The Banality of un-American War Crimes in Iraq

Veterans are speaking of "a breakdown in discipline during their Iraq deployment in which troops murdered civilians" — Soldiers in Colorado slayings tell of Iraq horrors. It is telling to note that the focus of the article is not so much on what happened in Iraq, but on soldiers' "trouble adjusting to life back in the United States."

It will be interesting to see whether those "'conservatives' who melt at the sight of a man in uniform" (to borrow Bill Kauffman's phrase) will soft-pedal or ignore this particular modern American "breakdown in discipline," because it occurred in their favorite, most sacrosanct American institution. Or perhaps America's much-maligned "breakdown in discipline" only manifests itself in music, clothing, and "lifestyle" choices, not in murdering A-rabs.

"Taxi drivers got shot for no reason, and others were dropped off bridges after interrogations," reported one soldier in the article. "You came too close, we lit you up," said another. "You didn't stop, we ran your car over with the Bradley."

The corrupting, soul-destroying effect of this "war of choice" is why its architects, who are still at large, should be prosecuted. It is also why Americans should give a listen to Major General Smedley Butler, at the time of his death the most decorated marine in American history, who in 1933 warned us that the "only two things we should fight for" are "the defense of our homes" and "the Bill of Rights" — War is a Racket.