[at-l] Us and Them

[mfuller@somtel.com (Malcolm Fuller)]

> One of the basic maxims of war/combat is that it's easier
> to kill someone if you've de-humanized them.  That's why
> the 'enemy' is always viewed as baby-killing, flesh-eating, 
> grandmother-raping monsters, while your side is  always
> viewed as the righteous, upstanding, moral Defender of 
> Democracy and Champion of the Faith.  Or words to that 
> effect.  Some will think that's funny - but it's not. It's
> been standard indoctrination for combat troops in every 
> army that's been fielded for at least the last 10 thousand
> years. On both sides.

It's been the standard indoctrination of civilian populations
for just as long.

http://www.antiwar.com/

-MF