Posted on 03/11/2007 3:38:43 PM PDT by RedRover
Thank you for this posting and for all your grand work!
God Bless Our Marines!
Agree completely with the "5 lessons" regarding the NCIS....A shame what we are putting some of our brave men through....
Thanks for the ping....
The bank has asked that we not send them donations directly, so, Please send any personal checks or money orders to:
Pendleton 8 Defense Fund
38 Madison Road
Dennis,Ma.02638
Donations may be mailed directly to this address. Please include the full name of the charity on the check or money order:
Pendleton 8 Defense Fund
Additional charities for these men, and information directly from their families can be found at:
Cpl. Robert Pennington
http://www.defendrob.com
PFC John Jodka
http://www.innocentmarine.com
Tyler Jackson
http://www.fightingfortyler.com
Cpl. Marshall Magincalda
http://WWW.BRINGMAGICHOME.ORG
Cpl. Trent Thomas
http://www.defensefundformyhero.com
Lance Cpl Jerry Shumate
http://friendsofjerry.blogspot.com/
Other sites supporting the men:
http://www.defendthetruth.com
http://www.warrior-fund.org
Great job, RedRover!
So, this sounds like NCIS comes up with a premise, then goes about selecting the evidence that will prove this premise. IOW, they may not look at all the facts of the case, just those that fit their premise.
What about confessions? Did NCIS claim that Pantano had confessed to premeditated murder when in Iraq?
The WaPo covered the Pantano case and had every reason to caution its readers about the NCIS Haditha report. They did not. Our watchdog media, indeed.
Great article detailing how the NCIS does not work in the best interest of our soldiers. I can't wait to see if the Haditha residents actually testify or just have "sworn statements".
Excellent article, Red. Thanks for posting it and the ping.
Thank you
I have come to the conclusion that the Administration itself is willfully backing these spurious "Star Chamber" exercises ... primarily to keep the International Criminal Court, which we aren't a party to...but are "cooperating" with...OUT of our hair.
It is a temporary political expedient...appeasement of the globalist entity...
The head of the ICC even alludes to the US record of self-prosecuting so as to justify his decision to refrain from exercising their jurisdiction to commence war crime trials. That being said, good, honest men should have their rights protected in full...especially those who have pledged and sacrificed their all...and no amount of national interest in appeasing the globalists should enter into the equation at all.
This is a classic case of why I have lost a lot of respect for W and his top echelons. They really don't stand on core CONSTITUTIONAL principles. And no matter how it may temprorarily appear...I can only conclued that they aren't really looking out for us...they have other, globalist, fish to fry.
The refraining from signing the ICC was a mere temporary tactical position in my judgment. I honestly don't think that W would ever agree with Ronald Reagan, when he said in his farewell address:
Ours was the first revolution in the history of mankind that truly reversed the course of government, and with three little words: "We the people." "We the people" tell the government what to do, it doesn't tell us. "We the people" are the driver, the government is the car. And we decide where it should go, and by what route, and how fast. Almost all the world's constitutions are documents in which governments tell the people what their privileges are. Our Constitution is a document in which "We the people" tell the government what it is allowed to do. "We the people" are free. This belief has been the underlying basis for everything I've tried to do these past eight years.
And God Bless onyx!
What options are open to the CIC and SecDef in these situations?
That is EXACTLY what attorney Jonathan Turley said in the Petty Officer Daniel King case (back in 2001).
You can read his entire statement at the link. Here's a sample:
In my opinion, the NCIS is the most abusive police organization in this country. After numerous scandals and congressional inquiries, the NCIS continues to routinely violate the rights of sailors and Marines and continues to operate outside of the restrictions of either constitutional or professional standards. This case is perhaps the most egregious example of the NCIS culture and practices. However, it is not unique.
Ironically, the unconstitutional and abusive tactics used by the NCIS in this case not only undermined any legal case but defeated any legitimate search for the truth. After triggering an espionage investigation, NCIS agents found that they had no evidence and no spy. Rather than admit to a colossal blunder, these agents continued to interrogate a sailor for 19 and 20 hour sessions for 29 days. When no evidence was available to support their catastrophic misjudgment, they sought to create evidence. The NCIS manufactured a theory of espionage without foundation and then took steps to compel statements to support that theory.
And lest anyone think Turley is just a liberal weenie spouting off, read the statements of two JAGs (Lt. Robert A. Bailey and Lt Matthew S. Freedus) on the King Case at this link.
Traditionally, the President doesn't interfere with the process, but may issue a pardon (as in the Calley case) after the convening authority has reached a verdict. (That is, of course, if charges aren't dismissed by Gen Mattis after each Article 32).
The Sec Def may manuever behind the scenes, and express the President's will, but has no constitutional authority.
Regarding the NCIS, no one has ever shown any inclination to reform the agency. There was an opportunity after the USS Iowa turret fiasco, but the only change seems to have been a name change: from NIS to NCIS.
But will the JAG officers and associates related to this Haditha set of cases carefully examine what happened to this Lt., and seek the high ground of honor or will they smear and continue to drag more honorable Marines through the mud to satisfy some need to seek convictions on false alleged charges.
Thanks for the continue list of references and other feedback.
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