[StonyBurk]

May not be a hero--but he Is the kind of Officer I would want--if in the feild. What he did was overcome the feild
problem of intelligence gathering. He spoke to the enemy in
the only language the enemy is capable of understanding.
Col.West created a usefull dialogue that saved lives--both
American and Iraqi.Or at the very least demonstrated prior
rumor to be true thus allowing him to avoid a dangerous
situation. If a commander isn't willing to go through hell
with a gascan to protect his men --he isn't worth diddly .

[Ispy4u]

Almost all officers in command would walk through hell with a gas can for their men. It's a real nice sound bite though.

[jazzlite]

StonyBurk..You are so right! Book learning gives only a mere sketch of possible scenarios in any situation. Reality present problems and the need for decision making not outlined in training. This is true in war, medicine or anywhere you want to look. The unexpected is not simple. In such a situation, a true leader will put himself on the line to provide the greatest level of safety to those he is trying to protect. In this case, Col. West's loyalty was to his men, not to the enemy. The thought that now, our military is practicing "political correctness" to the extent that they will punish an American Hero for not giving "equality" to our enemy is simply insanity to me. If the information about this event could somehow be miraculously poured into the heads of every American, the irate outpouring would be remarkable against the Army's position on this. People are too busy to be aware of everything. Eventually this story will get around and a response will come for Col. West and his family. God bless him for being the kind of leader we need in a crisis.

[milan]

May not be a hero--but he Is the kind of Officer I would want--if in the feild. What he did was overcome the feild problem of intelligence gathering. He spoke to the enemy in the only language the enemy is capable of understanding. Col.West created a usefull dialogue that saved lives--both American and Iraqi.Or at the very least demonstrated prior rumor to be true thus allowing him to avoid a dangerous situation. If a commander isn't willing to go through hell with a gascan to protect his men --he isn't worth diddly .

Nail on the head.