[trebb]

Kill the enemy if you have to, but for Pete's sake, don't you dare try to scare him...

[Alberta's Child]

The staff judge advocate for the 4th Infantry Division has charged him under the Uniform Military Code with communicating a threat and aggravated assault.

A nation that charges soldiers with "communicating a threat" and "aggravated assault" can no longer even justify its own existence, let alone the war in question. I'm usually not the kind of person who likes to say "I told you so," but this is exactly the kind of sh!t I envisioned when I opposed this war in Iraq in the first place -- you simply don't send people into a combat situation and expect them to act like Girl Scouts selling cookies.

[Mark Felton]

agreed.

[Ispy4u]

There is a good discussion here Colonel in Iraq refuses to Resign regarding LTC West's actions.

I am of the opinion that he has to be punished, but I don't think he should lose his retirement or have a criminal record over this. His career is over even if all he recieves is a letter of repremand, and that's a shame because he obviously is a leader who cares for his soldiers deeply.

[armyboy]

It's sad when a small group of REMF's with high rank think that they know how to run every aspect of this war, even though they aren't in the thick of it and see what goes on every day.

[struwwelpeter]

It's probably too late already. The rumor-mill in Iraq is probably running overtime on this one, with all sorts of interesting verisons. The reprecussions will be devastating - expect less initiative and more CYA.

Remember the JAG officer who nixed the Osama Predator shot? Time to purge these Clinton-era holdovers before they get more good men killed.

[1st-P-In-The-Pod]

"Just allow the Pentagon to move forward with plans to court martial Lt. Col. Allen B. West."

My family discussed this last week and came to the same conclusion. We expect our government to protect these brave men and women with everything and anything available. That includes recognizing the right of every soldier to protect his life and the lives of his comrades, using whatever methods necessary. This pc witch hunt is cr*p, and makes us look like fools.

I believe President Bush has far more sense than to sell our soldiers cheaply. What's wrong with the people at the Pentagon, and how can this be stopped?

[Steely Glint]

The US Army's motto: warriors not wanted here.

He should have shot the jerk in the knee and then started asking questions. Why waste a round? Bullets cost money.

[iBillDavis]

this war was lost the day the iraqi army disappeared...urban warfare is the same as guerilla warfare, unwinable as in nam...