Some Americans are outraged that certain soldiers are being prosecuted for committing heinous crimes in Iraq and are angrily calling for donations for their defense. They apparently don't feel that American soldiers should be held accountable in any way, shape, or form for crimes like the rape and unjustified murder of Iraqi civilians. To them, its not patriotic. Do you feel that being an American soldier should give you a free pass to behave in anyway whatsoever without accountability? Should the troops always be supported no matter what they do?
2007-07-28 19:08:59 · 19 answers · asked by abdiver12 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Yes, an American soldier, just as any soldier, should be held accountable for his/her actions under any circumstances. A soldier is a human being, of the international human race just as he/she is an American.
Anyone who says that American soldiers should be excused from immoral acts/crimes is exactly like a German citizen during World War II defending the German Nazi soldiers in committing genocide because the Nazi's were "saving Germany, restoring Germany to her natural glory", something many Germans truly believed after the horrors of the socioeconomic crumble of the end of World War I.
I would suggest anyone who believes that our soldiers should be "immune" to charges of crimes realize how that line of thinking is actually contradictory to the meaning and foundation of America: equality, freedom and justice. I would also suggest to this person to remember the adage, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". If America loses her sense of equality, freedom and justice, then America has lost her importance, her decency, and herself.
2007-07-28 21:31:46 · answer #1 · answered by étiénne 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps these people doubt the validity of the claim that the soldiers actually *committed* the crime. Some soldiers are foolish enough to accept a local girls favors, perhaps even pay for them... then the girl cries rape. Yes, it is foolish, they shouldn't be taking the chance.
I am *not* saying that the crimes do not happen, nor claiming they are in any way justifiable or shouldn't be punished (if the crime happened)... I'm just saying that some girls are flat-out liars.
2007-07-29 04:14:41 · answer #2 · answered by MotherBear1975 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
No, not immune. The policy of the USA has always been that if you commit a crime in another country, you should be held accountable by that country's criminal justice system. That's how we justify the fact that WE are allowed to prosecute the crimes of foreigners in OUR country.
That said, I don't see any problem with making sure they get a good defense in whatever trial they might have.
2007-07-29 02:13:17 · answer #3 · answered by Vaughn 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
The soldiers represent America and should also follow the moral beliefs. They should not be prosecuted for killing.That is usually what they are there for. Hey the soldiers are not perfect. My son is in his 4th tour over there. Go there and see what it like.
When it reaches the point their hands are tied anymore you wont have a military
Every war has had their bad ones commit crimes but they would here to.
Support our Soldiers,don't let a couple turn you against them.Once you turn you back you have lost America because they will not fight for you.
2007-07-29 02:18:11 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Mel 7 · 9⤊ 0⤋
I feel that Soldiers should not be tried by the media and Monday Morning Quarterbacks.
A Soldier that commits a crime is investigated and court martialed. That is where he should be tried. If he has raped or murdered as proven in his court martial, I have no pity on him.
If he has simply received notice in the media for something he may or may not have done, then the world needs to be quiet while the investigators and courts do their jobs.
Read my Articles "The Fog of War" and "The Investigation"
See my blog if you think you can make the decisions necessary or if you'd like to see the details of an investigation:
http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-DfkctJU7dK5B7LcNROoyVQ--;_ylt=A0SO42aQL6xGjQ0AQgC0AOJ3?cq=1
2007-07-29 02:16:44 · answer #5 · answered by John T 6 · 10⤊ 1⤋
I think that the soldiers should be convicted of real crimes, those crimes with the captured terrorists should not have been prosecuted, you have to break the enemy down to get them to talk, putting underwear on their heads is not my idea of a crime.
Some of our men have been accused of murder when in fact it was a story that was false and telephoned into Time Magazine by one of the terrorists, others have been accused of killing innocent women and children during the sweep of an area, these are not pre-meditated and they should not face charges.
What should be charged is premeditated acts of murder, treason and insubordination.
There have been far to many false charges against our men and women, I wish that Bush would pardon them all.
2007-07-29 02:19:06 · answer #6 · answered by justgetitright 7 · 10⤊ 1⤋
any time a man is on duty and kills some one he should at least enjoy as much protection s our prosecutors do in the court room, they enjoy complete immunity for any action they may perform while in a legal capacity, why should a solider not enjoy the same?unlike the prosecutor the solider only has a split second to make a decision,
2007-07-29 02:25:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
it's not just a matter of pitying the iraqi victims. it's also a matter of having an army that has some discipline. an army that can be controlled by its own officers
2007-07-29 02:13:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. It doesnt matter if you are home or abroad, if you commit a crime you should be punished for it.
2007-07-29 06:06:42 · answer #9 · answered by woodchipper890 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Vaughn. If that person commits crime in Iraq then Iraqi Justice System will come in action. That does not involve US officials at any point. Come on man, our boys are there to protects US and innocent Iraqis as well, they can't commit no Crime...!
2007-07-29 04:15:01 · answer #10 · answered by Flying Soldier 6 · 2⤊ 5⤋