The Conservative Cave
Current Events => General Discussion => Topic started by: GOP Congress on December 07, 2013, 03:41:01 PM
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Interesting story. Despot and occasional pal of Dennis Rodman, Kim Jong-Un, held Korean War veteran Merrill Newman for, well, war crimes before releasing him. Should Newman be eligible for a prisoner of war medal? Technically speaking, he is not entitled as he is not a current member of the US Armed Forces, AS FAR AS I KNOW. Yet the actions emanated from his involvement in the war itself. Finally, we are still TECHNICALLY AT WAR with N. Korea.
Note that contractors are not eligible for awards when they were taken in Iraq or Afghanistan, so there is precedence for civilians being taken prisoner in active war zones, including being a civilian in a country where one was formerly serving as a member of the armed forces. In this sense, Newman is not a prisoner of war. But it is an interesting question nonetheless...
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Short answer: Absolutely NOT.
The term Prisoner of War/POW is very specifically defined in the treaties and conventions we recognize.There are other, very specific terms used for civillians taken by a hostile military force. Both of those terms afford - different - specific rights and obligations under those conventions to those whom they apply to.
Democrats/Libs/Commies/Progressives change definititions as necessary to invoke the desired emotional responses. We really don't need to be picking up that particular predillection from them.
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There is also the question of what was he doing there in the first place. Seems like he might be more in line for one of those "stupid" prizes.