50 Responses to:
A LESSON ON HOW TO TREAT WAR PRISONERS

# 1. 3/7/02 12:35 AM by Jonathan - Auburn
You read my mind. The gave our prisoner of the war the bullet, and I bet they regretted having to waste the round. Why doesnt the NY Times, Wash Post, or any of the major networks puts this in perspective as you have so elegantly done in this article?

I hope that answer isn't what I think it is.

# 2. 3/7/02 1:39 AM by Greg - SLC, UT
absolutely right Bob!!! P.C. crap is what is going to be the undoing of our country! in your poll I have been wondering why the worst of the worst, which was brought over here, are even still alive!? thanks for your articles!

# 3. 3/7/02 1:59 AM by bill - Rochester, NY
You are so right Bob! How do we reproduce this article throughout the land? Impossible! Them Ijjits don't want to hear it! I am so sick of those that hate our country, both from without and from within. I used to wonder why God used to tell the ISraelites when they went into a land to kill all the people, livestock etc. He knows that some hatred is not reasoned, and can't be reasoned away, only extinguished where it grows; in the hearts of those who choose to hate. Its tough here on the overnight, when I read your article first in the country in that dark time before the world awakes. But in the dark no one can hear you scream.

# 4. 3/7/02 6:02 AM by albert vallone - livonia ny
Whoever conceived of the Cuban prison camps for Taliban and El Quieda combatants was a genius.

As long as the US continues to respect the Geneva Conventions on POWs which I think is the case the world has no basis to object.

As far as being vengeful because the other side is not respecting POW treatment, this is something which the US has resisted during all previous wars, and in the long run just proves we can hold the moral high ground.

The only inspectors legally qualified to monitor POW camps are the ones from the international Red Cross.

If we allow them in it will obligate our opponents to reciprocate.

The only problem seems to be that the other side are not Geneva Convention signatories.

# 5. 3/7/02 6:18 AM by Randy Sullivan - Hemlock
Bob - Please get this article published in the WSJ or Washington Post or LA Times or all of the major papers in America and around the world. This is so heart wrenching and true that it needs to get out there.

Thank you.

# 6. 3/7/02 6:40 AM by A Mom - Rochester, New York
Bob, you are so right. I can't add anything more to your article except to say God bless this young soldier's soul.

# 7. 3/7/02 6:40 AM by Tom Dey - Springwater, NY
The activists are whining because we are winning. We're dominant, committed, powerful and just. And they are just - jealous, because their own hollow cowardice is revealed in stark contrast. The kind who hear a bump in the night and bravely dial 911 from under the bed. I doubt the Nazis served meat and potatoes to the Yanks or tea and crumpets to the Brits. Our prisoners literally never had it so good. The activists' silence is deafening in their lack of criticism of the barbarians.

# 8. 3/7/02 7:48 AM by r.groom - lyons,NY
Exactly what I was thinking when I heard this story yesterday. Perhaps it's time to give the scum in club-med-guatanamo a taste of what they dish out. Perhaps its time to start withdrawing all these privileges. For every attrocities they commit we remove their chaplain, their Koran.

# 9. 3/7/02 7:53 AM by Kevin - Rochester
A tragedy that calls for TOTAL WAR.In the old days we use to call it PAY BACK!!I served along side the Fathers of the 101st troops that are in those mountains.Do what your Fathers would have done 30 years ago.Decimate that enemy completely.Take NO PRISONERS!!!

# 10. 3/7/02 7:54 AM
We are doing the Christian thing in Gitmo. We know these people are our enemies, so we restrain them so they'll cause us no further harm. We were told to love even our enemies, and I think we are trying out best to do that when we treat the men in Gitmo the way we do. Our pain and anger is justified, but our acting on it by summarily executing these ment is not. These Muslim fundamentalists are godless men, despite their outward piety. They serve a different master than us. In our dealing with them, we can't be dragged into serving their master as well.

# 11. 3/7/02 8:26 AM by rjs - Rochester, NY
Right on target. Screw those bleeding hearts, fussy pants, liberals from Arerica and every other country that wants the touchy feeley with the poor souls that we captured. Feed them gruel with a wooden spoon made with pig fat. Let they die of their own diseases, and those that are left, hang them. Remember 9-11.

# 12. 3/7/02 8:33 AM by Jim Deacon - Ontario, NY
Let's see... the Taliban/al Quada hacked off a non-combatant's head with a pocket knife, routinely torture "prisoners" to death, or execute our soldiers on the spot.....duh. IMHO this is the very epitome of a no-brainer. If the world's going to piss and moan about our treatment of the detainees at Gitmo give them something about which to p&m.

# 13. 3/7/02 8:35 AM by Jim - Fairport
I think its time to stop taking prisoners. All they do is cause problems. They want to die anyway so I say give them the benefit of the "Make a wish I want all of those virgins" society. It is the humane thing to do and the cost is inexpensive. By the way I think you won't see many prisoners for a while.

# 14. 3/7/02 8:40 AM by Kathy - Avon, NY
Once again exactly what I was thinking but cannot put into words as wonderfully as you can....

# 15. 3/7/02 8:47 AM by Terri - Nephi, UT
Bob, you are right on target!

Though a proper standard of care is important for the prisoners in Cuba, we have been far too nice and agreeable. A hunger strike, that is fine, your choice, don't eat. Pretty soon you will either get so hungry your belly will rule your will or you will choose to starve to death. Your choice.

# 16. 3/7/02 8:55 AM by Beth - Canandaigua, NY
Wow Bob...you are right on, as usual. Interesting these prisoners, our enemies, in Cuba are getting medical services (ie, cosmetic surgery) that some of us in this country can't have unless we have an extra few thousand dollars lying around. And there are still people complaining about their treatment. Hmmmmm... There will forever be those who don't appreciate what this country has to offer and what it is about. Maybe we should send those people over to the Middle East to see what inhumane conditions really are.

# 17. 3/7/02 9:10 AM by Unknown - Rochester, NY
Bob,

You got it right.

# 18. 3/7/02 9:26 AM by Lee Shumway - Syracuse, Utah
This particular column inspired me.

Late last night (MST) I dashed off a quick note to Amnesty International asking if perhaps, in view of their position on war crimes, I had missed their condemnation of the Taliban/Al Queefa murder of our SEAL.

I'll give them a little time to eat their granola, but so far, no reply...

# 19. 3/7/02 9:39 AM by David - Farmington, UT
Bob, you are dead on, these guys don't deserve humane treatment. Our rules of engagement should be "take no prisoners." That is all these animals they understand - I am sure they view our treatment of prisoners a weakness. I hope Bush takes the gloves off and tells the world, and the bleeding hearts at home, to go to Hell!

# 20. 3/7/02 10:05 AM by Chris W - Greece, NY
I try to be a reasonable guy. Try not to go over the top and spout a lot of invective regarding any people, as being out of control helps no one. But this whole effort since 9/11 sure has me rethinking. Rethinking our basic security as a nation and as a society.

We not only have the various factions, professing to be Muslim, who openly hate us and openly try to kill us in some cowardly fashion at every opportunity. But also, we have another huge group of people professing to be reasonable people, who by their pronouncements offer us a more insidious lack of security by giving tacit approval to those who would act against us. Many of this second group pretend to be allies, partners, friends. But through their criticism and comments, they weaken us by giving credence to those who would defeat us.

We, as a nation and a society, must think long and hard about our place in the world. We must strengthen our resolve regarding our security, and our purpose. Most of all, rather than shrink from ideas such as President Bush’s “Axis of Evil”, we must embrace this, and acknowledge that it is probably more extensive than we admit. We must put all on notice that our resolve is solid. We will not be cowed by those who seek superiority by tearing us down. We will not compromise our safety or our future for the fleeting satisfaction of favorable public opinion.

# 21. 3/7/02 10:28 AM by Rob C - Rochester
Wow!! Great column today. The tape of this and the Daniel Pearl murder should be shown to the whole world.

# 22. 3/7/02 10:36 AM by Teri - Rochester, NY
Trust you to put this in its proper perspective. Good job!

# 23. 3/7/02 10:38 AM by Lee - Scottsville, NY
We have got to toughen up.

I am sorry but people die in war. It is sad that we have to lose more or our citizenry, but this is what happens in war.

We worry too much about what others think of us. Accept it most hate us no matter what we do. When we are soft/weak they hate us and attack. When we are strong they hate us and don't attack. Fear is a great defender. Which is safest weak or strong.

What do we care what others think. Where were they on 9/11.

We need to follow the Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war. We are way better than our enemy. We are NOT animals. We do not believe in an eye for an eye. We are not the savages that others believe.

We have to accept the reality that most people/countries/governments resent us because we are the "big brother"

They hate us. But let some bully come into their back yard and NOT play nice they scream for our HELP. After the threat is eliminated they kick us in the shin and hate us again.

It is a no win situation.

But, it kept the bullies in OTHER back yards. When we were stronger the bullies wouldn't have dared pull !*&!@ in our back yard.

So, why do we bother to worry about what others think?

I am sick of the critics. I am sick of the judgements made against us. I am tired of being made to feel like we are the villains.

We need to be left alone to do what we do best. Fix the problem, and rebuild. We need to be AMERICANS.

Uncivilized AMERICAN'S.

We are the best in the world.

# 24. 3/7/02 11:03 AM by Susan - Ogden, Utah
Thanks for yet another great column.

The solution seems rather simple to me.

Take no prisoners.

Why should we?

Apparently the whiners think it's okay if we KILL the enemy, or the enemy KILLS our young men & women. But take a prisoner and put them in chains in order to protect ourselves, and oh my goodness, those poor men!

The whiners should form a club "The Whiners Club". They could be based in Afghanistan. If America is so bad, go somewhere else.

# 25. 3/7/02 11:09 AM by Michael - Provo
Why, oh, why the hell are the Gitmo's still alive?

Perhaps we ought to publicly execute one of them for every one of our servicemen killed in combat. Start with Johnny bin Laden.

# 26. 3/7/02 11:20 AM by LANNA - SALT LAKE CITY
I think your column is wonderful, regarding todays, your 100% correct, I say enough is enough!!!!!! PEACEFUL PEOPLE, my EYE.(you know what I mean?)

Thank you for what you do. I feel like you express how I feel.

# 27. 3/7/02 11:41 AM by Lane Johnson - Provo
Well said!

# 28. 3/7/02 12:01 PM by Bill - Salt Lake City
Kill all prisoners in Gitmo and then pull all troops out of Afganastan and the surrounding areas, fly over with 2 dozen bombers and NUKE them. And while we are at it, loose the reigns on Israel, since the Palistine group does not want peace why try for it, let Israel take everything between the Med Sea and the Sea of Gallalie and from the Siani to the Gholon and every thing in between and everything outside 100 miles from there. It is the world against them. The Islamic world wants us dead and want to die while killing us. Lets help them with thier wanting to die.

# 29. 3/7/02 12:02 PM by Dick Woolley - Anderson Island WA
I read your commentary with mixed feelings. They are so to the point, yet are frustrating that these things even have to be mentioned. There are two solutions. 1, Establish a policy of national isolation - Take care of the U.S.A. and let the rest of the world take care of themselves. Then see what complaints we get. 2. Make it a government and media policy to not accept critical comments from within unless a reasonable well thought out solution is offered. Sure I know that these are stupid but not any more so than the ridiculous criticisms we get that are nothing more that 'the pot calling the kettle black.'

# 30. 3/7/02 12:26 PM by Jason Surowy - Rochester, NY
Bob, Yep. Welcome to the year 2002. In this great time period, our country can bend over backwards to treat total scum who murdered thousands of our innocent citizens very well and take a ton of heat for it. My personal favorite is the liberal groups who criticize the government's every little move in this war and everywhere else. Then, it seems that the media feels it cannot be "true" unless it is being negative about our leaders. Somewhere along the way our country lost its edge. Now we should think of the rights of murdering scum and play nicey-nice with the same bastards who blow away our men and women. Great system we have now. The really amusing part is that these "unlawful combatants" are in better conditions than they were in their beloved homeland.

# 31. 3/7/02 12:29 PM by Rootie Kazoo - Fairport
If our left-wing, liberal media were worth the powder to blow them to hell they would run the SEAL story 24/7. They would talk about the way a prisoner of war is required to be treated under the Geneva Conventions. They would contrast the SEAL's treatment to those detained at Gitmo. They would tell Amnesty International and their ilk to bite the big one.

If they were worth the powder to blow them to hell..

# 32. 3/7/02 12:57 PM by Tim M. - Provo, UT
When was the last time one of these "activists" even seen first hand what really goes on outside the borders of this great nation?

# 33. 3/7/02 2:11 PM by patti - sodus, ny
While they are giving free medical and dental care to these monsters they should slip some type of tracking device into them without their knowledge. Or at least something that would alert airport scanners. Eventually these men will probably be released and deported, which is a scary thought but what else can be done? Life in prison doesn't seem likely and neither does the death penalty.

# 34. 3/7/02 2:58 PM by Karen - N. Georgetown, OH
AMEN, Brother!

# 35. 3/7/02 4:23 PM by Ron - Green River
I can only hope the human trash who killed Petty Officer Roberts will be found among the continuing count of dead fighters piling up.

I say we quit experementing on rats and start on Cuban detainees. Rats deserve to live, al Quaida scum doesn't. Neither does their gutter religeon.

# 36. 3/7/02 5:04 PM by Robert - Goshen CT
Another excellent column, Bob

I'm reminded of a bumper sticker I saw recently:

"If there hadn't been a Pearl Harbor, there wouldn't have been a Hiroshima!"

If there hadn't been a "Twin Towers", a Pentagon and a plane crash in Pennsylvania, these camel drivers could be home doing whatever camel drivers do and there wouldn't be a detention center at Gitmo. We didn't start it but by damned, we're going to finish it. The detainees are getting much better treatment than they deserve and living and eating better than they would if they were in their hometown cave.

As for the wimps, whiners and malcontents, they can go to hell in a hand basket. They really don't know how good they have it. Some people would kick even if they hung with a new rope.

# 37. 3/7/02 6:14 PM by Wild
Our humanity is the ONE attribute that makes us who we are - America - Home of the Brave, Land of the Free. We lower our standards, we become animals just like them. In "We Were Soldiers", after the first conflict ended with our victory, American soldiers placed the Vietnamese bodies in a neat pile, showing respect for humanity and for the dead. We can never lower our standards and become like them. God Bless America and Our Soldiers (and Mel Gibson in that military uniform).

# 38. 3/7/02 10:55 PM by Ross - Provo, Ut
The answer is simple. Get all the info the you can from the "detainees" at gitmo. Then take them back to Afghanistan, shoot them, and throw their bodies from the same helicopter into the desert. After that, take no prisoners whatever.

# 39. 3/7/02 11:53 PM by Bart - Schenectady, N.Y.
Good article, Bob, unfortunately the powers may not see it. Do'nt know why we took prisoners who will not tell us what we want or need to kno. I think we should shave their heads and beards and send 'em back so their own people can deal with them. They sure can't hide,especially, if we brand their foreheads. The Geneva convention applies to uniformed soldiers willing to fight with an identity which affords some modecom of distinction- enemy or other. We are civilized but this is war- Give em back and we won't catch anything. What a waste of taxpayer money.

# 40. 3/8/02 8:34 AM by A Patriot - Lockport, NY
Al Qaeda and Taliban....kill them all. God will sort them out.

# 41. 3/11/02 11:36 AM by Debbie Smith - Port St Lucie, Fla.
I hope your article gets published around the world.........Too bad I'm not in Command....there would be no such thing as "taking care of those prisoners". They would have been tried and executed already! THANKS!!

# 42. 3/15/02 11:05 AM by Dave Emmith - Manassas, VA
I agree with you 110% Bob!

# 43. 3/15/02 1:37 PM by Mark Halstead - San Diego, CA
Bob,

I am an active duty navy Chief Petty Officer. Please keep-up this type of work we need to inform the bleeding heart liberals of what reality is.

Thanks, Mark

# 44. 3/19/02 8:44 AM by Charlie Hopkins - Jacksonville Florida
Very well done. It is true how so many people can see the way we treat the enemy with compassion and mercy but yet we in return get chastised for this. The enemy has none of this for our fallen men and woman and for that is why we are Humane and they are Animals. Even with the vast difference in cultures, they know between Right and Wrong and the people who judge us should look around the world to see this. We should all be thankful to people like Neil Roberts who gave all for a cause he felt just, for if it wasn't for people like him we would not enjoy the freedoms we all have and most take for granted.

Charlie

# 45. 3/19/02 1:40 PM by H.H. Eubanks - Pasadena,Texas
I'm a WWII vet and drive a bus, 2x/week, to the VA Hospital in Houston carrying vets. I've met WWII POW's, Korean War POW's and Vietnam POW's and it makes me furious when I hear people condemning our country because of our inhume treatment of Afghan/Muslim prisoners. WWII POW's in the Philippines, Japan, Burma, Germany or wherever were treated very, very poorly. Over 50% of prisoners of the Japanese died in captivity. Korean War POW's, as well as Vietnam War POW's were also treated terribly. This diatribe, bellyaching or whatever you want to call it, by various groups is sickening. It is my personal belief that Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden should have been tried for treason for their acts during the Vietnam War and the effects those acts had on prisoners. Words cannot express my dismay and disgust at those who do not take a reasonable look at how we treat the prisoners at Gtmo Bay.

# 46. 3/20/02 12:01 AM by "Pops" - Seattle, WA
Excellently well said, Bob. Have forwarded the website of this article to many, many friends.

Yes, we've always treated our POW's better than the enemy has treated us. That's one of the things that distinguishes our country and makes it a place worth defending -- and makes it a place admired and envied by the world.

Given the incredible blessings we have in this country brought to fruition by the hard work of our parents, grandparents... I just can NOT understand the whiners in our midst who think we're somehow treating the Gitmos poorly. Do they have no understanding of the hard reality of this or previous wars?

How can they look at the dead bodies of our civilians who jumped from the WTC and went *splat* and not imagine that horror - and at the same time be so upset at the "inhumane treatment" we're subjecting the gitmos to? We should send the most vocal of them to Gitmo and let them try their hand at taking care of the prisoners.

# 47. 3/21/02 6:09 PM by COL Charles D. Luckey - Winston Salem., NC
Well done. You got it right.

# 48. 3/22/02 12:44 PM by Gary - Texas
Thanks for the article. I sent a copy of it to my US Senator and another US Senator from another State, with my own tart remark. It does indeed make me sick at how our "leaders" (HA_HA) grovel at the feet of world opinion and turn their noses up at their own citizenry.

Thanks again.

# 49. 3/24/02 6:19 PM by V. David Manuel - Manassas,Virginia
thank you

# 50. 4/1/02 7:47 AM by Nick - Sacramento, CA
Sadly, I can't think of a single major Northern California daily that would publish Mr. Lonsberry's fine editorial article. Moreover, the news reporting is skewed the same way, sometimes even worse.

There are apparently nothing but Demunist Commiecrats in the media out here.

Which is why I no longer suscribe to the local dailies and go online for real news and commentary.

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