Charges announced against USMC

[Dos Equis]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060621/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/marines_iraq_shooting

I'm sure my detractors will be lining up. But before you think I don't have any skin in this game, I have two nephews in the 101st. Both in Iraq.

This is a railroad job. Plain and simple. Court martials and murder charges? For killing Iraqis that stood by knowing full well where an IED was, and doing nothing as they went past it. Maybe even helping signal the guy doing the detonation.

I'm sorry, but the only atrocity here is the USMC brass not protecting these guys. A few years ago an Israeli soldier drilled a little PLO kid about to throw a molotov cocktail at his unit. All he got was a re-assignment.

For the record, if I was there I would have done the exact same thing. No hesitation whatsoever. What did Bush say, that we would stand down when they stand up? Alright Iraqis, start standing up to the insurgency.

And the other thing that burns me, is that if this were another allied country besides the US that did this - they'd get a pass.

[Maverick]

Not flaming you, just observing that the link you posted does not support your post. No indication about standing by, or an IED in this particular article. Did you link to the wrong story?

[Dos Equis]

No, sorry. The charges are related to what happened in Haditha.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haditha_killings

I should have also included this link.

[Maverick]

Thanks for the second link.

I can't agree with your premise at this time. I have to say that an investigation needed to have been done and if the team violated the ROE and more importantly rules of war they should be held accountable. If there is any credence to the allegations then there was a serious breach of law. I did say IF.

I think a trial, even a court martial with it's limitation on coverage, is essential to get the info out. It will also likely be the only way anyone outside of the US would accept the veracity of the information released. Anything else would be seen as a cover up.

Until the evidence is presented I'm not going to hold any judgement on it. Let the system do it's work. If they screwed the pooch they will be held accountable, if not they should be released of responsibility.

[Edbert1]

Originally posted by Dos Equis

I'm sorry, but the only atrocity here is the USMC brass not protecting these guys.

Can I get an Amen?

[StarOfAfrica2]

Hmm, I think I predicted this one rather well, if I do say so myself.  I'd rather have been wrong.  

Btw, just as a caution, I wouldnt use Wiki's as backup for your posts.  While most of the time they are very accurate, its too easy for people to slip their own biased opinions into them and sometimes they have been known to "stretch" the truth a bit (and even more than a bit) to try to make their point.  Just sayin.

[Holden McGroin]

Just a nitpick, but the charges are against individual Marines, not the Marine Corp.

[Thrawn]

Originally posted by Dos Equis
Court martials and murder charges? For killing Iraqis that stood by knowing full well where an IED was, and doing nothing as they went past it. Maybe even helping signal the guy doing the detonation.

The Marines are getting a freaking trial, which is a hell of alot more than the people that they tried, convicted and executed.  Dispicable.

[Holden McGroin]

Originally posted by Thrawn
The Marines are getting a freaking trial, which is a hell of alot more than the people that they tried, convicted and executed.  Dispicable.

Sounds like you already convicted them.   Dispicable.

[Thrawn]

Originally posted by Holden McGroin
Sounds like you already convicted them.   Dispicable.

Touche.

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Dos Equis
[url]This is a railroad job. Plain and simple. Court martials and murder charges? For killing Iraqis that stood by knowing full well where an IED was, and doing nothing as they went past it. Maybe even helping signal the guy doing the detonation.

Same could be sent of French civilians in WW2. If they did anything to warn the germans the Resistance would make sure to make an example of them.

Civi's are neutral, if they signal someone and are observed doing it fair enough, but you can't blame em for just standing by when if they act they are guaranteed a painful death.

[Pooh21]

Originally posted by Vulcan
Same could be sent of French civilians in WW2. If they did anything to warn the germans the Resistance would make sure to make an example of them.

Civi's are neutral, if they signal someone and are observed doing it fair enough, but you can't blame em for just standing by when if they act they are guaranteed a painful death.

well if their inaction helped cause the death of one american, then good riddence to the lot of them

[Sandman]

Originally posted by Dos Equis
[url]
I'm sorry, but the only atrocity here is the USMC brass not protecting these guys.

They'll get their day in court. If they've done nothing wrong, they have nothing to fear.

[Captain Virgil Hilts]

Originally posted by Sandman
They'll get their day in court. If they've done nothing wrong, they have nothing to fear.

Sure. No one has ever been wrongfully convicted in a dog and pony show put on for the benefit of certain observers.

[Sandman]

So the alternative is to let them walk?