Why OYE Should Support Army Captain Fishback

In addition to all the lofty justifications for following the Geneva Conventions, not torturing Prisoners Of War (POWs), Persons Under Control (PUCs), or mere detainees, etc., is basic self-interest: As long as the U.S. follows the rules, we can demand that the other side(s) follow those same rules when the tables are turned, so that we can protect U.S. servicemembers. What goes around comes around.

Army Captain Ian Fishback spent seventeen months raising these issues through the chain of command and got nowhere. Thanks to Arizona Senator John McCain (R) and Human Rights Watch, now the world knows.

So what does this have to do with Operation Yellow Elephant?

Well, if you demand that the U.S. treat foreign detainees humanely, then you are also Supporting Our Troops by demanding that they be treated humanely, and thus protected, in similar situations.

No American can ignore this issue.

On the other hand, if you accept, acquiesce in, or even support inhumane treatment of foreign detainees, but are unwilling to consider serving in our military (even though eligible) and placing yourself, personally, in danger of reciprocal treatment, then you are worse than Yellow. Think about it.

Send e-mails of support to Captain Fishback via supportfishback (at) aol (dot) com

Thanks to Andrew Sullivan for taking this on.
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