But even so, we as a species seek to analyze and catagorize such details as what is 'decent' during a time of declared and methodical eradication of others in our species.
Why do we do this and where does this determination to qualify this destruction in acceptable terms come from? Why are we not like the shark with its cold, insatiable ways of killing? Did our proto ancestors sit around the rock one night eons ago and determine that it was in the best interest of future societies that 'Og' not kill 'Torg' right now in order to promote an enlightened species? Do you think sharks worry about such things?
I'm certain that sharks do not know where Geneva is or even understand the reference. I am equally certain that islamo fascist do know where Geneva is, understand the reference, but just don't give a damn and will murder you, your children, and all your neighbors in the click of a C-4 igniter.
Human beings are such strange animals, yet some groups of them attempt to moderate the more base elements of their nature and some do not. Language attempts a distinction with words like 'civilized' and 'barbarian'. And despite the current supreme court ruling against the Bush administration in regards to the 'battle field combatants' incarcerated in gitmo, those prisoners have been, and will continue to be, treated in a far better and humane way than those coalition soldiers or Arab civilians unfortunate enough to be gunned down, burned, beheaded, blown up, kipnapped or tortured by sharks who cannot comprehend the following:
The laws of War.
Following is the text of Common Article 3, the section of the Geneva Conventions that the Bush administration said now applies to terrorism suspects held by the United States:
In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each Party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:
(1) Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed "hors de combat" by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.
To this end, the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:
(a) violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture;
(b) taking of hostages;
(c) outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment;
(d) the passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.
(2) The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for. An impartial humanitarian body, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, may offer its services to the Parties to the conflict.
The Parties to the conflict should further endeavour to bring into force, by means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of the present Convention.
The application of the preceding provisions shall not affect the legal status of the Parties to the conflict.
History of the Conventions
The first Geneva Convention was signed by a dozen governments in 1864 to protect the sick and wounded during wartime and has been revised many times since then. The Red Cross has played a major role in drafting and enforcement. The current conventions were signed in 1949, with additional protocols added in 1977. More than 150 countries have signed the treaties.