Members Of Congress, Web Sites Back Officer Who Faces Punishment In Iraq Interrogation Case (West)

European Stars and Stripes via Early Bird ^ | November 28, 2003 | Lisa Burgess

[Ispy4u]

Yet another article about LTC West.

Seems to me there is more emotion than truth driving the petitions.

I don't see how he can remain in the military without a total policy change regarding treatment of POWs and detainees.

[Ispy4u]

pinging

[GatekeeperBookman]

If you are correct, he petions for an immediate policy change is in order. He has done what any sane man would do & the policy is wrong-if we are willing to expose our troops to such acts. It may entail flushing the Geneva Conventions & we may be forced to rely upon fear of retaliation to protect out troops when they are captured. We would need to demonstrate that policy. I think it may be a proper path-but i am only a common citizen with no legal experience-not to mention international law.

"The War does indeed have many facets; http://aztlan.net/ Look at your enemy."

[TalBlack]

Mona Charen asked 'what do you want, a Jessica Lynch military or an LTC West military?'

America today probably wants the former rather than the latter, as it doesn't clash with PC. PC is important. So far it is worth the lives of the number cops and service members and public killed since its implimentation.

[katya8]

West should receive a medal of honor.

[Ispy4u]

If a policy change went into effect immediately would that change the fact that LTC West still violated UCMJ? Would that make it ok?

[Ispy4u]

The charges against LTC West do not stem from what America wants, it centers around discipline.

Any breach of the UCMJ stems from disciplinary shortcomings. PC has nothing whatsoever to do with it.

If the rules changed today, and what LTC West did was deemed ok, would he still be guilty of disciplinary shortcomings?

[Ispy4u]

For what? Total disregard for lawful orders?

[GatekeeperBookman]

Only if your son or daughter were under his command-or if you cared a whit for the lives of US troops-in preferrence to savages. Of course, I do not mean to impune you-I realize you merely state the facts & pose the issues.

One minor fact-we are in war for our very existance-we fight to continue to have the privilage of living. I fully expect far worse than 911 AFTER the next November election. We are exposed:

"The War does indeed have many facets; http://aztlan.net/ Look at your enemy."

[Ispy4u]

bump

[archy]

If a policy change went into effect immediately would that change the fact that LTC West still violated UCMJ? Would that make it ok?

If he's called by Senators Inhofe and Warner to testify about Quislings and defeatist REMFs undermining the ability of our combat troops to protect their own lives, and he's given full community immunity from prosecution, I'd expect that would do it.

[archy]

West should receive a medal of honor.

Not so. He deserves the Soldiers Medal.

3-12. Soldier's Medal

a. The Soldier's Medal, section 3750, title 10, United States Code (10 USC 3750) was established by Act of Congress 2 July 1926.

b. The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The same degree of heroism is required as for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

[Ispy4u]

Yep, our guys can't handle a coordinated ambush.

Oh, wait! I just heard the news it's 55 dead Fedayyeen - 5 wounded soldiers.

Oh yeah, West definitely without a doubt, no questions asked, saved lives! Of Iraqi insurgents!

[Quix]

gOOD.

[archy]

Yep, our guys can't handle a coordinated ambush.

Oh, wait! I just heard the news it's 55 dead Fedayyeen - 5 wounded soldiers.

Oh yeah, West definitely without a doubt, no questions asked, saved lives! Of Iraqi insurgents!

And meanwhile, during the month of November, more American troops were killed than in any of the previous months since President Bush declared the direct hostilities concluded, and we entered this occupation/ counterinsurgency phase of the campaign.

And why shouldn't Saddam's terrorists continue their attacks? After all, they have Americans like you making sure that other officers won't be taking effective measures against them, and otherwise giving them aid and comfort.

-archy-/-

[Ispy4u]

And meanwhile, during the month of November, more American troops were killed than in any of the previous months since President Bush declared the direct hostilities concluded, and we entered this occupation/ counterinsurgency phase of the campaign.

I guess your point is we should just give up now since we lost 78 in November? No really Arch, what are you getting at? I guess that we shouldn't have even bothered to fight back against the ambush yesterday, after all because of this LTC West thing our 4th ID guys' morale is obvoiously broken. I posted the info about the ambush because whiners like you said that the morale of 4th ID would be crushed. Well for a crushed morale those guys kicked the livin crap out of the Fedayeen Saddam!

After all, they have Americans like you making sure that other officers won't be taking effective measures against them, and otherwise giving them aid and comfort.

I had almost forgotten why I offered before to give you a short class on the differences between officer and enlisted. Keep talking trash, you whiner!

[verity]

The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.

.

West fails to meet the criteria for the soldier's medal.

[4CJ]

It's a WAR - guns are going off all around. What next, special monitors to measure how far away every shot is? He didn't kill the hostage, didn't beat him, and in doing so saved American lives. Ltc. West should be commended!

[Ispy4u]

War in case you didn't know is where soldiers do their work. In peacetime, it's all training to go to war. Why is it then ok to say the things we have learned, practiced, and preached be forgotten. If we wanted to do that we could just hire mercenaries to do our dirty work.

Either this country want's professional soldiers who follow orders, or we want a military that makes it's own rules and does what ever it wants. The UCMJ is there to prevent the latter from happening.

[Ispy4u]

Oh, I forgot. You are right LTC West didn't beat him. He ordered his subordinates to do that. For which they got NJP and fines.