Purple Mountain Majesties

Geneva Convention - Where, How Much and Who's Keynote?

Adopted August 12, 1949 and put into force nearly 14 months later, the Geneva Convention is just about as foreign to most people in most civilized countries as some of their respective customs. In fact, it almost sounds like you should be going to see the newest and greatest in vacuums! While you're there, you'll experience dramatic attempts to see the latest hepa-filter, lightest upright, and most silent sucker. As for the keynote speaker, well, likely you skip that part for the Dolby-digital-THX mastered presentation in full surround - history of the vacuum!

Ask most people the question of last week's poll and they will have no idea what you are talking about. If they do have an idea, it is pretty guaranteed that they will have no specifics to relate to - only general thoughts that have been espoused in the media. Fact is: did you know that the first Geneva Convention was in 1864? That's right, it was the first treaty of international humanitarian law. In 1899 in the Hague it was signed the next convention, applying the Geneva convention to war action at sea. And in 1907 The Hague Convention determined combatants' categories. In 1929 these conventions were developed further and expanded one more time. In 1949 during the international conference it was adopted Geneva convention "Civil persons' protection during the war-time" as well transcribed three previous adapted conventions and submitted their texts. (http://www.redcross.lv/en/conventions.htm). So there is your brief history lesson - fact is, there is so much more to it, and it seems to grow to - a living document.

In Geneva 49, a full convention of countries came together to decide the treatment of Prisoners of War. After penning, ratification and enactment, they sent the original to the Swiss Confederation to be held in archive. Since then and up until 9-11 these laws have been the virtuous path of protection to those fighting in battle for their respective beliefs. In addition, treatment of civilians in occupied territories by the opposing Force. These laws applied, regardless of who the Forces were, as long as they were "The High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances." (Article 1).

This meant that America - for example - would treat it prisoners well; knowing that, in turn, their POWs were being treated in like fashion as set by the Geneva Convention. As I recall, history has been full of war. Many times those fighting in the battles were left to "the birds." As told in the Red Cross link, Henry Dunant first sought to find a way to care for the injured - even if it meant caring for your enemy. As a Humanitarian, he set out to change the actions of war.

In the last two centuries (working on our third), America has been noble and upright in the fair treatment of any prisoner. I believe that we will continue to uphold these virtues set forth by common sense treatment of human life - even your enemies' lives. This is who we are. Civilized persons in civilized nations will act this way too. So, for that, the Geneva Convention continues to press on.

It then begs the question: What about nations, factions, sects, and individuals who do not subscribe to these beliefs? That is the real question behind the poll. We can answer this question by the convention:

Article 2 In addition to the provisions which shall be implemented in peace time, the present Convention shall apply to all cases of declared war or of any other armed conflict which may arise between two or more of the High Contracting Parties, even if the state of war is not recognized by one of them. . .Although one of the Powers in conflict may not be a party to the present Convention, the Powers who are parties thereto shall remain bound by it in their mutual relations. They shall furthermore be bound by the Convention in relation to the said Power, if the latter accepts and applies the provisions thereof. (Italics/bold mine.)

The bolded sentence is the kicker! I will be honest, I voted in the poll too - and I voted "no." I voted with the majority before the majority voted. That is to say that 67% of the 18 that voted stated that some or none of the Geneva Convention should apply to the War on Terrorism. Why is it that we think this way?

One answer: "Eye for an eye." Or, more clearly: "Those acting in the fashion of terrorism have no regard for live and therefore their lives should not be sustained, treated with respect nor overly cared for due to their horrid view of life."

So, after 9-11, here we are - in a pickle. The Terrorists do not care for their lives - and certainly do not care for others - even of their own kind, culture and religion. Fact is, their religion says that they can kill themselves or others and be rewarded for it. (And people say Christianity is bad... that is another subject.) When life is not regarded as sacred and worthy of protection, there are no humanitarian grounds by which to act.

But, we are bound by the convention. Therefore, we act as required by the convention:

Article 3 ”In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions: 1. Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria. To this end the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons: (a) Violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture; (b) Taking of hostages; (c) Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment; (d) The passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.” (Bold is mine).

In conclusion, I believe that we should be fair, respect life and provide for common well-being. Thus, we should have, after reading through them, some form of the Geneva Conventions that have stood for nearly 150 years. But Terrorism is a war unlike any that have proceeded in history. Those acting as Terrorists do not care for “our” people - meaning anyone not in their little group. They have beheaded individuals from several nationalities, they have taken hostages, they have humiliated, scared, and otherwise treated cruelly any and all of those who stand in their way.

Yet, we sit back and take a scolding for Abu grab. Though, maybe, I do not condone the actions and treatment that resulted in photos to prove what our soldiers did; I do not believe it is of the level to warrant such unbalanced coverage in our world. America and its Allies should not have to make reparations to the countries of the Terrorists, nor apologize, nor severely discipline (as we have) our military that partook in these actions. It sets us up to be ridiculed and scorned even more. Further, it propagates the cause of Terrorism.

Granted, the journalists of the world no doubt love this! It creates a story and guarantees “flashy, bloody” news for years to come.
This is not how it should be! We should call to order a special meeting - yea, a Convention - and make an amendment to the Geneva Convention Guidelines to include Terrorism. New rules should be created and enacted that protect those in which terror is inflicted and puts a warrant out for the death of those who partake in this ideology. Terrorism is a different war. It is not a war of respectable and virtuous countries that differ and want to fight "morally." Thus, outlining the way we will respond to this "new kind of war” is necessary. Should humanitarianism be a part of the guide? - yes. How and how much - I leave that to be determined by others more knowledgeable than myself.

posted by Captain America @ 07:46 0 Comments

Signature of Death

“One if by land, two if by sea” hinted at the beginnings of something great. Something about this land, about coming to this land that was great – worthy to die to protect. In fact, so desirable that England fought (across ‘the pond’) with all its might against it – figuring it just “as worth it” to die to keep it from happening!

What is this that is so worth the convictions of these 56 men? Surely they did not think that the ownership of ‘land’ was worth signing up to be drawn and quartered. I dare think that they would die for the thrill of the journey or the wonder of a new land to conquer. No, it could not be so trivial, so fleeting.

I ask the question again: “What would drive 56 wealthy men to put it all on the line and sign up for Britain’s Most Wanted – with their own handwriting and signature?” Remember, the Declaration was treacherous and signing it meant you stood at odds with your “homeland”….with the power and army of the King of England and his alliances.

Friends the answer is simple: Freedom. The pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock (http://www.pilgrimhall.org/Rock.htm) and began the march. It was not easy. But they sought and desired freedom so badly that they pressed through the winters and rejoiced in the spring and summer. They learned from the native people and coexisted with them. Truly, they survived the first winters because of the help from the Indian people.

What freedom is so defining that people will go at such lengths as the Pilgrims to make it happen? It was freedom from religious exclusivity and tyranny. (There are many writings to consider here, but you can quickly go to William Bradford’s http://members.aol.com/calebj/bradford_journal.html). The Catholic hierarchy had such a control in Europe that the Protestant sect stole away to the New World and set up camp in 1620. They new that the distance from the homeland would protect them and get them started. Through this initiative and determination the Pilgrims continued where others failed and gave up – but with higher motives. Jamestown did not make it through the winters and virtually died away (http://www.apva.org/history/).

From this frail group that landed in the Mayflower, a nation was born. It did not happen over night, but it happened. Again, what was the foundation? Consider the first eloquent words of The Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” England stood against this for fear of loosing subjects. They tried in vain to oppress the religiosity of the Pilgrims and squelch their desire to thrive by imposing tariffs and forcing their hand in many ways. Ships were destroyed, cargo lost, towns destroyed and ultimately a Revolutionary War.

Why did the Pilgrims press on?

“That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness . . . But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. " (Declaration of Independence).

Did they do this just because they were thousands of watery miles away? No. In fact, they proceeded with fear and trembling. In the words they wrote: “Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.”

The pursuit of freedom and the practices it encourages drives convinced and highly convicted persons to act forthrightly and with passion. The desire to worship freely in a manner they felt right, was priority one. Fact is, today, it is being whittled away because of erroneous interpretations and liberal litigation. Today we yell “separation” thinking, falsely, that we are acting as the Designers of this nation would have acted and thought. But this, my friends, is a whole different subject. One we will gladly pursue at a later date.

So I end you with the short answer to the question of this country’s foundation: America is founded on the premise that all are “created” (not evolved) to be free and therefore worship freely (and I would argue Biblically), live freely, and prosper as they put forth their own effort. In the early 1600’s this is not how one could live in Europe.

The 56 great men signed the Declaration of Independence knowing “a legacy” was worth dieing to create! God has blessed America for these 229 years because of their actions!

posted by Captain America @ 22:52 0 Comments

ONE IF BY LAND, TWO IF BY SEA!

“One if by land, Two if by sea.”

This was the early warning system of the colonies should the British attack. The man that made it work was Paul Revere. One Man, One Voice.

Paul Revere sounded the alarm by riding from town to town on his “trusty steed,” shouting “The Regulars are coming, The Regulars are coming!” People woke from their slumber and stood ground against the British. Samuel Adams and John Hancock, two primary and prominent Patriots were able to escape the clutches of the British. In addition, the arms and ammunitions saved in the towns were moved to safer locations, kept from the British. It was a huge turning point and through the centuries has been a reminder of what ONE can do. (short story site on Paul Revere – http://www.earlyamerica.com/paul_revere.htm)

The hope of this blog is to be a voice – one voice, yelling in cyberspace, waking Americans from the clutches of apathy. Is it not worth it? Is America not worth waking from our slumber? This one voice will wake another and another as it egallups through the blogosphere of citizens.

Discussion is welcome. Argument is welcome. Thought provoking comments are welcome. Vicious, ignorant, unfounded and unsupported rants are not. Sure, leave them…we will just ignor them.

So let us begin this blog by stating America is Great and soo worth fighting for! In the words of Abraham Lincoln, given during his greatest known speech “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” ( November 19, 1863, Gettysburg). Great Presidents realize this!

We strive for liberty all over the world. The highlight today is Irag. Not too long ago it was Russia. Over 20 years ago it was Germany. Before that Japan, France and countless others. People want to be free – free to live, and live freely. Though they may not have what America has, they seek it. Do not be fooled by the mainstream media that spews lies about this war being about oil, or that it is not worth it, or that we should not be there. Where were these same spouts when we went into Bosnia? Further, why is it that the NOW (National Organization for Woman) “club” is silent on the liberation of the oppressed in Irag?

Ssince Plymouth Rock (and even before) our ancestors desired liberty and freedom of expression. Today, people still come to America seeking this great gift. Two centuries ago, they were oppressed by the monarchy and even theocracy of their home land. Through struggles and persistence they came to the moment of truth – the Declaration of Independence. Would they sign it? Would they put their lives on the line and commit treason – punishable by death in gruesome ways?

ONE BY ONE, 56 of our patriotic and liberty loving founding fathers signed this document that forged this nation. One….effects one…and another until there is a strong bond and unity.

May this ONE blog echo the voices of our great heritage!

posted by Captain America @ 21:23 2 Comments

There is more of this country to this man! 

posted by Captain America @ 21:42 0 Comments

Hello!

SITE UNDER CONSTRUCTION -
Thanks for coming by! Return Friday for first official post!

posted by Captain America @ 21:28 0 Comments