I haven’t said anything about the horrid things that have been happening in Iraq, mostly because I don’t know what to say, other than things like that should never happen.

But they did.

Teresa Nielsen Hayden at Making Light has an eloquent post, as well as a synopsis of the news, and links to the pictures at Memory Hole. The only link I’m giving is TNH’s, so you can read that, and follow the links from there.

I do, however, disagree with Teresa about the flag. Although those who did those acts did them in my name, in the name of my country, the flag and our country are more than that. I will continue to fly the flag with all the respect and dignity it deserves, for those whose actions are not represented by the actions of those ‘soldiers’ in Abu Ghraib.

ADDENDUM the First: Pericat has a nice bit on the stanford prison experiment and the relationship of prisons to society.

ADDENDUM the Second: While I’m thinking about it, here again are the rules for flying the US flag.

Is it okay to have a flag t-shirt with words written on it?
No, the flag should never be worn and no, the flag should never have marks or words written upon it. Section 8d (see below): “The flag should never be used as wearing apparel.” Section 8g: “The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.”

Is it okay to use flag napkins or flag paper plates?
No. Section 8i (see below) reads: “It should not be … printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.”

Is it okay for an advertisement to use the flag?
No. Section 8i (see below) reads, “The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.”

ADDENDUM the Third: Go read this article from the BBC on the abuse of captives and the Stanford experiment.