Re: I SEE why our guys are getting killed now
Ray, I think what some of us are trying to say is that according to the current "rules of engagement" Lt. Col. West crossed a line. Yes the rules should be changed to accomodate the situation in Irag BUT, a field soldier does not have the right to make that decision, it should be left to those "in the know" to change the rules. Lt. Col. West knew the repercussions of his actions and should accept them no questions asked. If this were a fire fight and the situation did not allow time to think then nothing should be done but merely to react, then by all means, West should do what is needed.<br /><br />However, when soldiers take it upon themselves to act as they see fit during a situation that allows time for thought, then under military law, they have over-stepped their boundries. Lt. Col. West was interrogating a prisoner and this is not done under situtions of duress. Lt. Col. West had to have time to think and as a upper-level officer, he was trained to think. The military MUST follow preordained rules or they can become no better than those we are fighting against. Like it or not, these are the rules our military take an oath to protect.<br /><br />Yes I agree that "those in the know" are making mistakes but I applaud them for handling a situation that is extremely volitile. The last President in my opinion to deal with such an extreme case, was Andrew Johnson following Lincoln's assination at the end of the Civil War.<br /> Both Bush and Johnson are trying to rebuild a nation that does/did not want to be rebuilt. Every other nation prior had one objective following a war and that was to destroy those that fought against them. But, look at how the Germanic tribes were able to help speed the fall of the Roman Empire.<br /><br /> Our society has hopefully progressed beyong the complete annihilation of a group of people. When terms such as Nuke all ragheads are used, it reminds some of the genocidal attempts by Hitlers followers towards the Jews. There are many middle eastereners that fully support the U.S. just as there are many natural born citizens in this country that do not support the U.S.. Call it what you may, political correctness, pacifism, or what ever, all that is being said is that words inflame (just read the above posts) and often words must be chosen carefully.<br /> But remember, before you call individuals cowards, pacifists, or any other names, many of our greatest heroes were individuals that did not want to rush in and kill everything that moved. Audie Murphy, Alvin C York, and Jimmy Doolittle just to name a few. These were men who during BATTLE improvised and overcame and reacted to an indescribable situation, but also realized that at all other times, military law must be followed at all costs.<br /><br />And to flaunt a college degree as if it makes that person better than others, does nothing more than to make others think that perhaps that individual is educated beyond their intelligence. Intelligence, like perfume, should be discovered, not announced.
