Posted on 12/14/2009 7:29:11 PM PST by 444Flyer
Forty members of Congress are calling on the military commander who ordered the court martial of three Navy SEALs over the alleged punching of a terrorist to dismiss the charges.
The letter, circulated by Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), was sent Thursday to Army Major Gen. Charles T. Cleveland, commander of Special Operation Command Central. Gen. Cleveland ordered the prosecution of the three SEALs.
“In our opinion, prosecutorial discretion should have been exercised,” the 40 congressmen said. “Failing that, we respectfully and strongly urge you to exercise your leadership authority, stop the impending court martial and exonerate these men.”
Earlier, 33 House Members had signed a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates asking him to intervene in the case. That letter had been circulated by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.). Military law experts told CNSNews.com, however, that the Defense secretary’s ability to intervene in a court martial could be limited.
U.S. congressmen representing two of the SEALs’ home districts signed the letters. Only Republican members signed the letters.
Rep. Bob Latta, who represents the Ohio's 5th Congressional District that includes Perrysburg, Ohio, signed both of the letters. Perryburg is the hometown of one of the three SEALs, 24-year-old Petty Officer Second Class Mathew McCabe.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
Are you kidding? Even if he did, next week it would be all forgotten on this board. That would be 1 thing in about a million that he needs to do to impress this crowd.
Remember what he said on the Army base about how he couldnt understand how so many military guys watch foxnews on base.
Apparently only Republican members signed the letters...
If they are being railroaded and falsely accused, Courts Martial is the better road to follow.
I have the same assessment.
This Special Ops commander remembers another general that got the blame for what happened at Abu Ghraib prison. He over-reacted. He had Karpinski dancing in his head and took action believing he was covering his butt.
Any punishment on their records is a career stopper.
Obviously, they must have felt that restraining the terrorist required force. Since the accusation was brought up by the terrorist, it might not even be true.
How does Congress stop this? Each congressman of the accused should launch a congressional inquiry. Then they should announce that they will testify on behalf of the accused at court martial.
bkmarking to call/write
did not see Michelle Bauchman(sp)...???? she’s not my rep, but i expected to see her...
....the rats didn't have their pens with them
C = ?
coward
craven
cadaverous
chicken
>Only Republican members signed the letters.
There is zero reason for this to be a partisan issue...but since it now is, the rats should be hammered
with it and the rest of the Republicans must get on board now!
Those filthy, stinking rats are traitors of the worse degree.
Agree.
ANyone not signing this should be tarred and feathered......or worse.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
You don’t have to go to West Point to be a general officer anymore, you just need to know whose a$$ to kiss (see Colin Powell).
I certainly understand the Seals choice when they know they are not guilty. Seems to me that taking the Article 15 would appear to admit guilt.
The actions of this administration is making it clear to me that our military is being forced to make sure they take no prisoners.
No surprise there.
Ive not been following this extremely closely but I think there is an article 32 investigation first to determine if there is enough evidence to go to courts martial. If it is a matter of he said and he said - hard to take that before a judge.
I’m guessing the Navy is really unhappy these guys did not take the wrist slap and then they could cover it up. Now they are in it up to their neck and the water is rising.
A man who is good enough to shed his blood for the country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards. - Theodore Roosevelt
bump!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the link. My Congressman, John Culberson, is on that letter.
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