It is what you get when you allow LIBERALISM and ANTI-MILITARY non-patriots get into the military fighting process in any way. A massive travesty.
The indictment should be on .223, not Marines. Less lethal calibre, more shots fired and more people with their panties in a wad over how many rounds it took to take the bad guys down.
In ordinary combat? Absolutely not. The problem is if and when you have Mi Lai-style situations, where American soldiers go ape and take out civilians. Such has happened, and is inevitable when you send twenty-somethings out with guns to kill people. That doesn't make it acceptable.
Now, telling the difference between a civilian and an insurgent is not easy. No one disputes that - but the UCMJ demands that soldiers act reasonably. The rules of engagement require that you reasonably believe the target is a threat before engaging - you cannot indiscriminately shoot anyone who speaks Arabic.
Do the JAG-happy boys in the DoD even know the nature of the enemy we're facing?
This line shows this piece is nothing more than a rant. People like Gen. Patraeus know better than anyone here the nature of the enemy we're facing. It's a counter-insurgency - and in such a situation, a "kill 'em all" approach is disastrous because it makes more insurgents.
Wow! Great column by David Allender.
My only problem with the column is that Allender seems to give George Bush a pass in this whole idiotic “rules of engagement” mess. Last time I looked, President Bush was the Commander-in-Chief. If the scumbag ACLU lawyers at JAG are running the war, then it must be with the blessing of President Bush. And that is disgraceful.
PHILLIPS: Fifty rounds, sixty rounds to stop them?
So? If they were dead with the 1st then the next 49 are insurance. Big deal!
Put this Phillips guy out in the streets and see if he considers the number of rounds an issue.
Sir, Before I comply with your order to attack, I’ll have to confer with my lawyer on the legality of that order. Would you kindly inform the enemy that they have to wait until my answer comes back?............
What a bunch of ...
I’m glad I’m retired, or I’d be up on charges.
And I'm sick and tired of the media labeling a firefight excessive force, depending on how many shots were fired. Marines are specifically trained to throw AS MUCH LEAD at their enemy as possible, until they're beaten back, dead, or beating a hasty retreat. Often times, even then, Marines are told to hunt down and pursue those that flee. All of this is well documented, and the media keeps shying away from the truth.
The drunken Politically Correct hippie holdovers are insisting on a P.C. war, just like Vietnam - so America will again have to retreat, tail tucked between legs - to the delight of the Hate America First P.C. crowd.
I agree, though, if this bunch is going to tie the hands of the American warriors so they can’t defend themselves without risking a murder conviction - then bring them home NOW and let the war hero, John Kerry and his crowd, defend themselves on their own turf. Then shooting the enemy in the back might even be acceptable if it threatened their vacations in the Hamptons.
The Dems are trying to make this into Me Lie and can’t find enough Liars.
Pray for W and Our Troops