Testimony describes Iraq rape

The Eagle ^ | August 8, 2006 | RYAN LENZ

[twinself]

If that testimony is confirmed by the court I say - fetch me the noose...

[meandog]

More likely a firing squad than a noose for these turds...I could never call them "soldiers"

[observer5]

"There's nothing I've read that says what to do if your buddies have raped and murdered a family," Watt said.

I know, buddy Watt... a firing squad for you as well!

[chris_ab]

It's hard for me to believe some of this stuff... If I were at war I think I'd be more disciplined - even at the age of 18 or, say 22...

If I knew that at any moment a sniper bullet could rip through my neck I wouldn't be "hitting golf balls" nor raping.

Maybe it's just me...

[RSmithOpt]

If this is the truth, well, it really hurts the Army, the US military and Americans abroad everwhere. However, I seriously doubt if there's ever been a war or will be a war where such exact same atrocities haven't / don't occur on both sides.

Once again, one of the true horrors of war surfaces.

[-=SoylentSquirrel=-]

Hey, I thought they were "hiting golf balls" also. Report omits that.

[Artist]

If this is true, these men need to be executed....very publicly. Death by hanging or firing squad is much kinder than what they did to that poor family.

[twinself]

Poor thing. Nobody ever told him the difference between good and evil. Buddies and booze is all that counts.

[untrained skeptic]

I agree. Watt should have done everything in his power to stop them, even if it meant shooting them himself.

If they want to show leniency in exchange for his testimony, simply lock him up for the rest of his life with no possibility of being released.

[chris_ab]

Possibly from another source, I believe:

"It drives you nuts. You feel like every step you might get blown up. You just hit a point where you're like, 'If I die today, I die.' You're just walking a death walk," Cross told the hearing.

He said soldiers often drank Iraqi whiskey and took painkillers to relieve the stress of not knowing whether the day would be their last. One such drinking session preceded the rape and murders, the hearing was told by another witness on Monday.

What a disgrace... these guys would have been low life thugs on our streets had the military not picked them up. My high ranking friend, in the military, tells me of these punks that they pick up.

[twinself]

If this is the truth, well, it really hurts the Army, the US military and Americans abroad everwhere.

It hurts the whole case of the Coalition. We are there to assist these people and treat them with respect we require for ourselves. If one wants to be a gangster - well, the army is not the best idea.

[twinself]

"It drives you nuts. You feel like every step you might get blown up. You just hit a point where you're like, 'If I die today, I die.' You're just walking a death walk,"

Pathetic. If that is supposed to excuse killing an innocent girl then give me a gun. I'll release this lowlife from that constant suffering and drama.

I've always believed that the army is a school of hard knocks that prints your mind not only with killing reaction schemas but also with some chivalric values that above all allow you to remain a human being. I hope this belief won't get lost in flood of MSM propaganda/media bias bashing I've been observing here on FR.

[chris_ab]

I hear you.

I don't think this guy killed little girls... he is a great example to follow... neither is he collecting hand outs for alcohol on street corners.

Vietnam Veteran Dave Roever:

[twinself]

Exactly. This is what I call a true soldier and a man of honor. Thanks for bringing up his story!

[RSmithOpt]

You need to study history a lot more closer. Research The Rape of Manchuria by the Japanese. It also occurred in the Philippines. Young 14-18 yr old girls had to 'service' Japs in their 'pleasure camps' to the tune of 40-60 men / day.

Then do some reading / personal accounts of what the Russians did to the German women in 1945 before Germany surrendered. Then come talk to me men being disciplined in war.

I agree with you about being more disciplined, however, not ever soldier is of the most sound character. Not to mention, if you ain't never been in combat, then you'll never know what the '1000 yard' stare is about.

Sometimes even the best of men can 'snap' under prolonged stress. Still doesn't forgive the behavior, regardless.

[af_vet_rr]

More likely a firing squad than a noose for these turds...I could never call them "soldiers"

Amen. Not only did these men engage in horrible acts, they've put their fellow soldiers at risk through their behavior - either because they've probably scared Iraqis in the area from trusting American soldiers enough to give them tips and leads, or their actions will be used to stir others, whether Iraqi or not, to take action against Americans.

[af_vet_rr]

However, I seriously doubt if there's ever been a war or will be a war where such exact same atrocities haven't / don't occur on both sides.

Some slip through the cracks and make their way into the military that shouldn't - it happens when you lower standards or somebody above ignores the signs.

What sets us apart from other nations, is that hopefully these men (I hesitate to call them that) will get the equivalent of a blindfold and the chance to say a few last words.

That's one of the things that seperates us from the very dictator we overthrew - what would be seen as normal behavior to he and his thug sons and followers, is abhorrent to the majority of Americans who have served, are serving, and will serve in the future.

[colorado tanker]

I know some bad apples make it into the Army, but this testimony is really sickening. If this is true, they deserve the max.

[af_vet_rr]

I know some bad apples make it into the Army, but this testimony is really sickening. If this is true, they deserve the max.

What I find very interesting, is that in another thread from a while back, about this topic, that some were using the excuses of combat, their buddies' deaths, etc., as a way of making these soldiers "victims" (yes, they were borrowing from the liberal "victim" culture, where you aren't responsible for your actions).

If these pedophiles had raped and killed a 14 year old girl, and her family, in these people's communities, these people would have provided the rope and pointed out a good place to hang them. Because they happened to be wearing uniforms and it happened in another country, some were almost acting like that meant that they were somehow different from a typical American. They weren't coming right out and saying that they thought it was okay, but they were sure pushing it.

[colorado tanker]

I heard that they may try a PTSD defense, which IMHO is no defense at all to murder and rape.

I try very hard not to prejudge, but if this didn't go down the way JAG says, I'd expect the denials to be coming fast and furious right now, and I'm not hearing that.