Can U.S. soldiers charged with crimes in Iraq use "temporary insanity" for a defens?

Question

I am not condoning the crimes commited by our servicemen overseas. I am curious to know how the exteme stress from fighting in this conflict is affecting our young men, many of whom have no previous criminal history.

Answer 1

I hope so because that's what it is. These young men and women are facing horrendous events constantly, watching their own people being brutalized while they are suppose to remain objective. I know I would crack.

Answer 2

Quillizmightier is right, these soldiers are held to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and are not guilty until proven otherwise, an article 32 hearing is to determine if they should be charged with a crime (the name sounds more serious than it is), if they are charged and found guilty then they should be punished by the UCMJ because United States soldiers are held to a higher standard just like Law Enforcement. I agree as being a medic that battle fatigue leads to combat stress but does not give a soldier the right to rape and murder, the only time a soldier should kill is if he/she is in fear of their life or platoon members lives, or it's a mission necessity.

I don't recall a tribute to every fine american serving our services for the freedom of our country and others, I salute everyone of them........

Answer 3

Yes, people have the right to claim their defense, Temporary or State Insanity, Drugged, etc. It all depends on the defensive side, once they choose a reason why, the go that direction, but really, it depends, there hasn't been much Supreme Court cases about War Crimes.

Answer 4

the overpowering majority do no longer. there are some idiots who ought to have been screened out. the U. S. militia ought to have severe standards yet whilst they think of that they are in a place to chop up a guy or woman's militia occupation from who he's at homestead, they're ineffective incorrect. Drunkenness, drugs, fornication, adultery, preocupation with occult and the "dark edge" are in basic terms a number of the failings that could desire to immediately kick one out of the militia. you're saying "yet then we would not have many human beings left". I assure you that fewer those with larger ethical standards ought to realize a good purchase greater beneficial than having idiots like this tarnish popularity of such a brilliant number of reliable infantrymen with their evil deeds. What i've got faith in, will never ensue unfortunatelly. Oh and all that advice from islamweb... is a team of enemy propaganda and Reuters is an arm of the islamonazi gadget.

Answer 5

How about waiting for proof that a crime was committed before rolling out the defense pleas. I find it amazing that in our country there is a presumption of innocence for child rapists but not for the men who are out there in a desert risking their lives for the very freedom that allows our press to issue vulgar and premature verdicts in a situation of which they have no real knowledge. We would do well to rely on someone other than the NY Times and the major News Networks for our info. I will say this without shame. If MY SON, BROTHER OR FATHER is fired on from a house and he and his comrades kill every man woman and child inside during return fire, I am HAPPY that he defended himself; I am THRILLED at the thought of our boys coming home even if it does cost civillian lives elsewhere. That is war, not a humanitarian mission. No other military force on earth cares so much for the lives of civillians as ours does. Those men are creeping house to house and roof to roof to try and isolate insurgents and avoid the deaths of innocents. They are building schools and hospitals. They endanger themselves every day in an effort to save the lives of every civillian they can. We could easily bomb that place to hell and back without the loss of one more American boy. Instead our sons lose their lives trying to save the residents there. I am proud that we value the lives of others so highly. I am glad that we make every effort to be cautious of those innocent people caught up in this, but does any one in charge of informing us care about these parts of our force?

Are they praised in the press? Are they respected for their sacrifice? NO. Every lost American life is a political weapon used by the left to convince us we fight an immoral and losing battle, and the INSTANT a question of their honor can be raised it is waved like a vile banner from the parapets of the media establishment. The bloodthirsty pigs that staff soulless caves like the halls of the NY Times, CBS, ABC, NBC et cetera LOVE the idea that there are rogue sickos running around collecting ears and notching their belts.

What we should be questioning at this point is not what plea t use for men who've not yet been charged, but rather WHY is our mainstream media OBSESSED with finding defilement in our best and bravest?

Answer 6

How about this. Most of these kids aren't old enough to drink and are fresh out of high school and are taught to kill and carry guns. Now I don't know about you, but that in itself is a disturbing thought to me. Besides. War Crimes are B.S. All is fare in love and war. And how can they even be called war crimes if we "aren't at war". Insanity should be able to be used as a defense in my opinion.

Answer 7

That's a good question, I don't know but they should have every right that any American has back in the states. I would say yes if if it was up to a vote I would vote yes, war is insanity

Answer 8

Well, they have an official name for mental issue assosciated with battle. "Post tramatic stress sympton". Not to say it can or should be used as a defense, but the stresses that combat cause are being recognized.

Answer 9

Legitimacy for prosecuting the war in the first place is a good place to start. Look up Viet Nam.

Answer 10

that is the lamest defense i've ever heard of and i don't think it should be allowed in ANY case anywhere. Um...they probably could cite that, but in that case it would call into question the military selection process.