Marine Brass Seem Exonerated (And I predict, so will the Enlisted!)

The Washington Times ^ | June 2, 2006 | Rowan Scarborough

[kellynla]

U.S. Marine Corps headquarters in Washington did not learn of the killing of Iraqi civilians by Marines in Haditha until early March, a timeline that appears to exonerate the highest ranks of the Marine Corps from any cover-up or failure to act.

The U.S. military command in Baghdad learned of the civilian killings in February and began two investigations: one criminal and one administrative.

The administrative probe by Army Brig. Gen. Eldon Bargewell is focusing on whether any information was covered up along the Marine Corps chain of command. This is because the 2nd Marine Division issued a press release Nov. 20 saying Iraqi civilians had been killed in Haditha the previous day by an improvised explosive device (IED) and in a firefight with insurgents.

Officials now acknowledge that the statement was inaccurate. Evidence shows the civilians were killed deliberately by Marines' gunfire during sweeps after an IED killed one of their battlemates.

One key question is: Did senior Marine Corps officers hear of the accusations and fail to act between the time of the Nov. 19 incident and February, when a Time magazine reporter brought the charges to the attention of the Baghdad command?

A timeline that the Marines provided yesterday to The Washington Times would appear to exonerate Gen. Michael W. Hagee, the Marine Corps commandant, and his staff.

Col. David Lapan, a Marine Corps headquarters spokesman, said the commandant and his staff were apprised in early March by Marine commanders in Iraq. He said Gen. Hagee subsequently received briefings on the criminal probe and then dedicated a tour of Iraq to telling Marines the importance of ethical conduct and the rules of war.

[El Gato]

Just yesterday someone pinged me that no autopsies were conducted and the military is trying to get the bodies exhumed. I was stunned. How is it that anyone suspects the Marines killed these civilians in cold blood without ballistics reporting? Are we just going on Iraqi reports?

Muslim practice, like Jewish practice is to get the bodies buried within 24 hours if at all possible. I'm sure they will say that exhuming them would be sacrilegious, although it is allowed for "important" purposes. I'm sure that exonerating (or condemning) a few infidels would not be considered "important".

[MizSterious]

Moreover, they haven't even exhumed the bodies yet to perform a forensic exam (despite news claims otherwise). All they have to go on is the word of a doctor with terrorist sympathies, and some oddly changing witness accounts.

[Allegra]

Looks like al Qaeda in Iraq may have adopted the technique of the Palestinians: essentially staging deaths and photographing them in a light to make them look like wanton killing of civilians.

Yes, Al Qaeda has realized that they have a willing, slavering comrade-in-arms in our dear anti-American media.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

"the insurgents were using women and children as human shields. Terraza says the Marines told him they returned fire as they fought for their own survival."

Hence the hint of post-facto "payments" to the bereaved families. The deaths couldn't be helped. But, in true American style, compassion is fungible.

[Coop]

Armydawg is still pouting from this morning. He was going off on President Bush, and making false charges. I called him on it, so now he's apparently going to vent on me. That's fine.

I'd prefer people actually blame the terrorists, Murtha or the media, but whatever floats one's boat.

[jazusamo]

I've seen just the opposite from Coop, who, in case you didn't know, is a Marine.

:-)

[kellynla]

Well as one who "walked point" for the Fifth Marines in Nam in 1969 & 1970; I can guarantee you that these Marines didn't murder anyone. It's not in our DNA.
Now for the "bad guys" to murder innocents,
well we do have overwhelming evidence of their M.O.
So it is more than likely that these people were either killed by crossfire and/or murdered by the "bad guys" before they "bugged out!"

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[gunner03]

Better yet, I'd like to see them tarred and feathered, and run out of town on a rail. Also, why can't we take up a collection to hire a Good defense attorney to represent these men if needed, and employ the same tactics as the Rats. FWIW Semper Fidelis, USMC 54/76

[Coop]

Also, why can't we take up a collection to hire a Good defense attorney to represent these men if needed, and employ the same tactics as the Rats. FWIW Semper Fidelis, USMC 54/76

No reason why we can't, Gunner. But they will have defense attorneys assigned to 'em. You could also donate to Murtha's opponent - Diana Irey. And even sign up on the roll call at vets4irey.com.

A lot of ticked off veterans are starting to pull together and take "aim" (politically) at Jack Murtha. If he can be defeated in November, we'll be sending a powerful message to our troops.

[tumblindice]

Mark Bowden pointed out in his book `Blackhawk Down', and shown in the movie as well, that the Mogadishu civilian moos (non-militia) rushed to firefights, when one would think they'd seek the safety of their homes. Some picked up guns or shielded gunmen, so the Rangers shot them.

Same thing here. The real tragedy was that a Marine died from a IED, but you don't see much mention of that unless it's the MSM trying to use it for propaganda purposes.

[Coop]

What does "chalk 4" mean?

[tumblindice]

Four "chalks", or teams, of Rangers dropped from ropes to secure the four corners of the Olympia hotel while Delta forces went in and took prisoners.

[Coop]

Ahhhh, chalk = team. Never heard of that one. Thanks

[PleaDeal]

That's telling 'em.

[Enchante]

"How is it that anyone suspects the Marines killed these civilians in cold blood without ballistics reporting? Are we just going on Iraqi reports?"

It's even worse than that, apparently -- not only are we not being "allowed" to exhume the bodies for evidence, but the so-called doctor in this middle of this case, the one who apparently signed the death certificates, etc., is a fervent jihad propagandist who is not exactly an impartial professional:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1642075/posts

This case stinks!!

[tumblindice]

I met Sgt. Eversmann a few years ago. Typical Ranger--lean, mean build, about 6'4", modest, sincere, smart guy.

Saw a DVD the other day I'd recommend: `American Soldier', about a 1st Cavalry squad driving around Iraqi countryside looking for trouble on April 12, 2004, the day we lost all those Ohio National Guardsmen to an IUD. Part of the movie is a vignette about how they refused to follow what they considered to be unlawful orders.
Back to the topic, I refuse to believe that US Marines would fail to do the same.
Strange, isn't it--how Democrats like Murtha will give the benefit of every doubt to, say, a POS cop-killer like Mumia, but not to the `rough men--police, soldiers, Marines--who make it safe for them to sleep at night'.

[Coop]

You say "strange," I say "disgusting."

[tumblindice]

corrections:
IUD=IED
strange=treasonous

[Coop]

IUD! ROTFL

[Dialup Llama]

Looks like al Qaeda in Iraq may have adopted the technique of the Palestinians essentially staging deaths and photographing them in a light to make them look like wanton killing of civilians.

May have? They have already used this technique. Remember the raid on the mosque that was used as a military base by terrorists? The terrorists later staged the scene and claimed massacre. But the US already had video of the aftermath which showed that the people killed were terrorists.