the subject.

I used to work with several men who moved here from Pakistan. They were devout Muslims. Wonderful people, wonderful families. This was pre- 9-11, but I can tell you that they would never have approved of acts like we're seeing now. I don't think the people doing these things represent Muslim religion anymore than the people bombing abortion clinics represent Christians.

I truly believe the ones with such hateful beliefs are the ones who grew up in an uneducated environment and were brought up with the idea that westerners are not good people. Like you said though, they definitely do not represent muslims.

I just received the video by e-mail.

It's just....I don't have any words to describe my feelings.

I had nothing against Muslims up till now but are the fanatics that beheaded this young man, still healthy in their mind ?
God, how would they react if we would slaughter their own son or daughter in such a horrible way ?

My condolances to the family of this young man. I have no other words for it.

Wen from Belgium

well sadly enough Wen, they probably wouldn't react if this happened or happens to their own...death to them is nothing, human life to these types means nothing...and i agree with you, there really are no words to describe how awful this is.

I can empathize with how everyone is feeling. The image of that American man being beheaded is gruesome as hell. OTOH the images of what our own people did, going into Iraqi villages, arresting every male w/o probable cause, jailing him, and then humilating and torturing him, is not pretty or excusable either. Unlike xray (we're respectfully disagreeing again lol), I do not believe that those truly responsible for our wrongdoings will pay the price. It'll be the underlings who carried out orders that are held responsible. There is currently some debate as to whether or not the MP was acting under orders. Puhleez! SOMEBODY higher up would have to have known. Indeed, the Red Cross is saying they had brought these allegations forward for months. I'm sorry, but I'm more inclined to believe the Red Cross than the Republican govt.

I am sure this topic could be very volitile, so I will try not to offend anyone. The reason I have a difficult time not lumping all muslims together, comes from the fact that after 9-11 no major Islamic group came forward and said, "we are sorry", and "not all muslims feel this way and act this way", and "we are terribly sorry". Things that make ya go hhhmmmm.

We are in a war, not happy fun time. Some people would like to be kept in the dark about all aspects of war- to be shielded from the ugly parts, but revel in the victory and glory afterward. The pictures we see from the liberal media supposedly of "torture" of the Iraqi prisoners is part of interogation. They weren't being burned alive and their bodies chopped up and strung up in public, nor were they being beheaded and videod. I can't believe more American people aren't OUTRAGED by the way our people - civilians mind you-have been truly tortured. Instead, they want to be outraged and call for "committees to investigate" because Iraqi prisoners are being humiliated ???? They want our president to apologize and pay restitution ???? We need to get behind our military, let them take care of business, not question their every move, and get them home. Wake up America.