[Sabertooth]

The Army relieved West of his battalion command, which effectively ends his career.

The way I got the story is: West troops were unable to get information from an individual (an Iraqi policeman turned in by an informant) who supposedly had made a comment that "more Americans were going to die." One can only suppose that the colonel took this personally since he was the battalion commander.

The Iraqi was not forthcoming so West drew his weapon, explained to the man that he was a poor shot and fired a round into a nearby barrel ... the man was somewhat chastened, but still not forthcoming ... so West fired another round a bit closer to the man, noting that his marksmanship was improving and he MIGHT be able to put the next round between the man's eyes.

That noticeably loosened the man's tongue and West said the detainee then provided the names of two accomplices and told of another planned sniper attack the next day.

Unbelievable.

The prosecutor in this case has been Clintonized for our protection.

[janetgreen]

Thanks for the ping for this good cause. Signed.

[MissAmericanPie]

Like I said, it will take a century to undo the damage that man inflicted on this nation. If it can be undone.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[sarasmom]

Sabertooth,the USA military does not "plea bargain" regarding conduct.
The UCMJ covers all actions.
Everyone involved knows this.
Especially Officers in command positions.
This is not really a matter subject to civilian debate, as the conditions and conduct of war are not in the civilian realm of influence.
The UCMJ supercedes the Constitution, for those who actually are involved in combat.All involved swore an oath to abide by the UCMJ,and knowingly placed themselves outside civilian courts.

[military cop]

The entire chain at that level was Clintonized in the 90's. How else do you think they got promote?

That was my resoning for leaving active service and it's my rationale as to why things are the way they are over here.

Do you realize the USMC did not lose one marine to hostile fire this summer?

Part of that was because of a more homgenous religious populace. But, that doesn't account for the stability that the marines brought to places like Najaf and Naseriyah before they left.

The marines showed up knowing what they were all about. They laid it out for the locals in simple terms: We can be your best friend, or your worst nightmare. The choice is yours.

The army, on the other hand, walks in with kid gloves and peace, love, and happiness because that's the politically correct thing to do.

It's not the soldiers. They are ready and willing to make things happen. It's the "leaders" at the highest levels.

The kind that, when my President asked the tough question as to whether these guys had their plan wired tight, they all gave a north/south and ran off. They hit the ground post war with no rehearsal of most likely case and most dangerous case. Even the smallest unit knows that's the minimum to move out.

I have told this forum before: My confidence in my President has never waivered. He is a first guesser in a world of second guessers. His military planners at the strategic level, however, could not have been prepared.

For 10 years, planners in Tampa have had nothing but time to plan for every aspect of this operation. Why, were the variables that we are dealing with now not dealt with then?

When given enough time the COS is going to clean house in a very big way. I understand he can't do it while engaged. But, I hope it happens sooner than later.

This simply isn't the army I joined in 1984.

By the way, my commander's claim to fame was that he was a great comptroller......

So they gave him a command as a reward.


nice.

[MeekOneGOP]