Rick Perry and a few conservative talk show hacks can make all of the excuses and rationales they want, but the reality of U.S. Marines urinating on dead Taliban insurgents is beyond disgusting and disturbing.
Granted, the Taliban–and others of their jihadist ilk–don’t play by the Geneva Convention rules. Granted also that what happened to Daniel Pearl or what happens to those targeted by suicide bombers doesn’t compare to what happened to those Taliban corpses.
Having said that, this much should be manifestly obvious. What the Marines did was condemnable. They defiled their own honor by such deplorable acts. Worse yet, they heightened the risk–and likelihood–that more Americans will die as a result of this stupid, crude act, one that will likely become a propaganda coup and rallying image for those who already hate us.
It’s also a reminder of what can happen during a de facto occupation. Abu Ghraibs happen. Corpse desecration happens. And more Americans will pay a price. Rationalize that.