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Lt. West did the job the two (PC?) females responsible for the interrogation failed to do - he got the information. He'd already lost soldiers - the job desc does include avoiding unnecessary risk/casualties of his personnel, right?

The lawyer for Lt. West is still stateside due to mix-up in travel arrangements. In an interview on Dallas radio yesterday he suggested calls/e-mail to put pressure on congress & DOD.

Lt. West's kids are being taunted by some of the base kids (now in treatment for stress) & his wife is virtually uninsurable due to prior cancer...loss of family medical coverage is one of his considerations.

The DIV Commander 4th ID has no choice in this matter except to recommend court martial. He has to make it clear that these methods will not be tolerated.

Regarding the two soldiers already punished for beating the detainee, was LTC West also involved in that? Did he in any way encourage those two soldiers to mistreat the Iraqi? If so then LTC West should be tried for conduct unbecoming an officer in addition to the assault charge.

I hope for his and his family's sake that he doesn't lose his retirement benefits. That would be punishment well beyond what is called for here. I don't think being found guilty at a court martial doesn't ensure jail time either, if anyone knows different please tell me.