Wednesday, April 04, 2007

Chickenhawk Alighting

The Corner on National Review Online: "Brit Wimps [John Derbyshire]

Once again, it's me and Ralph Peters on the same wavelength, deploring the cowardice of the British sailors and marines kidnapped by Iran. When it happened, I said I hoped the ones who'd shamed their country would be court-martialed on return to Blighty, and given dishonorable discharges after a couple years breaking rocks in the Outer Hebrides (which, believe me—I've been there—have a LOT of rocks). Now, I confess, I wouldn't shed a tear if some worse fate befell them.

The only coherent response I get to these sentiments is: 'How do you know what they've been through? How would YOU stand up?' To which the obvious reply is the one Dr. Johnson gave in some similar case: 'I may criticize a carpenter who makes me a bad table, though I cannot make a table myself. It is not my job to make tables.' It is the job of a Royal Marine to fight, and if necessary suffer and die, for his country. They know that when they go in. It's what they are told! I nurse a quiet hope that if put to the test, I would stand up as well as any Marine. Whether or not I would, however, is irrelevant. Whether or not I could stand up well to torture, I expect Marines to..."

No one signs-up to get tortured. Everyone wants to live; given your (Derbyshire's) response, it's obvious you want to live. So, are you, Sir, willing to die, lose a limb, be blinded, get waterboarded, get starved, beaten, raped-- all to save your government some embarrassment? Didn't think so.

Maybe you should try sticking one of the Doctor's table legs somewhere.

No comments: