torture in Iraqi jails

In today's news, more revelations of abuse of prisoners. The real problem is secrecy - everyone wants secrecy, and with secrecy we will do whatever we want. (Notice how, even at this stage, the authorities condemn the messenger - they still want secrecy.)

There are two solutions to secrecy: power, or trust. Trust arises from cooperation and cooperation from a fair balance of power. It's the golden rule: he who has the gold makes the rules. Or in this case, runs the jails. If you come from a dirt poor part of Iraq and decide to support the local charismatic leader, and if you then get captured by western forces, there is nothing you can do about it. The real problem is economic inequality. Which can all be traced to land ownership, on a local and a global scale.

Injustice based on secrecy based on inequality - another problem solved by land rent.