Why should our soldiers be tried for murder, when Iraqies torture, and murder them? I think it's phsycological

Question

Just as in Viet Nam, this a war where the people from Iraq don't want them there, and the anti war ralliest make soldiers feel like there is no point, or honor in being there. In addition, it is almost impossible to tell "friend" from "foe", and just as in Viet Nam... they brutally torture, and slaughter the American P.O.W.'s, and civilians. American soldiers form a bond, just like a family. Then to lose this family to sensleless terrorist attacks? By people, who look, just the same as the supposed to be civialian Iraqies? Children, and women strapped with explosives? Booby traps in supposed civilian housing areas? To the average person, to kill without pre "hostile" knowledge seems horrible, and murderous. You see the news, and see innocent Iraqie victims. The soldiers often look, and see potential attackers, and murderers of family. They weren't murders before the war. They need serious mental treatment. Not publicly crucified, to satisfy human rights activist, and anti war ralliest.

No, I did not say it should be open season on Iraqis. You obviously did not read thoroughly, or try using understanding sir. Are you in their shoes? Do you know what they were thinking before they shot the civilian Iraqis. I do not condone ANY murder. I mearly point out that without a THOROUGH phycological interview with each soldier involved, and their uninvolved comrades. You have no right to judge them, or say it was murder. In their minds, it may not have been so. Did you see the video where Iraqi's sawed off an American civilians head? Not cut it off.. SAWED it off slowly. What it that had been your brother? It would not have mentally traumitized you? Keep in mind, things like that, and women, and children "human bombs" are an ever day occurance to our soldiers. Noone can say what each human mind is capable of handling. You are in a crowd. They all look the same. You know for certain you might be shot at any moment, who is the shooter? Imagine yourself in this situation. Can you?

Yes, you are right. I am sure torture goes on, on both sides. Sadly... this is caused by the hatred that war produces. I don't hate Iraqis. I just feel that to try someone, who is in a war situation as a murderer. Without even looking at their pre war background, and a total phycological evaluation... not just for them, but their whole platoon at least, just isn't right. We should all love each other, and get along, but unfortunately... this isn't the way of the world, or it's peoples. I am sure the loved ones of the Iraqi civilians, and the loved ones of the soldiers on trial... are both shedding tears, and feel anger, and pain combined. I still disagree with this murder trail so speedily, with more worry of satisying Iraq, and the American public... than concern for WHY it happened in the first place. I would not want to be there, but would serve my country again, if they would take me at my health, and age. It does not matter WHY our troops are there. They need our support.

My point exactly Joe, on both of your answers. The first answer I recieved from rocknroll5, sees this point also I believe. Thank you The news should report the current war status, not be digging for dirty laundry, and jumping the gun for the contraversy of a BIG STORY. If I were at war in Iraq right now, as an American soldier. I would be feeling a lot of disenheartment, and discouragement. If that soldier stops to think even 1 second about these kind of issues while in combat. It mat well be his very last thought. Too many people worry about their ideal of how it should be, and justice in their eyes. Than for the safety, and moral of our troops fighting there. Creating scandals as to why they are there, and looking for every excuse to complain, and point the finger. Is both disrespectful, and dangerous to our troops.

The question, (and) the detailed description immediately following the question. Was pertaining to the mental stress, and ability to have been thinking rationally when the crimes occured. If you have been in the military 25 years. If you were in combat situations. Then you would understand what I was asking, and saying. I never condoned murder, and/or torture either. All the discipline in the world won't matter... if someones sanity becomes unstable. My point was simply that a thorough mental competency evaluation should be performed. On the troops up for murder, as well as their fellow platoon members, before everyone starts yellin MURDER, and touting military eticat, and discipline standards. Did the people who act like discipline, and their point of what is right, or wrong even read the other comments, or my many replies? I was brought up with strict total discipline, and also 4 years military disciplined training. I still suffered 2 total mental breakdowns later. Want to hang me?

Just for "bctpm",
The war started over (ACTS OF TERRORIZM) "supported" (by the Iraqi nation) in general. I saw the footage from Iraq when the towers fell. They were celebrating in the streets. So enough of the poor innocent Iraqis', and the big bad U.S. stealing their oil. Why is gas $3:00 a gallon most everywhere? If it was over oil... we could have just nuked everything, if we were crushing innocent Iraq, for their oil. You ever served your country? No? Just hush please.... As far as allowing a killing free for all. As I said (CLEARLY), in earlier statements.... "I ( DO NOT) condone murder, OR torture. I won't bother repeating what I have already said several times again. As far as my ability to comprehend, and read, or understand... try doing that yourself. (For the sarcastic jerk wanting to insult intellect... instead of answering a question.) I regret ever asking this question now. Thank you to the ones who actually answered responsibly. To the others. I wish you were in Iraq...

Answer 1

I say that CNN, NBC, CBS and all other TV news people should be pulled out. This is a military issue not a public issue, we are at war. By showing these reports they are only causing harm to our people fighting this war and when they report on issues without first getting all the details they may condemn innocent military personnel. The US courts like to make an example out of people in these high profile cases for all the world to see. I can not find it in me to say for sure that if I were in their situation I would not shoot first and ask questions later.

Answer 2

~First of all, if an Iraqi has killed an American soldier, it would be a moot point to put the dead soldier on trial. Or is that just a product of your poor ability in use of the language?

It is interesting, and not a little pathetic, that you actually see all the analogies to Nam and can still don't understand the significance. Ok, real slow then:
The Iraqis are defending their homeland against an invading force engaged in an illegal war. They are outnumbered and outgunned. Taking a lesson from other folks from the past, like the minutemen at Lexington, they use guerilla tactics. Common sense, no?
The invaders pretend to be governed by international treaties and domestic codes on the proper and gentlemanly conduct of war. It's ok to kill, but do it nice.
The question you should be asking is "Why hasn't the UN passed countless resolutions for trade and banking embargoes against the US and UK until they terminate the illegal invasion and withdraw?"

Ignoring the illegality of the war and the patriotism or blind obedience of the troops on both sides, or fear or racism (whichever is the driving force) if one commits atrocities, one pays the price. Problem is, we keep Iraqi patriots (live with it, at home, they are) locked up without trials or any process, let alone due process, while we overlook the "foibles" of our 'boys'. Who is the last American tried for war crimes? Bill Calley. What did he get for massacering an entire village of women, children and non-combatants? House arrest. What exactly is your point?

I feel real bad for demoralized troops. Guess that cush job they volunteered for turned hot on them. I imagine the folks who have lost their homes, their families, their livelihoods, their life savings, their culture and essentially their lives are jumping for joy because Georgie's pals have a secure supply of oil again. Wouldn't it be neat if they all just threw down their weapons and said "I'm going home"? Better still, they should have used a little common sense and a lot of balls and said "I'm not going over" in the first place.

Answer 3

Part of what we do in our conflicts around the world is to export our way of living. This isn't part of a stated policy or anything, it's just something that follows after a conflict, and is unavoidable, once the war starts.

So - one of the major points in our way of living is that we understand and care deeply about the difference between right and wrong (not saying that we're right about it, mind you - that's a different discussion).

But part of knowing that difference is paying attention to it - and murder, even in war, is wrong. Even if the Iraqis or Viet Cong or whoever might see it differently. We will always do what we can to police the battlefield, meaning that the American people will never knowlingly tolerate murder in war. War, contrary to what some uninitiated might believe, is not simply a matter of some kind of killing free-for-all. And we Americans, contrary to what some foreign folks might believe, are not killers.

Answer 4

maybe there should be a law allowing the police to torture as well after all they meet some of the same situations as soldiers
soldiers are supposed to be a disciplined group at least that is what i was taught in 25 years military service

Answer 5

We hold our troops to a higher standard of conduct.
Long time careers have been ruined by people who did not understand that,we have people in prison,who started acting like
the BARBARIANS we'r fighting.
One thing you can count on in the military is a fair trial, the who,what,when,where,why,will be extensively researched and any extenuating circumstances taken into account.

Answer 6

Hey young man, the US is a superpower, you think the US is stranger at committing act of tortures ? you silly boy, to the contrary the US is very BEST at doing torture, It has doctors and psychiatrists helping the torture, Note Bush pushed the torture extent as to decreed that NO HUMAN conventions would apply to the people it illegally confines..

Personally i could not believe that torture was being carried on in our times, specially tortures being carried by americans.


Pee this post from Paul Street on US tortures..

http://blogs.zmag.org/node/2594

Answer 7

The fact is just beacuse you have a rifle, your not God. Stress or not The rules of engagement and the UCMJ always apply to any actions taken. Emotions need to be checked, you can't just go Rambo and shoot every body. Let the investigation run it's course and then we will see what really happened here.

Answer 8

So what you're saying is that it should be open season on Iraqis; that no American should be tried for the unjust killings of Iraqis?

You are seriously screwed up in the head.

Answer 9

That, what I cannot figure out and the rest of your statement hit it right on the head.