1. It’s morally wrong and illegal.

2. It makes U.S. forces very, very angry.

3. It sends the signal to U.S. forces that you’re better-off fighting to the bitter end since being captured may be a death sentence.

4. It undermines the one thing on Iraq’s side: the sympathetic opinion of the Euro-human rights crowd. Already, Red Cross is condemning the Iraqis.

5. Makes it almost impossible, politically speaking, for any US leader to advocate anything short of total victory.