BDashe 0 #1 December 23, 2009 interesting article in WSJ: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704304504574610660008372886.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories "Four U.S. civilian contractors working in Fallujah were ambushed and killed by al Qaeda. Their bodies were burned, then dragged through the streets. Two of the charred bodies were hung from the Euphrates Bridge and left dangling." "...Navy SEALs captured the mastermind of that attack..." "Three of the SEALS are now awaiting a courts-martial on charges ranging from assault to dereliction of duty..." There is a more moving story about the author's father who was in the Battle of the Bulge and witnessed some pretty bad stuff, and how we reacted in WWII. I think the author closes with an excellent point: "But when only one side follows these rules, they no longer elevate us. They create a very unlevel field and more than a little frustration." My dad has mentioned this sentiment quite a bit when he reflects on his 13 months as a Ranger in Pleiku in '65-'66. The article isn't too long, definitely worth the read. I have to agree with the idea that rules of war are important as long as logic and common sense aren't tossed out the window.So there I was... Making friends and playing nice since 1983 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
futuredivot 0 #2 December 23, 2009 I still stand by my position that if all you can show is a fat lip-you were not abused by three pissed off SEALs. I hate that the fucker slipped in his cell and wish him a speedy recovery and summery execution. If you see it differently, get on your knees and thank God that we live in a culture that feels obligated to care for the stupid.You are only as strong as the prey you devour Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,146 #3 December 23, 2009 "But when only one side follows these rules, they no longer elevate us. They create a very unlevel field and more than a little frustration." While I have no sympathy for the prisoner, I disagree with most of the above statement. I fail to see how not abusing this guy, or not shooting the Nazi guards at Dachau, would have disadvantaged us or our allies in any way. Frustration, certainly that part is true. Court martialing the SEALS is absurd.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redlegphi 0 #4 December 24, 2009 Quote "But when only one side follows these rules, they no longer elevate us. They create a very unlevel field and more than a little frustration." While I have no sympathy for the prisoner, I disagree with most of the above statement. I fail to see how not abusing this guy, or not shooting the Nazi guards at Dachau, would have disadvantaged us or our allies in any way. Frustration, certainly that part is true. Court martialing the SEALS is absurd. They're being court martialed because they refused to accept a lesser punishment (Article 15). This tells me that either their lawyer has told them that they have a really good case or that they think they have a really good case. Either way, in my experience, UCMJ tends to be pretty fair towards the defendants, so if they did nothing wrong, then they'll get off. If they did something wrong, they'll probably be punished appropriately. As for following the rules no longer elevating us, the writer got that exactly wrong. Following the rules elevates us even more. More importantly, events like this (if proven) and Abu Gharaib are IO losses. In the Global War on Terror (or whatever the hell we're calling it now) IO losses are of much more impact than physical battlefield wins. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 190 #5 December 27, 2009 I'm not worried bout the SEALS going to jail...they specialize in escape and rescue. Your secrets are the true reflection of who you really are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
