[sean327]

Everything you are saying is true, but we screwed the pooch by embedding the media with our combat units, and with that came closer scrutiny. In my humble opinion the media should have been kept out like they were during Desert Storm. This is probably one of the most touchy subjects. Before we deploy we are drilled with Rules of Engagement, Law of Land Warfare, and proper handling of EPW classes. We are also told to watch what we say and do around the media clow who may be with us. Once the allegation is out there is no choice but to do a thorough investigation. The Falujia incident was bullshiite, it should have never gone as far as it did, but once the film went out the genie was out of the bottle, and a good Marine had his life put on hold. It sucked, but he was cleared.

[ProudVet77]

The DoD should have some chutzpah and not let the media decide things. I'm sure Ernie Pyle(sp?) saw a lot that he never reported. I suspect the battalion commander could have chose not to prosecute if he wanted, even though the press had shown it all over.
Even the charges of punching prisoner. I got punched plenty of times during my SERE training. Big deal. Let this SEAL get back to his duty. The negative effect this can have on morale is troubling. We'll be lucky if this SEAL stays with the Navy.

[Americanexpat]

I am not condoning the abuse of prisoners, I would like to have the whole story. What set these guys off, did they have a shootout and this guy was a total ass or what.

I have seen our guys in Iraq go out of their way to take a prisoner, sometimes at the risk of their own lives. I know from experience that in Vietnam if we caught someone setting up a booby trap or planting an anti tank mine we shot them.