tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16821859.post115004240894327083..comments2024-03-26T16:03:42.608-06:00Comments on Flares into Darkness: Haditha - Participant's Accountambisinistralhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03836786826294202405noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16821859.post-1150069676176430372006-06-11T17:47:00.000-06:002006-06-11T17:47:00.000-06:00Vnjagvet,I also wonder at what rules the new Iraqi...Vnjagvet,<BR/><BR/>I also wonder at what rules the new Iraqi government will propose. Somehow I doubt that they will be as strict as those employed by the US.<BR/><BR/>How can the NCIS investigators properly weigh evidence in this matter? Even with exhumation and examination of the bodies a lack of shrapnel wounds wouldn't be proof of execution (in the event a gunshot was the cause of death).<BR/><BR/>We'll have to wait and see but if the story recounted by the sergeant's attorney is anywhere close to the truth then it is doubtful that 'massacre' has any meaning in this instance.Rick Ballardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11082425215912372067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16821859.post-1150066018439725152006-06-11T16:46:00.000-06:002006-06-11T16:46:00.000-06:00Terrye:Good point.I should have said if any crimin...Terrye:<BR/><BR/>Good point.<BR/><BR/>I should have said if any criminal charges are brought against anyone, they will be tried by cm.<BR/><BR/>If this is still truly under investigation, an Article 32 officer must investigate any offenses contemplated, and make a recommendation to the appropriate commanding general, who is known as the "convening authority".<BR/><BR/>It may be that there will be a recommendation that a court martial not be convened, and that the CG may take that recommendation.<BR/><BR/>There has been no decision made in that regard to my knowledge.vnjagvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15904498408683884983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16821859.post-1150065097707731802006-06-11T16:31:00.000-06:002006-06-11T16:31:00.000-06:00vnjagvet:Are you sure there will be a court martia...vnjagvet:<BR/><BR/>Are you sure there will be a court martial?<BR/><BR/>My understanding is there was no cover up. I am not sure where the mistake came about but the marines on the scene said there had been civilians killed in the fighting, not the bombing. <BR/><BR/>It makes me think of the Rangers in Somalia. If I remember correctly hundreds of civilians were killed in the fighting with what turned out to be AlQaida. The terrorists used the civlians. From what I have read today I would say the same thing may have happened here.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.strata-sphere.com/blog" REL="nofollow"> AJ </A> has quite a bit on this today and the ties the insurgents in the area had with AQ.terryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609746018265953069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16821859.post-1150064662775561932006-06-11T16:24:00.000-06:002006-06-11T16:24:00.000-06:00Thankfully, these soldiers will be tried by court ...Thankfully, these soldiers will be tried by court martial.<BR/><BR/>Thankfully as well, the typical courtmartial member will be relatively impervious to the rush to judgment by the press and such congressmen as Murtha and his acolytes.<BR/><BR/>Rick:<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the Yon reference. His articles are indeed excellent. It will be interesting to see whether the new Iraqi Defense Ministry and the departure of Zarqawi will make the rules of engagement less ambiguous.<BR/><BR/>That was a problem that never did get resolved in VN. There was a constant tension there between the "winning hearts and minds" objective and the "kill the bastards" objective.vnjagvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15904498408683884983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16821859.post-1150056794081187472006-06-11T14:13:00.000-06:002006-06-11T14:13:00.000-06:00I think that terrible things like this happen when...I think that terrible things like this happen when the enemy hides behind and among the civilian population.<BR/><BR/>Haditha was the place where 20 Marines had been killed in a matter of days and where local Shia were being executed by terrorists. <BR/><BR/>To be honest I am surprised more things like this have not happened.terryehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16609746018265953069noreply@blogger.com