General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This is horrifying beyond belief. And, no, what ISIS is doing is not comparable [View all]EL34x4
(2,003 posts)That raping civilians is not frowned upon at all. In fact, it is encouraged.
American soldiers today are professionals and I believe the overwhelming majority of them would find the notion of raping civilians repugnant. And yes, I know it has happened, but the practice is not enshrined in our military culture, certainly not encouraged or even given tacit approval. American soldiers who engaged in this behavior would be viewed as psychopaths by their fellow soldiers.
Our enemies, however, have no such moral or legal constraints placed on their ability to fight total war. So how do you fight a culture that is willing to engage in such barbarities?
I think one issue is we've never been occupied. We have no idea what it is like to live under an enemy army who rapes and murders on a whim.