Pretrial hearing starts on allegations military officer mistreated Iraqi detainee-Lt. Col West

AP | 11/18/03 | JIM GOMEZ

[MHGinTN]

When I started writing that post, yours was the last post. Don't be paranoid.

[Ispy4u]

Gee, you are slow!

[MHGinTN]

Lots of distractions around here of late.

[Poohbah]

There is one question that the lawyer can ask that has tremendous legal and PR benefit: Did Colonel West's action save the lives of American sodiers.

Prosecutor: Objection, speculative question.

Judge: Sustained.

End of that line of questioning.

[Jeff Head]

There is not even a majority, it is unanimous in favor of LTC West and his actions. As I said in one of my earlier posts, if we would have had good intel on 23 Dec 70, there would have been two less names on that black wall in DC. We need more men with the gonads to do what he did.

SLB, it is precisely because you have those hard, cold experiences that you understand and are unanimous in your feelings...along with, IMHO, being endowed with a good dose of common sense.

No one wants atrocities...but in this type of a fight, atrocities are the criminal and evil actions taken for their own sake. We have enemies doing that on a regular basis, and perhaps every now and then some of our own. This does not approach that standard or bar.

Following direct orders and written code is critical, but it is also paramount, in time-critical combat situations to allow for, and expect, discretion and judgement from our people. That is what West is guilty of, judgement and discretion that recognized the common sense of violating a written code in order to achieve the best possible results in his given situation.

It is against the law to speed...but when my wife went into quick contractions with our second child and we were still 25 miles from the hospital...I sped all the way there...and infracted the written and posted code by a considerable amount. Those 21 years ago, I do not know of a police officer who seeing the situation, would have impeded me...they would have led the way! I do not know of a jury that would have comvicted me.

It's perhaps not the best comparison...perhap[s the time I was assaulted IN LA and broke all kinds of "ruiles" toi chase down the perp and hold him until the Police got there would be a better one. Just the same, I pray there is good sense and virtue enough left in the 4th I.D HQ to be able to say the same of this episode.

[SLB]

Thanks for the kind words. I am not deserving.

I hope beyond all that we can say here on FR that common sense will come into play here. If not then I fear the loss of many lives due totally to the protecting one's own rear.

There is some hope though. I am working with a group of fairly talented LTCs and MAJs. However some of the O-6's need an additude adjustment which an early retirement would provide.

[Conspiracy Guy]

That's why we adopted each other.

[NYC GOP Chick]

That's going to make the Lovely Laura Earl my adopted sis-in-law. Is she OK with that? :)

[Conspiracy Guy]

She's cool.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Yes, she is! And thanks for bringing her into the family. :)

[Conspiracy Guy]

Every family should be so lucky as to add such a ray of sunshine.

[NYC GOP Chick]

You done good, big bro! :)

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks..

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks. Stupid T-storms keep knocking our pipeline in the crapper. See ya later little sis.

[NYC GOP Chick]

My pleasure -- just stay safe, big bro! :)

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm about to begin my swim home. LulaBelle called earlier and said the rain wasn't too bad, but the wind had the cats freaking out. She is sucha a good dog. But she isn't a ggod driver at all.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'm about to begin my swim home. LulaBelle called earlier and said the rain wasn't too bad, but the wind had the cats freaking out. She is such a good dog. But she isn't a good driver at all.

Sheesh I need to proof this crap.

[NYC GOP Chick]

The dog uses the phone and drives?!

[Conspiracy Guy]

She uses the speaker phone and knows which speed dial button to push. I don't let her drive any more because she kept trenching yards chasing cats. Twice she chased geese into the lake which means twice I had to get my Lezbeanne Yellow Ford Ranger EDGE pick up pulled out of the lake.

Going home now bye bye.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Hope you had a safe trip home!