The actions of a few do not reflect the philosophy of a nation.
Are you sure its "the few"? Seems that these guys were told by military intelligence to soften them up for interrogation.
This story reads like the US have overthrown one tortuous regime and replaced it with another.
So you honestly believe that?
Dunno, bsams. Its one of those things where you think to yourself that some of the folks involved are trying to do the right thing, and look after both the interests of people in America and Iraq. And then there's others who are out to cock it all up for everyone.
I can't really imagine (and would much prefer not to believe) that the armed forces of a country with the governmental transparency of the US would introduce a policy of systemic torture and humiliation of prisoners. While I'm not convinced that the US government is totally benign, I don't think it would use torture as a clandestine policy (unlike Israel, whcih explicitly retains the right to torture as part fo the goal of the preservation of its state). Bear in mind I see a huge distinction between the US government and the US people, who are decent and honourable folks, and who seem for the most part to be horrified by all of this.
I'm more inclined to think that its further down the totem pole, that some shady senior intelligence guy has given the directive to do this to soften prisoners up.
I live in a democracy, though, like you, and know that a government directive approving torture is unlikely. For those living in the Middle East, however, its much more easy to believe.
