Cruel and Unusual Punishment

I really hate getting angry first thing in the morning. I hadn't even finished cup one of coffee when I read this. Talk about our country going in the wrong direction. I'm appalled at the incompetence of the issuer of this order, and his head should roll. I'm contacting my congress people today. You should, too.

Our forces in Iraq depend heavily on Iraqi interpreters, obviously, since we Americans aren't exactly fluent in this foreign land. These interpreters work under tremendous threat to their lives, not only from hazards of war but from death threats for working with the US. Some 300 have been killed since 2003, many targeted for execution because of their traitorous cooperation with American troops. So they have taken to wearing masks to keep their identities secret and improve their chances of staying alive.

Some bureaucratic genius has decided it is no longer acceptable for the interpreters to wear masks. In an email to the Washington Post, Army Spokesman Lt. Col. Steve Stover gave this rationale, if you can call it that:

We are a professional Army and professional units don't conceal their identity by wearing masks.

He went on to suggest that if interpreters don't like it, they can "seek alternative employment".

News flash to Lt. Col. Stover: Until your professional Army and professional units become fluent speakers of the language in the country you are fighting, you need interpreters from the outside.

Can your troops protect themselves? Yes. They wear armor and carry weapons.

Aren't we supposed to be protecting civilians and winning them over to our goodness as part of the counterinsurgency strategy?

Clue: these interpreters you are putting at risk are saving your butts every day.
They work alongside our soldiers, they are kidnapped, killed, threatened until they quit or die, move away from their families so they are not put at risk, keep irregular schedules to reduce the chances of being picked off on the way to work.

My Dad used to tell us, "Use you head for something besides a hat rack." Let the 'terps wear their damn masks.

Yes, heads should roll. Start with LC Smart Mouth and work your way up.