The more things change...

The more they stay the same. Throughout this war we've heard administration officials saying that the U.S. is not violating the Geneva conventions. And we've seen over and over again that its just not true. Time and again the U.S. has been caught mistreating prisoners of war. U.S. troops have been caught performing atrocities AGAINST THE PEOPLE WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LIBERATING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't get me wrong. I think it's great that we are putting our commitment to upholding the Geneva conventions in writing. But it was already in writing, and we were not abiding by those laws. In order to protect officials who had broken that law a clause was added guaranteeing they would not be prosecuted. It's another example of the administration saying, "We are on a mission from God and anything we do is justified." That attitude is a large part of the problem, both with our troops and with our sagging relationship with many (most?) of our allies.

What is the answer? If he would listen to some of the people outside his circle of "yes men" he might begin to look beyond what he wants to the consequences of what he does. Unfortunately, President Bush seems immune to criticism. That's a hazard in people who consider themselves to be on missions from God, but George W. is in a position to do serious harm, more harm than almost anyone else in the world. And at the moment, it looks like he is pushing the Muslim world into war with the western world in general, but most especially with the U.S.

President Bush, please start considering the long term consequences of your actions, and find some advisors who are willing to disagree with the group.