American troops did commit mass murder in the Philippines, not during WW2, but during the Filipino-American war.
It was in retaliation to the near-annihilation of American troops garrisoned in Balangiga (pronounced ba-lang-hi-ga, with the accent on the bolded syllable, pronounced as "hee" and lang pronounced as in "lan(g)-olin") by the townsfolk who were all part and supporters of the then ongoing revolution against the Americans.
In this case, the Americans were roundly defeated by an enemy that most of them held in contempt as being brown, flat-nosed, short, and whom they derisively called "flips".
Their commanding general, Jake "howling wilderness" Smith, equated one little town with an entire island province when he gave his junior officer the order to burn and raze and kill anyone (male or female) above the age of 10.
Now, I'm not on the side of the letter writer, who I think is wrong to compare American soldiers to serial killers. but unfortunately, what he said was true.
Here are a couple of links you can check out, if you want:
balangiga massacre 1
balangiga massacre 2
FWIW
Christianity and War
Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by ehaase, Jun 13, 2008.
Page 3 of 5
-
pinoybaptist Active MemberSite Supporter
-
pinoybaptist Active MemberSite Supporter
Or, are they ? -
Yes, free speech is unbridled except for the legal terms of slander and libel. However, the wisdom of what one says or writes does have personal ramifications. Therefore, in exercising free speech one must also be willing to live with the consequences. In this instance the author must be willing to have some Christians drag his name through the mud in this thread as he dragged the name of our troops through the mud in his article.
The idea of not being able to yell "fire" in a crowded theatre is not a matter of free speech being restricted but of contractual obligation being followed and disturbing of the peace. -
As a matter of fact, US Senate investigated the events in Philippines (1902) and US General Jacob Smith was court-martialed and convicted. I'm pretty sure the Japanese commander was not similarly charged with anything by his own country. -
What kind of a country do we want to be? One that lives by the rule of just laws and promotes freedom and democracy? That's what I want America to be. Not simply somewhat better than countries that commit whatever atrocities are convenient for them to get what they want.
-
-
Maybe you should move to Shangri La. -
Our government's foreign policies have led directly or indirectly to close to a million deaths in Iraq--between the many years' worth of sanctions before the war and the results of the war itself. Over a million more have been displaced. We did not need to invade Iraq.
May you should consider the fact that our government's actions are not above criticism. -
-
pinoybaptist Active MemberSite Supporter
And the court-martial of General Smith did not bring back the lives of the innocents among those he massacred, neither were reparations, financial or otherwise, made to the victims' kin, as far as I know.
And, please, I love this country as much as you do, so don't act like I'm an enemy, I am not. -
While the author was over the top on some points, he has the right to express them, just as others have the right to be outraged at them.
However, I do have an uneasy feeling myself when I go in some churches the Sunday before July 4th and patriotic songs with no mention of God or Christ are sung and US Flags are being saluted and colors posted. Just uncomfortable with that taking place during a regular worship service and I have seen more and more of it the last few years. -
We should be actually following the Constitution and the principles this nation was founded on and then leading by example. We should not be lecturing other countries (while seeking to undermine their governments when they aren't in the best interest of our elite), nor should we be trying to export "democracy" at gun point (as we are increasingly losing our freedoms here). -
-
In XC
- -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
This is a flat out lie. You know better than this. They are suffering because of Hamas with the ad of the governments of Syria and Iran. -
-
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Have you ever talked to a Christian from Lebanon and gotten their views?
Have you ever talked with an Arab Christian living in Israel and heard their views?
Or are you only speaking from your own emotions and have nothing else to back up your opinion?
The unfair policies of the US in our foreign policy have caused much hardship to many Christians in many places. -
Revmitchell Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Not a whole lot of emotion. Just stating facts. And Hamas' tactics are quite effective. -
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
An Arab Christian told us at chapel in Prague one morning why hamas is popular with so many of the people. If you were oppressed as the people there are you would welcome such an organization. How do I know? You have a Hamas type attitude when it comes to the US policies.
If you want I will tell you in another post the things he said about Hamas that make them popular in Palestine. Do you want to hear what those facts are?
I am not defending Hamas, but I did gain a deeper understanding through this Christian's talk.
Page 3 of 5