The Billiken's Bluff

I know I keep dwelling on this Abu Ghraib scandal, but I just can't believe some of these photographs coming out. I know I posted not even 2 hours ago, and sarcastically commented (as I've been known to do), "that the US isn't running an afterschool program in Iraq, at Abu Ghraib". But, joking about these pictures, definately makes too light of the situation. I read an article on VillageVoice.com by Richard Goldstein that made me look at these photos in a completely different manner.



This is the type of thing you don't even see on OZ. It's graphic, it's sadistic. The male and female soldier are smiling, grinning, over their subjugated prisoners. They are enjoying themselves.

Goldstein writes:

"That's the great perk of war. You can unleash the darkest reaches of your libido. Murdering, mutilating, and raping are all part of the adrenaline rush—and nothing feels better than that forbidden thrill in the name of God and country.

The most distressing thing in those photos from Abu Ghraib was also the least remarked upon. That soldier standing over his prostrate prisoners, holding his thumb up, was wearing surgical gloves. Was he afraid of being contaminated by his victims' blood, feces, semen—or just their humanity? We'll never know. But it's an astonishing symbol of what America is becoming: a nation where suffering is tolerable—even pleasurable—as long as the shit doesn't get on our hands."

It isn't anything to smile or joke about. Something needs to happen.