[Vermont Lt]

The problem is, this guy got caught. Those guys did not.

I dont dispute your stories. I've heard them myself from uncles and even my dad. However, they knew it was wrong (against orders) when they were doing it. They also knew that no one was going to turn them in.

My guess (and its just a guess) is this guy was not well liked by those he was working with. My guess is that the other folks in the room have a lot more stories to tell. My guess is that this guy is not the guy some folks are portraying.

Barbaric treament of prisoners is not acceptable. It is against the rules. What THEY do to us is not the point. It is how we conduct ourselves. That is what makes US better than them, in my opinion. And yes, sometimes that costs lives.

And Yes, I have roomates, and classmates in that theater as I type. And it doesnt change my position at all.

[MattinNJ]

My guess (and its just a guess) is this guy was not well liked by those he was working with.

Interesting point. You might be onto something.

Barbaric treament of prisoners is not acceptable. It is against the rules. What THEY do to us is not the point. It is how we conduct ourselves. That is what makes US better than them, in my opinion. And yes, sometimes that costs lives.

A well thought out and reasonable analysis. However, I respectfully disagree with your conclusion. I would trade tens of thousands of Iraqi lives for one of our boys...in a heartbeat.

[zipper]

You're right. The rules of war, as outlined by the Geneva Conventions, are very specific:

Convention (III) relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Geneva, 12 August 1949:

(article 17): "No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted on prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind whatever. Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted, or exposed to unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kind."

Lt Col West is guilty if he fired that weapon in the manner the news stories are reporting. The prosecution is certain to prevail. The only questions left to ponder are what the specific charges and punishment will be.