The next article I choose to read was called “Abu Ghraib and the Normalization of Torture and Hate” written by Mohamad Alkadry and Matthew Witt. This article discussed what was done at the prison and why they the soldiers did what they did to the prisoners. It talks about how the soldiers were charged with up to ten years in prison and there were about 15 guards. The guards said at their trials that they were only doing what they were ordered to do to the prisoners, just like the Nazis claimed (136). The guards were not given specific orders to harm or torture the prisoners, but their commanders condoned it and did not punish them for doing so. In the article, the author related to the Stanford Prison Experiment and Milgram shock experiment to help explain why the soldiers tortured the prisoners (136). The author states how the abuse and torture that the prisoners faced was cruel and inhumane and that even though they are bad people, they still do not deserve that type of treatment. It is stated that the soldiers were trying to “soften them up for interrogation,” which in my opinion was just an excuse (136). It also provides testimonials of soldiers and one even said how he could have stopped some of the torturing, but he didn’t. Also there were testimonies provided in the article from various prisoners, and they talked about how badly they were treated. A good question that was asked in the article was, “Is torture of a terrorist legitimate if it saves the lives of innocent people?” In my opinion, I do not think it is right.
Overall, from reading this article I hoped to learn more about why the soldiers did the awful things that they did and who exactly gave them the orders to do so. Also I hope to learn more about if the loss of humanity can be related back to an authority position or power, which I think it can. I also hope that I find some good quotes that back up my paper as well.
Alkadry, Mohamad G., and Matthew T. Witt. "Abu Ghraib and the Normalization of
Torture and Hate." Public Integrity 11.2 (2009): 135-153. Academic Search
Complete. ebsco. web. 7 Apr. 2011.
Have you thought about looking at the other side? Such as does this torture result in even more corruption within the prisoners' minds?
ReplyDeleteThat is a very good point! No I have not thought about that. Do you think I could use that also in my paper to give two sides or what??
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