U.S. soldier accused of beating Iraqi prisoners says, `It is war'

SFgate ^ | (11-25) 10:26 PST PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- | DAVID B. CARUSO

[ConservativeMan55]

U.S. soldier accused of beating Iraqi prisoners says, `It is war'

One of four American MPs charged with beating prisoners of war at a detention camp in Iraq said Tuesday: "We were doing our jobs. ... It is war. It is not back home where everybody is safe."

[verity]

You really must be pissed because you are not or never will be in charge!

[ConservativeMan55]

Well...maybe some of these countries need a little radiation to brighten their day.

[r9etb]

Doesn't matter. There's no need to know.

Have you ever heard of DITHF? Just wondering....

[laotzu]

"how foolish your statement was"

You've changed my mind.

Damn these lieing eyes of mine!!

[Steel Wolf]

Just for your knowledge, when they say that 'fellow soldiers testified', this isn't to say that they brought the charges.

The way it works in the military these days is that anyone connected with an event that generates a complaint will be forced to sign a sworn statement regarding what they saw. The Iraqis could have filed the complaint, or an officer who was worried about his career could have done so. The soldier's testimony is simply that they witnessed or had knowledge of the event.

If a soldier saw another punch or kick a prisoner, they have to state that they did, regardess of whether or not it was self defense. I've had to testify about an event that I witnessed, even though I didn't initiate the complaint, and there was no actual wrongdoing. The military is simply trying to cover it's ass, which is SOP when there is any possibility of negative publicity.

[ConservativeMan55]

Is usually used now as an admonition to be suspicious or not so impressed or gullible regarding someone's claims.

AND YOU AREN'T SUSPICIOUS OF THE FILTHY TERRORIST?

[eastforker]

You haven't been around many jail houses here in the states have you.To set an example to other prisoners so they do what they are told is to single one out that doesn't and beat the s%$#@t out of him,after that everyone else falls in line.The same holds true in basic training if one doesn't listen,they are made examples of.Yes it is crude but yes it does work and does get results.

[ladyinred]

One of four American MPs charged with beating prisoners of war at a detention camp in Iraq said Tuesday: "We were doing our jobs. ... It is war. It is not back home where everybody is safe."

This is what so many people seem to have forgotten. This is war, not a social gathering. My God what is wrong in this country?

[ConservativeMan55]

[ConservativeMan55]

Whats wrong with this country?

Whats wrong is that a small minority of "r9etb's" have gained control of the Universities and the Media.

We have to stop them before they seep into everything else.

Its like grape juice. You can get the stain out, but it takes work.

[r9etb]

Sure I'm suspicious of the terrorists.

But if I work hard to extract the full meaning of your subtly nuanced opinions, I am forced to the following conclusion:

You are claiming that the American soldiers who investigated the case, brought the guards up on charges, took testimony, have far more facts on the case than you do; who found against the guards, and demoted/discharged them ...

Well, those American soldiers who ruled against the guards must be pro-Iraqi terrorist-lovers, too.

Is that about it?

[ConservativeMan55]

"You are claiming that the American soldiers who investigated the case, brought the guards up on charges, took testimony, have far more facts on the case than you do; who found against the guards, and demoted/discharged them ..."

I'm not claiming that at all. In fact the article doesn't even mention half of the crap you just posted! Did you make that up or do you have an alternative source you aren't sharing?

[ConservativeMan55]

By the way...saw your picture on your profile page. You are quite an attractive lady in red.

[r9etb]

My God what is wrong in this country?

So now there's something wrong in this country if we think it's wrong for guards to beat prisoners?

Don't forget -- the military did the investigation, questioned the witnesses, and ruled against the guards.

I guess it all boils down to which set of soldiers you want to believe.

[eastforker]

Not quite.A BCD is more of an administration action where an dishonorable discharge is more of a judicial action.Someone correct me if I am wrong but IIRC it takes a general courts martial to assess a DHD.Also many companies like Exxon or Phillips etc. will not hire with anything less than a HD.

[ConservativeMan55]

There is not one single soul. Not one single person who claims that she did not act out of self-defense.

You can't cite that in the article.

The only person who actually describes "anything" that happened is the soldier herself.

No one else says she wasn't acting out of self-defense.

Can you get that through your thick head?

[r9etb]

Shawna Edmondson, a 24-year-old Army reservist, accepted a demotion and a discharge rather than face a court martial, and returned to her hometown in northeastern Pennsylvania last week.

I stand corrected -- she accepted demotion/discharge in lieu of a court martial. However, the facts of investigation, testimony by fellow soldiers, and demotion/discharge are correct as stated.

But I repeat the question: are you telling us that the American soldiers who filed charges, investigated the case, and took testimony -- are they pro-terrorist Iraqi lovers, or not?

[ConservativeMan55]

Ohhhh ok. I see. Thanks.

[ConservativeMan55]

The American Soldiers did not testify that she beat the prisoner!

[r9etb]

Can you get that through your thick head?

Apparently not. The only person claiming self-defense is the one who's got the most to gain from having us believe it. It's not terribly compelling, I'm afraid.

The nasty, pro-Iraqi American military investigators obviously thought otherwise, otherwise she (and the other three -- don't forget them) would never have faced charges in the first place.

Oh, wait -- we're supposed to forget about the Americans who investigated this, aren't we?

Tell you what, C-man: instead of insulting me, why don't you vent your spleen on the soldiers over in Iraq who brought these charges in the first place?