...even when they are on our side.

I'm very pro-military, but not at all pro-this:

American military police officers manning what was once Saddam Hussein's most notorious prison are under investigation for torturing Iraqi detainees with threats of electrocution, forcing them to simulate oral sex, beating them, and ordering them to beat each other, according to Army officials.

This is the kind of treatment we are trying to put an end to, not propagate. Each of those involved should be court-martialed and receive a penalty in accordance with their crimes. And please don't try to give lame excuses like this one:

Staff Sgt. Chip Fredrick told CBS that poor training for the reserve unit was the root of the abuse with which he is now charged. Frederick, whose family and attorney could not be reached for comment yesterday, said superiors and civilian observers, including the FBI and CIA, turned a blind eye and even encouraged the behavior.

A lack of training and rules does not justify this kind of indecent behavior. My kids know enough right and wrong to be able to make this call.

Other notable responses to this story:
Baldilocks, Smash, Steven Taylor, Lee (at Right Thinking), Lee (part 2), Joshua Claybourn, Slapnose, Brain Fertilizer, Balloon Juice (Warning: Contains Photos) and Kim Du-Toit.