Propagandists, Murtha, & someone on this site

[Ron61]

Bernie,

I agree with most of what you posted. The people who have only came close to these situations by sitting in their chairs and watching the biased TV reports don't have any idea of what it is like to walk down a road and wonder if the kid or woman you just passed is going to pick up a gun and start shooting you in the back once you are past. This stuff really started in Korea, and then escalated in Vietnam and there will never be another nice clean war with drawn battle lines and enemy in uniforms. All militaries of all countries carry out things that should not be done. Personally in light of what I saw and what is going on in this world today, I favor the shoot first and then sort it out later policy. You are just as dead if some 10 year old girl blows you up with a grenade as you are if a 30 year old soldier in uniform does so. This is a war, though not one that i care much for and innocent people are going to be killed. Tell me, how many innocents have been killed in Iraq and how do that number compare to the people killed here every day in traffic accidents.

Ron

[VRM]

Bernie,
If someone is found innocent they should be freed with the apologies and the thanks of the court. If they are found guilty they should face whatever penalty is required. They are innocent until proven guilty.

Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt was exonerated.
Marine Sgt. Lawrence Hutchins III was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years.
Cpl. Marshall Magincalda was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and sentenced to time already served.

There are a few others who have been charged with a crime and convicted. The overall percentage is thankfully small, but because of the nature of this situation one single bad action can overcome hundreds of good ones.

Any instance where any Marine (or any other service member) acts dishonourably is not acting in the best interests of our country. Our enemies are looking for ANY instance of our corruption so that they can point to us and tell everyone how bad we are, and that we deserve to die. Because people like you are perfectly happy treating our own transgressions as unimportant you are actually aiding Al Quaida in the battle for hearts and minds. Of course, people that share your attitude of Iraqis are not helping either.

Bernie, you think that we are the good guys simply because we always have been. You think it is OK to put aside what we stand for because of extenuating circumstances. I think we have to continue to earn being the good guys, and you don't do it by allowing things that run counter to Truth, Justice, and our Constitution. Ever.

Steve