You are absolutely right, Chaplain. In the meantime I would ask everyone here to help if they can. I know many have already and that these Marines and their families are appreciative.
Haditha Marines you can do so by going to these sites.
And that is an absolute travesty, in my opinion. Why?
Because the government is responsible for BOTH the prosecution AND the defense. Under the UCMJ, the soldiers are ALSO part of the military and entitled to the preservation of their rights under the constitution.
There is no way that an average American soldier -- much less his entire family -- can stand up to that powerful of an opponent. FORTY-THREE MILLION DOLLARS.
Each of these families has been bankrupted trying to defend themselves against these false charges. We saw in Iskandariyah how the government handles the defense....they assign a newbie jag officer, he waives pre-trial hearings, pleads guilty, and the government cost is ZERO....because they've gotta pay that captain his monthly salary whether he's defending someone or helping troops write their wills.
Every expense of every soldier to defend himself should be covered by the government, and this system must change.
The inequity is an indictment of this system.
You are absolutely right, Chaplain. In the meantime I would ask everyone here to help if they can. I know many have already and that these Marines and their families are appreciative.