Posted on 08/08/2006 9:36:11 AM PDT by TexKat
He needs to seek help now. Most do not return with symptoms that severe no matter what you read in the press.
Good for you.
You're welcome.
Was that service in a combat zone on the ground as a combat soldier?
I was in the AF. So, technically, the term "combat soldier" doesn't apply.
Having said that, 3 of my assignments were in units that deployed, from time to time, independently of other AF units and were largely responsible for their own security...to include perimeter security and area security (to include convoy security, manning OP's and patrols), as well as the normal resource protection activities common to all personnel in an area of operations.
Yes, I've been shot at. Yes, I've had to deal with IED's (although that term wasn't fashionable when I was in).
Does that make me qualified to comment?
Whether you consider me qualified or not is of no import, though. These men, if they are, in fact, guilty (as their testimony at the Article 32 hearing appears to indicate), have disgraced the uniform and have done (almost) irreparable harm to the strategic objectives that over 2,000 servicemen/women have died trying to accomplish. They have aided and abetted the enemy by handing him a prime, juicy, and factual piece that has already been and will continue to be exploited for the enemy's psychological operations (psyops) campaign, both in the middle east and the psyops campaign currently being waged within the US.
If they're found guilty, they should be strung up by their n*** from an Iraqi light pole. And I really don't care about any silly, socialist, psychobabble dribble that comes out of any of their pieholes. Either they did it or they didn't.
Thanks for the ping...
I am wondering that with Murtha already declaring the the Marines in Haditha are guilty of killing "in cold blood"...and now this testimony...
If the Marines can get a fair trial....
I also feel so bad...reading the above article..just bad.
Bingo. Generally speaking, sandbox duty for the Air Force and the Army and/or Marine on the ground are very different things, including length of deployment and actual job description.
By "in-country", I mean boots on the ground in hostile territory.
After experiencing that, you are free to go around showing everyone how tough you are, that is, if you've a mind to.
Crybaby?
Why don't you go over there? A$$hole
I've never been to the North Pole...but I have an idea that it is cold...
Been there, done that. Mind you, deployed for only 179 days, but I understand that.
By "in-country", I mean boots on the ground in hostile territory.
Does Somalia qualify as 'in country?' Or does it have to be Iraq?
Why don't you go over there? A$$hole
Did my time already. Thanks for playing.
Actually- my comment was not directed toward the guilt or innocence of these soldiers. I can assure you that if they are guilty- NO ONE will be angrier with them than their fellow soldiers.
My comment was in reference to your posting a picture of a baby, crying. You posted that in reply to testimony from a soldier who was describing life in the combat zone of Iraq.
That you dare to call any of the young men who have lived day in and day out for months on end in a combat zone- crybabies- strikes me as remarkable.
It says a good deal more about you, than about the soldier who's testimony you made fun of.
:)
Have you been in combat or do you rely on others to protect your freedom?
And no, I'm not defending or trying to justify any war crimes.
OK, and your point is? (See comments on post #)
How long could you put up with that? If you knew with 100% certainty that the guy would kill you, how long could you remain in a normal state of mind? The man is in a bubble. You cannot hurt him, chase him off, or strike back at him. How do you remain sane? How do you react to the knowledge that the guys buddies are actually pulling the trigger on YOUR buddies every day? Are you honestly saying that it wouldn't affect you?
Actually, no I won't say it wouldn't affect me. Being on deployments affects anybody. Being under the threat of terrorism affects anybody. Being at risk affects anybody. But there is a difference between "affecting" me and committing gang rape and murder. Sorry, I don't see that as an excuse.
I have both family and friends in Iraq, and I've had this conversation with them several times. The looks on their faces when they really start describing what it's actually like on the ground is downright creepy.
I can imagine it is. Why don't you ask those family and friends if the stress they've gone through would justify murder and rape? Or perhaps just a little pillaging?
Our budget for this war needs to include a LOT of funds to help some of our soldiers get back to normal after this war ends. Some people deal with stress better than others, but I'm quite sure that a lot of our soldiers are going to come home with serious issues that need to be worked out.
I will agree with you that the servicemen coming back will definitely need to have some assistance. The decompression period is really tough. From my past experience, the highest period of spousal and child abuse from troops in my units was within about six months after return from a deployment. I'm sure this one will even be worse.
Having said that, please keep in mind I AM NOT DENIGRATING ANY SOLIDER OVER THERE. I am denigrating using combat stress as an excuse to justify rape and murder. I do not regret posting the crybaby...because it represents a typical liberal psychobabble trick to try to blame something else as justification for criminal behavior.
Rationalizing the behavior of the (if found guilty) scum that perpetrated this crime devalues the professionalism of the other 139,996 troops that are serving their country honorably. Allowing these (if found guilty) scum to use some psychobabble excuse to justify their (if found guilty) criminal behavior sends a message to the rest of the troops that they don't really need to be as professional as they have been...because they won't be held to account.
I remember standing on a corner, in Lynn, Mass, with a bunch of my pals in 1968, all recent Discharges from the Army and Marines, mostly Infantry. A car back fired, everyone grabbed some dirt, it takes a while to readjust.
As the mother of a soldier who served in Iraq, I find your post to be extremely offensive.
Well, I suggest you it the "Zot" button then.
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