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It is obvious to me that we've got either outright traitors or committed peaceniks in the Defense Department.

There is something seriously wrong. You are absolutely correct. It has to start at a point no higher than brigade or division and then goes all the way to the top. I'm afraid it's careerism + political correctness = Betrayal level CYOA (cover your own ass.)

Girlene also points out a serious unfairness in regards to these trials. The military has intentionally kept them low key, tried to keep the trials overseas, tried to assign junior lawyers to the accused, has FULLY funded the prosecution beyond belief, and has kept quiet while the soldier families have to pay out of pocket for experienced legal help ($30,000+), airfare for lawyers and family to Baghdad, living expenses for lawyers and family to Baghdad, and has EVEN required the families to sign personal security waivers acknowledging that the military won't assist them with safety while they're in Iraq. I'm appalled at the treatment of the defense provided these families. It is bankrupting them.

Many don't know that freeper bigheadfred is the uncle of one of these accused soldiers, Spec Evan Villa.

FUBAR , that’s as objective as i can get.

Girlene also points out a serious unfairness in regards to these trials. The military has intentionally kept them low key, tried to keep the trials overseas, tried to assign junior lawyers to the accused, has FULLY funded the prosecution beyond belief, and has kept quiet while the soldier families have to pay out of pocket for experienced legal help ($30,000+), airfare for lawyers and family to Baghdad, living expenses for lawyers and family to Baghdad, and has EVEN required the families to sign personal security waivers acknowledging that the military won't assist them with safety while they're in Iraq. I'm appalled at the treatment of the defense provided these families. It is bankrupting them.

It is incomprehensible to me that this is happening. Who is deciding to prosecute these soldiers like this, and why are they doing it? I was thinking that this plea from Army Ranger Sgt. Evan Vela's father should be posted in every recruitment office:

"...We are proud Americans. We fly our country’s flag with pride at our home. We are a hard working, blue-collar family who has always believed that we could take care of our own problems, as well as those of our children. Yet in this instance, our family has exhausted all of our resources. We have mortgaged our home, drained our savings accounts, and gotten as much help from family and friends as possible. We have given our children and our financial security to this war. What lies ahead is beyond the scope of our abilities. We have nothing more to give and desperately need your help."

Then again, is it actually possible that drying up recruitment may actually be the intent of whoever made it into a policy to persecute these soldiers?

Cordially,

As always, Josh White is on the spot to make sure that Sgt Evans is convicted in the press. He doesn't offer any corroborating statements that a "baiting" program even exists.

Something really stinks, and this latest tactic to have the trials out of the country, forcing family and defense to travel to a war zone to support their Marine has raised one explosively large WTF!!! in my mind.

Paypal sent, heading north for a day or two.