2006-07-01 01:01:45 · 30 answers · asked by colonel 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Ultimately they won't get away with it. In any group you will find some sociopaths. The military is not immune from this. By the nature of what the military does -- controlled violence -- it does tend to attract a disproportionate share of that personality type. Most are weeded out in initial accession screening but some will get past that.
The fact that our GIs are being attacked is NO EXCUSE for retaliating against civilians, even civilians who do not want us there. The Laws of Armed Conflict permit the use of controlled violence against an opposing military force. When the opposing force surrenders, our violence MUST STOP IMMEDIATELY. Civilians are never a legal military target unless they attack us, at which point they become legal military targets by nature of their actions. However, once they give up the fight we must immediately stop as well.
A key element is that even if we are subjected to violence that is illegal under the Geneva Convention, we will NOT retaliate in kind! This is the law of the land, folks. All military personnel have this drummed into their heads virtually form day one in basic training and repeatedly throughout their service. Under NO circumstances are we permitted to assault civilians or non-combatant military personnel (medical personnel, chaplains, etc.) regardless of what the opposing forces may rain down upon us. To do so is pre-meditated murder, plain and simple!
If it is proven that any of our military personnel were involved in the assault, rape and/or murder of civilians, they WILL be punished in accordance with the law. Those who do such things bring dishonor upon the rest of our military personnel and we will not tolerate their actions!
2006-07-01 02:01:32 · answer #1 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They committed an evil crime and Iraqi extremists are evil but they do not represent every Iraqi. The crux of the question is that they were "civilians"!
I have a friend who is a Britsh soldier of Iraqi heritage who is grateful for the ousting of Sadam having heard from his parents of the atrocities there.
He is sad that people don't see that amongst the chaos, there are many ordinary people that are appreciative of what soldiers are sacrificing to help them. He said that they don't deserve to be tarred with the same brush as the few that spoil it for the whole country. The saddest thing is now they fear their very liberators. They now want the troops out because they know the more lives are lost, the more they will be hated by the west even though they have had no part in the extremism.
Unbelieveably he said that because of the situation, soldiers can justify that they may have been killed by mistake in the heat of a war because many Iraqis are now looked upon as ungrateful potential assassins but there is no justification for rape. They will get away with it because of the work of a few extremists.
2006-07-01 01:41:57 · answer #2 · answered by Ms Bleu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same way Iraqis torture, rape, and savaging innocents...gasing babys and old ladies alike. Cutting the throat of a losing soccer coach after raping his wife in front of him. Or sending a 9 year old out with an AK-47 to take pot shots at soldiers trying to restore a power grid and then holding the same bloodied son in front of the cameras and saying "look what they did..." or Starving an Army with little more than one bowl of rice per day and some wild dogs with the propaganda that killing americans will be easy.
War is ugly. It wasn't meant for the media. And in a place where individuals make or break combat...you'll have gross individual misconduct. It's not reflective of the fighting force nor it's country.
If you were a real Colonel...you'd know that.
2006-07-01 01:08:22 · answer #3 · answered by Warrior 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where were your questions when they executed four Americans by shooting them point blank in the head. Why weren't you outrage by the be headings? Have you visited any of our hospitals where the wounded are? Have you ever been shoot at?
Have you had your friend shoot before your eyes? If they are innocent, then how can those shooting at us hide in their midst and they say nothing? Americas problem is that a lot of folks think that there is some kind of sweet, nice, fair way to have a war! Innocent Iraqis? Who has killed the 2500 + US service men, not counting innocent US civilian workers and persons from other countries? Go get shoot at then come back and question someone?
2006-07-01 02:00:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
These things happen. The public is not ready to see what out troops are doing back there. It is not like one of those good ol' War movies you see back in your comfy couch and with your Popcorns... And then they are all shock when they hear Americans doing such crimes. You have to consider that they have been there for many months and the Physical, Mental and Emotional Demands are so uptight that some of our troops are ready to crack.
Why do you think they killed the civilian? If you get caught violating such crimes... You will be Punish under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This ain't no civilian slap on a wrist punishments.. this is military punishments. If you read a few of them, there are special punishments when at war.. we are at war.
something to think about.
2006-07-01 01:31:44 · answer #5 · answered by Chicago19 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard this one. I am sure though there are some individuals in the US army who would do no such thing. But some who have no regard for Iraqis can do this. I understand some raped some Koreans a few years ago and literally went away with it. Shame.
2006-07-01 01:10:17 · answer #6 · answered by St Lusakan 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the saying is they are innocent until proven guilty,It sounds horrible that may have or have not happenned but unless you were there and been through the experiences they have seen personally we can not judge.I know alot of things get covered up in the military not all is told just what they think people should hear even though it is the truth or not.
2006-07-01 01:37:42 · answer #7 · answered by peanutbulls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's War. It's War. Don't tell on your buddy. Rule #1 in basic training. I don't support War but our armed forces are no different from our populous, stress from combat, I'm sure, brings out the worst in people too.
The only thing you can do about it is Vote for your local DEMOCRAT for congress and encourage others too. A majority in the house or senate is the only way you can help to oppose the Presidents war and restore checks and balances in Washington.
2006-07-01 01:24:38 · answer #8 · answered by john p 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this instance, rape is another tool of violence. These Iraqis have ceased to be people and are animals. With that critical shift in thinking, I am free to do as I choose.
Besides, there has to be some kind of tacit approval for such barbaric behavior from their superiors
2006-07-01 02:08:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
How can you just assume they are guilty because the ap says they are? What ever happened to the right to a fair trial. If there was a story in the paper that you raped or murdered someone should we just assume you did it? Ask O.J.
Chances are that they are guilty but they still have the right to a fair trial, and it appears they are not getting away with it. Let's give them the right they are giving to us.
2006-07-01 02:43:53 · answer #10 · answered by Bill S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋