Army capt.: Afghan killing suspect has saved lives

Associated Press ^ | March 17, 2012

[Free ThinkerNY]

SEATTLE (AP) -- A former platoon leader for the soldier accused of killing 16 Afghan civilians says the allegations are "100 percent out of character" for the man, whom he described as a "very solid" noncommissioned officer who has saved other soldiers' lives.

Army Capt. Chris Alexander was Robert Bales' platoon leader during a deployment to Iraq.

[Nooseman]

Frustration with rules of engagement

[skeeter]

Ping

[Volunteer]

From what I have read thus far, this appears to be a soldier with PTSD who snapped.

I know the Army has done some work to address these issues, but with multiple deployments, I wonder if we are just asking too much of our soldiers?

[fatnotlazy]

Yes. Why was be sent over for a fourth deployment when he didn’t want to go? I should think he gave more than enough.

Ah, but you know somehow it will be Bush’s fault.

[ZULU]

Rules of engagement, general war-weariness (4th tour of duty), dealing with a vicious and treacherous foe he witnessed TIME AND AGAIN masquerading as one of us and then turning weapons against NATO or American forces.

WE need to get out of Afghanistan and we need to recognize we are in a worldwide war with Islam. WE can’t win THERE while we pander to Islam HERE. Nor can we force these savages to form a nation state in the image we would like.

This act was a fallout of the idiocy of George W. Bush and the current administration - fighting a war without goals against an enemy which is the totality of the people over there.

We need to understand that nation-building is wrong. That the only justification for military intervention anywhere is our immediate or long range interests, and that wars need to be waged quickly, brutally, definitively and be followed by an immediate pullout and no apologies.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Yes either PTSD or he just plain snapped. Multiple deployments plus, he watched his buddy loose a leg the day before.

After 10 years, we are asking an awful lot of our soldiers.

My heart breaks for every one of our guy’s who’s lives will never be the same.

Damn the mooslimbs and their horrific, so called religion.

[katiedidit1]

Staff Sergeant Bales was treated TWICE for anger management before he was sent on his 4th tour. Yes, it is a lot to ask a healthy soldier to do four tours in a war zone let alone a man that had lost part of his foot, been treated for brain injury and was already a hero.
A little mind game was played when they told him he would not go back for the fourth tour but they reversed it and sent him anyway.
I am on the side of Staff Sgt Bales...the doctors should have never given him a green light knowing he had a physical injury and brain trauma.

[rockinqsranch]

Yes!

[Squantos]

The reporters are digging on this NCO’s personal life including his family aka wife and children......

Bastards need to let the UCMJ process work and shut up with endangering his children and wife.

Others have had good things to say about this man on a different FR thread.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2860095/posts

[katiedidit1]

alice, heard his lawyer say that his buddy was mortally wounded the day before...I am with you with the heart break for our demoralized soldiers.

[El Gato]

Curiouser and curiouser. This “affair” is getting.

[Future Snake Eater]

Thanks; hadn’t seen this yet.

[El Gato]

he watched his buddy loose a leg the day before

I wonder if he out after the ones that did that? Maybe the "collateral" damage was the Jihadie's doing. We shall see.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Thanks, the news said the buddy lost a leg. His death now explains why the soldier was pushed over the edge.

Very sad.

[Lacey]

It will be interesting to compare and contrast how this case is handled vs the Ft Hood shootings.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

I AM STILL VERY DOUBTING THAT HE EVEN COMITTED THIS ACT!

1. No history of this behavior.
2. his own writings and praise from others that he had no animosity towards Afghans, quite the contrary.
3. the repeated insistance by Afghans that were there or near there that there were several perps.

I would not be surprised that he was set up, that the Taliban did this and set him up.
Just sayin’..lets wait and see.

Actually I am glad in a way he is in Ft Leavenworth as this may for now be the safest place for him.

[goodnesswins]

needed repeating....It will be interesting to compare and contrast how this case is handled vs the Ft Hood shootings.

[Pat4ever]

Yup! Sure is too bad the reporters won’t do that kind of investigating on the President. Prayers up for this warrior and his family and friends.

[Alas Babylon!]

Thank you Chris! It is a BRAVE thing you're doing.

I am a friend of the family and naturally we are simply devastated but everyone should also keep in mind that all the “facts” circulating in the media are NOT facts, and Bob has not even been accused by anyone, let alone the military. Obviously there will be a thorough investigation and even if some facts “sneak” out do not believe them for Gospel.

The “GI snapped meme” is something the media likes and inherently believes but the bottom line is we do not know the facts. In this case, it may actually be true but do not believe the media without a huge grain of salt.

Please, please continue to pray for the Bales!