Posted on 06/12/2006 10:06:23 AM PDT by Daniel T. Zanoza
The killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi has brought a temporary halt to the media feeding frenzy regarding the alleged murder of Iraqi civilians in Haditha, Iraq and a possible cover-up of the incident by high-ranking military officials. Al-Zarqawi's death has dominated the news coming out of Iraq in recent days, but the press is sure to re-focus its attention on those Marines accused of massacring 24 men, women and children.
The Haditha incident reportedly began when a Marine was blown in half by a roadside Improvised Explosive Device (IED). It has been alleged irate Marines then went on a murderous rampage, killing men, women and children in an effort to avenge the ambush of their comrade. In contrast, the on-scene action report stated; after the detonation of the IED, a squad of Marines participated in a furious fire fight with Iraqi insurgents which resulted in the deaths of some civilians. The Pentagon, supposedly, is now investigating the matter. Most news coverage of the Haditha event has failed to report the city was actually a hot bed for Iraqi insurgents and sympathizers. During recent elections in Haditha, a minute fraction of the population voted and indeed Marines were sent to the region to clear the area of anti-government forces.
The sad aspect of the entire episode is the Marines who had to fight in that Iraqi hell hole have seemingly been charged, tried and convicted of the atrocity without the benefit of any trial. Eight Marines are currently being held in the brig at Camp Pendleton, California. They are under 23 hour lockdown, only being allowed to leave their cells for one hour each day. These men--who were willing to sacrifice their lives for our country--are put in handcuffs and leg irons when outside of their cells.
The question is: Since the Pentagon claims the incident is still under investigation, why are these Marines being treated like convicted serial killers awaiting punishment on death row?
These young men may be the victims of a short-circuited military justice system. Obviously, the United States government feels it must prove to the World the charges against the Marines are being taken seriously and they should. However, this seems to be happening at the expense of men who found themselves in a war where there are no front lines, it is often impossible to distinguish friend from foe and the slightest hesitation can result in the death(s) of a fellow soldier or themselves.
Over the last weekend, it was reported three detainees at the Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo) detention facility in Cuba hung themselves. Earlier accounts had detainees participating in hunger strikes; though some reports claimed these prisoners only stopped eating when their lawyers were in attendance. Some bleeding hearts in the liberal mainstream media cited Gitmo as an inhumane place of great suffering where possibly innocent men languished in mind-numbing solitude. Many called for the closing of Gitmo and sought justice for these enemies of America who would do anything to circumvent liberty wherever they found it.
One might ask where are the pleadings for justice concerning the low-ranking Marines who are now sitting in the brig at Camp Pendleton? What are the charges against them and when will they be filed? Are these Marines so dangerous to our society they must be treated like child molesters, rapists or terrorists?
If the United States military asks the ultimate sacrifice of its young men and women, perhaps our nation should guarantee them justice and due process of law along the way--like they would anyone charged with a crime. But, again, these Marines have not been charged. Americans must not let the best of our youth be sacrificed on the altars of injustice and political correctness.
If an 18 year old were approached by a recruiter, that potential recruit should now ask if his or her country will come to their defense in return for them putting their life on the line. In lieu of what's happening to the Marines in the Haditha case, that question may not be easily answered.
Great post!
Did Bush really say our troops need "sensitivity" training?
This is bogus. Fair media? Since when is making things up fair?
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