I did not know that the man was unarmed and harmless. Also I am not sure how much time you spend to assess their condition. A second is too long if it gets you killed. A soldier is in a situation where he often has to make split-second live or die decisions. Training and experience reduce errors, but they still occur.
I don't think a soldier should be punished for what he judged to be an act of mercy.
I'm nor sure about the circumstances in the Pantano case, but again I don't think a wartime soldier should be prosecuted for killing the enemy.
There are too many rules of engagement which end up putting our troops at unnecessary risk. We send soldiers to kill the enemy. At the end of the day it's how you tell who won and who lost.Yes there are war crimes, but I don't see either Maynulet or Pantano as war criminals.
God bless you. Im sorry but I think youve got this whole thing wrong! You give the impression that these "soldiers" are hodge podge minute men. WRONG! They are professionals, highly skilled and trained to do this thing that they have been called to do! Why do you not hear more of these kinds of things? Because it doesnt happen!
I don't think a soldier should be punished for what he judged to be an act of mercy.
This may be what he thought but HE WAS WRONG! What makes it worse and why these two WILL get the book thrown at them, is that they are OFFICERS and example professionals for the rest of us to emulate.
You cant just sit on the porch with a flag draped around you saying, "Kill every Got Damn one of em'", because thats not how we fight....its not how we want to fight. Its not American.