Marine General shows contempt for Afghani people

While this story does not directly have to do with detention, it speaks volumes about the failure of the US military to understand the occupied peoples and their history, and a blatant lack of respect for their basic rights. A high-profile Lieutenant General of the Marines, James T Mattis, made some extremely insulting remarks at a speech on February 2, at a forum in San Diego about strategies for the "war on terror." Mattis is apparently a widely-revered tough-guy in the Marines, and has commanded forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Pentagon has "counseled him" on his remarks, not yet issuing a statement condemning them.

According to an audio recording of General Mattis's remarks obtained by The Associated Press, he said: "Actually, it's a lot of fun to fight. You know, it's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right upfront with you, I like brawling."

He added, "You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil."

General Mattis continued: "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."