Surely, we need to hold our treatment of detainees to a higher standard than “anything the Iraqis would have rendered such prisoners.” Otherwise, what the hell are we doing over there? How could we hope to help implement a strong and principled democracy in Afghanistan that abides by the rule of law? We need to set an example in Afghanistan on how to do things right. The sad thing is that our armed forces do this 99% of the time and I would argue that the treatment of detainees issue is part of the other 1%. Our Military and political leadership is more than capable to solve this problem and work with the Afghans on an appropriate approach to treating prisoners.

However, what passes as inhumane treatment to a Canadian cynic is not necessarily that inhumane to the context of the war in Afghanistan. The Afghanis have to learn to govern themselves, and it takes time to develop good institutional infrastructure to support criminal prosecution.

As long as they are getting fed something half decent relative to the rest of the population, not getting their limbs hacked off during interrogation, they’re doing ok.

Case in point, while I thought the Abu Grahab scandal was bad, it wasn’t that bad; still better treatment than anything the Iraqis would have rendered such prisoners.

But I realize idealists have a hard time coming to grips with reality of war, the sometimes necessary use of torture.

Do not provide aid or comfort to the enemy.

Sociopathic terrorists or not, these are humans deserving of humane treatment. To deny them such would be to lower ourselves to their level. Canada has an obligation to look after the well-being of anyone captured by Canadian troops, to ensure their human rights are respected.

Not a bad idea. Ahmed probably needs to loosen up a little.