Posted on 12/05/2009 3:05:02 PM PST by STARWISE
A third-phase U.S. Navy student in Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training fires his rifle down range during a night live-fire exercise on San Clemente Island, Calif., Dec. 3, 2009. The third phase of the training focuses on land warfare and includes training in pistol, rifle, demolitions and tactical movement. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Blake R. Midnight.
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"What kind of a message are we sending to our troops in the field when they do their duty, risk their lives, capture a terrorist... one of the top ten terrorists - and we're going to court martial them?"
Rep Dan Burton (R-In) asks Admiral Mullen a somewhat off-topic question during the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on Afghanistan Strategy last Wednesday:
And that's not the end of it. The AP reports "Lawmakers are seeking a reprieve for three Navy SEALs facing court-martial because one allegedly punched a suspect after arresting him for an ambush killing of U.S. contractors in Iraq."
The full text of the letter from Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif) to Secretary Gates is here. It concludes:
It appears from all accounts that these SEALs are exceptional sailors, demonstrated by the fact that each had recently been advanced in rank. They captured a terrorist who had planned an attack that not only killed Americans but also maimed and mutilated their bodies.
We believe that prosecution of these sailors for such an apparently limited action will have a negative impact on others in the military who risk their lives in dangerous, often ambiguous situation. Again, we strongly believe that these court-martial proceedings are not warranted and would urge that you review this matter.
The admiral might have been caught off guard by Burton's question, and he has to be extremely careful how he phrases an answer - undue command influence is an issue here.
(This kept senior leadership mostly quiet beyond vague statements while the Abu Ghraib court martial process was ongoing, too.)
But I think "there's more to the story than has been reported so far" would have been a fair response (assuming there is) and I only heard a hint of that here. I agree completely with the admiral on the point of faith in subordinates to do the right thing, but there's a difference between micro-managing and awareness, and that response sounds like one from somebody on the wrong side of that line.
I agree with what little the admiral said, I just wish he'd said a little more, because I agree with this quote from Rep Burton, too:
I think if the Germans in World War Two had killed and mutilated American troops and hung them from a bridge, and somebody busted them in the mouth when they captured them they wouldn't have been court-martialed.
Support The SEALs: Drop the Unfair and Outrageous Charges NOW!
Bump
I”d buy them a beer and tell them how much I appreciate what they’re doing. If they were positive on this guys identity it’s a pity he’s still alive to whine, but I guess they thought he might have some intelligence value.
In fact, their “Court Martial” will be invaluable to smoke out who Americas real enemies are, such as the REMF idiots that would file charges against them in the first place.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
It also gives me a new tagline.
Ping.
It goes from rioting to revolution when you lose control of the military.
The mission of the grunt is always the same “To close with and DESTROY the enemy”!
I”d buy them a beer and tell them how much I appreciate what they’re doing.
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Hear, hear !!
We expect so much from our military and yet we give them so little in return. I think the least our military should expect is our respect and support. As a country I am not sure what we expect, we go to war and persecute our warriors. My prayers go out to these SEALS, that they will be found innocent and allowed to continue to do their jobs in protecting all of us. Did one of them punch a terrorist that killed several in such a horrible manner? I have no idea and further more do not care~ send them back to duty and the fool who decided to move against them on this issue needs a new career. I don’t think that person is cut out for the military.
I would rather jail the prosecutor in this case.
Picture of the two SEALS squatting? Thats Marcus on the right.
Yep .. a most amazing hero.
This is what our troops are up against:
“There is one place west of Kandahar City where they (the Taliban) shoot at us every day through a shield of children. They actually stack them up, with 8-year-olds at the front and 15-year-olds at the back.”
The Taliban/Al Qaeda scum are lucky to get off with a fat lip or black eye. They should be shot. End of story! How dare our leadership try our soldiers fighting under the worst circumstances. Our troops deserve medals.
Get involved!
(1) Donate to run the ad
(2) Call Senator, Rep or military
(3) Sign their petition
(4) Go to the Norfolk Rally tomorrow (7th)
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