When Lt. Pantano was accused, he asked himself if he should fight. He had volunteered to serve his country. Would going to jail, so that Iraqis knew he was punished, be a service?
He decided to fight, obviously, but it's a really interesting question.
Would the Haditha Marines serve their country by pleading guilty and accepting punishment--even if they know they are innocent?
The reason to raise this question is to try and understand the political nature of the charges against the Marines. I believe that that therein lies the reason for Mattis' actions.
What do you guys think?
Would you ever consider calling Pantano?
Are you saying that Mattis would want a Marine to take one for the team so the Iraqis feel some sort of “payment” for civilian deaths? In return Mattis would go for the shortest jail time possible?
After this AM I am SHOCKED you would ask me a thinker’s question! :)
See I forgot to answer the question...I personally do not feel that a Marine has the burden to carry on a debt or punishment for keeping himself alive and coming back home in hopes of pursuing a “normal” life with his family and good name. He should reap the benefits of what he sows for the USA. It is one thing to die for your country and your beliefs, so if you believe you are not guilty, continue the fight.
“Would the Haditha Marines serve their country by pleading guilty and accepting punishment—even if they know they are innocent?”
NO, this would not serve the country’s interest. It may serve certain brass’ interests who have personal stakes in this new direction. Haditha has happened, that bell can’t be unrung. Not standing behind your military personnel sends a huge message to insurgents/terrorists that their methods work. The Haditha Marines have paid dearly already. They have lost their future careers that they invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears in. They have been publicly called murderers, probably can’t walk down the streets without wondering what strangers are thinking, they and their families have been financially burdened, if not broken, live in fear of the future, so probably aren’t making many plans. They’ve been publicly “flogged” before a day in court.
One of the accused young men in the Duke rape case made a wise prediction about the day he dies. He said, paraphrased, when I die, it will be noted that one of three men accused in the Duke LaCrosse Rape case died today. He will live with that title the rest of his life even though he was proclaimed innocent. The Haditha Marines can probably relate to this sentiment.
They’ve done their time for killing women and children in Iraq. They should be released from this process. The media, politicians, and most of the public have moved on. Spending several years or life in jail will serve noones interests. If these actions had been premeditated, I could understand them having to pay a further price by being locked up. This is a ROE issue. This was their training for clearing a house during combat.