Posted on 03/14/2005 3:21:14 PM PST by Archon of the East
I am frustrated over the lack of action being taken on the part of our so-called conservative politicians, on behalf of Marine Lt. Ilario Pantano. The courageous Marine is facing the death penalty, if convicted of killing two Iraqi terrorists. If our elected officials are willing to send our young men and women into harm's way--they better be just as willing to protect them...We have to demand it!
Lt. Pantano is facing a court-martial and a possible date with the executioner. His crime?...He shot and killed two Iraqi terrorists. The two fled from a house where weapons and bomb-making materials were found. Pantano ordered the men to stop, they then turned and began walking toward him (many U.S. soldiers have been killed by suicide-bombers in just this manner). He shouted at them in Arabic, they continued to come towards him and he fired. Several months later, a disgruntled subordinate of Lt. Pantano's came forward with the bogus charges.
I can only imagine the daily horrors we would now be facing, if the American World War II veterans had faced such politically-correct scrutiny. We would all be goose-stepping right now. Well, not all of us--much of my family would be lampshades.
A few days ago, I phoned my own Congresswoman, to see what action she was planning to help Lt. Pantano return to a normal life. Certainly, the self-described "conservative" Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) who sits on the powerful House Armed Services Committee, would not allow Pantano to hang for simply doing his job! I voted for Drake because I believed her campaign promises to support the war effort and protect our troops...What a sucker I am!
I initially spoke with one of Drake's staffers (Claire Wulf). Ms. Wulf had no idea who Lt. Ilario Pantano was and was completely unaware of the case. After I filled her in on the situation, I was informed that Rep. Drake was very busy and that Congressional pardons are very difficult to secure. Ms. Wulf said: "Well, we get several requests for pardons and I can tell you--a Congressional pardon is quite rare."
I let Ms. Wulf know that it was even more "rare" for a soldier to be charged with murder, for killing the enemy!
I was eventually handed-off to another staffer (Tyler Brown) attached to Drake's Washington office. Mr. Brown was just as clueless as his local counterpart. Alas, my comments ended up in the vast abyss of Rep. Drake's voicemail. No one ever returned my messages. My so-called "conservative" Congresswoman is taking the same interest in the painful saga of Lt. Pantano which President Bush has taken...They simply don't care!
I know that Rep. Drake is not alone in her ignorance. I have yet to hear one Congressman or Senator speak out on behalf of the Marine Lt.
No wonder recruitment is down!
tried calling Specterman?
So far I've just written letters but this article made me think that it may be better to take the time to call. I will be making calls tomorrow.
This isnt the same story I have read previously.
Let it proceed.
Lt. Pantano recklessly endangered the lives of his troops by allowing prisoners unsecured access to their vehicle. The USMC is not in the habit of rewarding officers who show lousy judgement.
As a former Marine, I can attest that Lt. Pantano showed lousy judgement. You don't take the cuffs off of prisoners and allow them access to their vehicle.
I have already called and written.
The stories I have read suggest that he did this in case the vehicle was booby trapped. Was this not legitimate action?
I have faith in the military justice system, having sat on several courts-martial in my time. Let it play out.
No. What if they were suicide bombers?
This violates the most basic elements of handling prisoners (also known as the 6 S's--Search, Secure, Silence, Segregate, Safeguard, and Speed to the rear for interrogation) that every Marine gets drilled into his head in boot camp.
He lost the cover of "self-defense" when he commited a felony by disregarding standing orders for handling prisoners and recklessly endangering his men.
Felony + death caused by commission of said felony = felony murder.
Lt. Pantano recklessly endangered the lives of his troops by allowing prisoners unsecured access to their vehicle. The USMC is not in the habit of rewarding officers who show lousy judgement.
Let me guess, if you were the Officer-in-Charge, you would have searched the vehicle yourself? The terroristd favorite method of killing people in Iraq is car bombs(and IED's). I guess this Lieutenant should have risked his own life to insure two terrorists weren't endangered.
How long did you serve in the military?
bump, thanks
Think about this for a moment. Would you rather let a suicide bomber search the vehicle so he could denonate a possible bome and kill you and your men? Please, think this through. Suspected bad guys would be the last damn people you'd want to search the vehicle. Pantano's actions were criminally negligent at best.
Suspected bad guys would be the last damn people you'd want to search the vehicle. Pantano's actions were criminally negligent at best.
Sorry, but this incident didn't happen in downtown, USA. It's real easy for folks to determine that this guy was criminally negligent when they were raiding what they suspected were bomb-making sites. Who would you suggest he assign to do the initial inspection? The realities of war are much different than those projected on the "big screen".
Suspected bad guys would be the last damn people you'd want to search the vehicle. Pantano's actions were criminally negligent at best.
Sorry, but this incident didn't happen in downtown, USA. It's real easy for folks to determine that this guy was criminally negligent when they were raiding what they suspected were bomb-making sites. Who would you suggest he assign to do the initial inspection? The realities of war are much different than those projected on the "big screen".
Is this to say that you believe that allowing possible suicide bombers, search a vehicle where you don't know if there is a bomb the may detonate is a good idea? I noticed you post to me wall all fluff and allusions to movie screens and that you conspicuously avoided that very pointed question that I've once again restated for your benefit.
No wonder military recruiting is down.
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