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Lets try to separate the real issue of treatment of enemy prisoners from the sensationalism of a corrupt media. This process might be a bit painful, but it is very necessary. Being a 10 year veteran of the Marine corps, Iraqi war vet and having actual hands on experience in the handling of iraqi POW's I hope my statements carry some weight. What rights do they have? are they entitled to due process? The answers are simple. According to INTERNATIONAL law, as per the Geneva conventions, an enmy POW is not entitled due process because they are NOT criminal offenders. They are enemy combatents, and can legaly be held for the duration of the conflict. The point of taking enemy prisoners is twofold. First and foremost, taking enemy soldiers out of active service, thus decreasing the enemies mission-capability. The second reason is leverage and bargaining power. They can be used in exchange for Allied captives. Their rights are simple, outlined (again) by international law. They have the right to adequate shelter, food, and medical treatment. They have the right to send and receive mail, as long as it does not contain any harmful information. They have the right to be paid for their labor. Payment being a rough equivilant to an American civilian's prison wages, wich isn't very much. The bottom line is, enemy POW's are not legaly cosidered criminals, and don't need to be tried. They don't need lawyers or appeals. They are to be held as long as our government sees fit. This isn't a new policy. It has been used in EVERY war in the modern age. The media has forgotten this fact, and goes out of their way to portray our treatment of murdering terrorists as unjust. Enemy POW's are not American citizens, and not civilians, therefore they don't have the same rights as a regular Joe.(Our constitution does not apply to everybody, just the citizens of this nation.Nor does any other nations rights and laws. We are not alone on this point, it is a global standard.)As soldiers, they fall under the Uniform code of military justie (UCMJ). All American soldiers are subject to the UCMJ, a code which signifcantly diminishes ones rights. This might be viewed as cruel and unfortunate by a non-military mind, but those of us in the know, are well aware of such necessities. The buisness of war is frightening and messy. Only a few men and women have what it takes to sacrifice so much for their country. The realities can be scary when taken out of context and trumpeted as torture and barbarism.

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