Death by Rules of Engagement

Diana West ^ | April 3, 2008 | Diana West

[bigheadfred]

http://www.freeevanvela.com/

[bigheadfred]

http://www.freeevanvela.com/

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/03/30/2008-03-30_american_sniper_hung_out_to_dry.html

We still need the help of All Americans with letters of Clemency and with funding for an appeal. Go to http://www.freeevanvela.com/ for more information on how to help.

[Lancey Howard]

Thanks for the ping!

[bigheadfred]

Here is a link to the original Diana West article.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/DianaWest/2007/08/17/death_by_rules_of_engagement

[lilycicero]

We’re over here Ranger.

[freema]

BUMP AND A PING!

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

Back in the 1980s, in an army ethics class, the conclusion was reached that

“Soldiers do what they have to do in wartime. But they should know ahead of time that they will be judged, not at the front by other warriors, but in the rear by those who neither understand nor sympathize with their situation, who have never used a rifle in battle, and who seek not military justice, the upholding of order and discipline; but to assuage politicians that the ugliness of war can be expunged in court, and that all will be forgiven except the designated scapegoat, chosen to bear the sins, real and imagined, of the conflict. Once he is, or they are, punished, then all is forgiven and can be forgotten.”

[Girlene]

"Look at me right now in my story," Mr. Luttrell writes. "Helpless, tortured, shot, blown up, my best buddies all dead, and all because we were afraid of the liberals back home, afraid to do what was necessary to save our own lives. Afraid of American civilian lawyers. I have only one piece of advice for what it's worth: If you don't want to get into a war where things go wrong, where the wrong people sometimes get killed, where innocent people sometimes have to die, then stay the hell out of it in the first place."

I truly think the majority of Americans have what it takes to stand behind these comments. It takes some leadership from the military wing to lead and give Americans the reasons to do this.

[Alberta's Child]

If you don't want to get into a war where things go wrong, where the wrong people sometimes get killed, where innocent people sometimes have to die, then stay the hell out of it in the first place.

This is one of the major reasons why I opposed the invasion of Iraq in the first place. As far as I'm concerned, a government that sends soldiers into combat and then prosecutes them under these circumstances can't possibly keep a straight face when it tells me that there is any urgency at all involved in the military campaign in the first place.

[bigheadfred]

I truly think the majority of Americans have what it takes to stand behind these comments.

Too bad the majority of Americans aren't running this country. Too bad that same majority can't kick in a buck or two to defend the defenders of this country. To stop the @$#$#!$# prosecutions of our Military men would save millions. And then I wouldn't have to ask. Instead, I could be reading the story on fossilized feces found in Oregon. The stories about the fresh stuff leave me...

[RedRover]

[Girlene]

It takes the military leadership, Pentagon, etc. to stand up for these guys. Accused military have no official spokesperson once they have been accused. It’s a very bad system that most people don’t realize exists. We as a country need to modify the UCMJ and the way our accused military is treated.

[jazusamo]

BUMP for Sgt Vela!

[Gene Eric]

>> Accused military have no official spokesperson once they have been accused.

The impression I get is abandonment. My prayers continue for the brave men and women that defend our freedom. They must know and appreciate freedom more so than any other on the face of the Earth. God bless them all.

[Girlene]

Agree with your statements, Gene Eric. God bless them all.

[Girlene]

I can’t imagine your frustration, bigheadfred.

By the way, I had no idea their was a story on fossilized feces found in Oregon. Do tell. :-)

[bigheadfred]

Accused military have no official spokesperson once they have been accused

I think John Murtha applied for that job.

We as a country need to modify the UCMJ and the way our accused military is treated.

How about we promote Sergeants and demote Generals? And send those demented, demoted, demagogues to the worstest hardship posts on the planet, or the front lines, or the soup lines. Hoist the retards by their petards. Or to a post at the roast where they burn the most. (Just send them straight to He!!)

[bigheadfred]

“By the way, I had no idea their was a story on fossilized feces found in Oregon. Do tell. :-)”

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1995951/posts

[Girlene]

LOL. While all those are interesting suggestions, I’m sure there are other ways to attack the problem. I know very little about how the military justice system works except for what I’ve seen in the last two years. It seems nobody in leadership positions are permitted to stand up for an individual once they’ve been accused.

Unfortunately that code of silence does more to damage the accused versus helping them. Americans are used to civilian cases where a PR person comes out and tries to limit the damage of the claims. The silence from the military justice system is deafening. Media types are allowed to play with the facts and present their own “case” without any rebuttal. It is a sham that needs changed. Here’s a crazy idea. Their should be an official spokesperson, an advocate if you will, for each accused service person who can quickly respond to media inquiries and present their client in the best possible light.

The times have changed. We have the internet. We have global media sources. The enemy is using these charges in their own propaganda campaigns. The military justice system needs to change with the times.

Thoughts?

[Republic of Texas]

I need to go throw up.