The US military are recruiting more ex-cons, BBC news reported on Tuesday, after a report issued by a Congressional committee showed that 861 formerly convicted criminals had been granted waivers to enlist.
Part of the reason explained for the high numbers of ex-cons to be accepted by the Military has been the strain caused by the war in Iraq and the US army has convincingly reassured that the waivers were only granted after careful reviews.
Some of the crimes in question include assault, sex crimes, manslaughter and burglary. And although there is a saying that you are innocent until proven guilty as well as you should be cleared as soon as you have completed your sentence, this issue poses serious questions in regards to United States competence as a world super power.
The US government claim they are fighting for democracy in Iraq, although this statement becomes highly hypocritical in relation to the countries own history of human rights violations.
Last October, George Bush admitted being in favour of torture although denying that these ‘acceptable’ interrogation methods as head slapping, subjecting detainees to freezing cold water, and simulating drowning were to be characterised as torture.
This should though not come to the world as a surprise as even the everyday American’s civil rights are to be questioned. One of the most ironic aspects of Tuesday’s announcement is how in the US you can lose your right to vote if convicted of a crime. In the US 48 States prohibits inmates to vote while in 35 States that rule also cover people on parole.
Now these people, once not seen as a suitable part of democracy are fighting for democracy abroad. How many of the 861 former prisoners accepted to serve in the US army have in the past lost their right to vote the story doesn’t say, but it is though doubtful that all of the ex-cons live in the two States that does not consider the law of stripping criminals from their Democratic rights.
Posted by theacec 
