Haditha hearing shows leadership mind-set

North County Times ^ | May 13, 2007 | MARK WALKER

[RedRover]

The last paragraph isn't quite right. LCpl. Sharratt's hearing will be on June 11 (after Lt. Col. Chessani). Sgt. Wuterich's hearing is scheduled for July 13.

[montag813]

These charges are a stain on the honor of the military. Thousands of innocent French were killed by Allied GI’s in WWII. Not one of those men were brought up on murder charges, regardless of the circumstances. If anyone should share a cell, it is Donald Rumsfeld and the Joint Chiefs. Their treatment of our fighting men as criminals is a new and disgraceful turn in the history of this nation.

[RedRover]

The San Diego Union-Tribune doesn’t allow posting on Free Republic, but their latest report is a major breakthrough. The media is finally talking about insurgents in Haditha: 8 killed in Haditha called insurgents: If true, it could help 3 accused Marines

[Girlene]

The general said it wasn't until questions were raised in January 2006 by a Time magazine reporter that he had any inkling the killings may have violated the rules of engagement.

Nobody thought an investigation was warranted until a Times reporter tells them they need one. Hmmmm.

But Stone's defense that senior officers, including Huck and the battalion commander at the time, Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani, didn't seem to think any investigation was necessary may be the tipping point for whether the charges against him stand.

Sounds rational to me. Wonder if the Investigating Officer, McCann, will agree with the North County Times?

[RedRover]

When the service filed charges Dec. 21, its written statement referred to the dead only as "24 Iraqi civilians."

Wonder where I've read that before? Think people have been reading some FR threads. ;)

[Girlene]

Wow. According to the article, Capt. Dinsmore, the intelligence officer for the battalion, testified that based on (unmanned aerial vehicle) coverage it was pretty well established there were insurgents in the homes where civilians were killed.

Maj. Dana Hyatt, the liason officer, testifed that four in one of the three houses were insurgents (probably referring to the four killed in the last house).

The eight insurgents, according to Charles Gittins, were identified by human and electronic intelligence.

Capt. Dinsmore also testified that top battalion officers thought the insurgents used the civilians who were killed as human shields for their attack on the U.S. convoy and then fled during the Marines' counterattack.

[RedRover]

[RedRover]

Wow is right. This is major.

Gen. Mattis may decide that the nature of this case require court martials to get everything on the record. None of this is news to him, of course.

[RedRover]

What’s particularly upsetting and alarming is that DoD officials have been leaking to the press ever since Murtha gave his cold-blooded-killers press conference.

And not one word from DoD leadership condemning the leaks.

[Godwin1]

The Marine Corps Commandant and senior Marine Corps brass have been despicable moral cowards throughout this affair, from the beginning an enemy propaganda operation aided by their allies,Time reporter McGirk, Rep. Murtha and the likes of Chris Matthews. The senior officers should have come to their marines’ defense. Instead they threw them to the wolves to please Murtha and the disloyal, treasonous media. Any young person who joins the Marines while the present cowardly leadership remains in place is making a huge mistake. I’m counseling any young person I speak to NOT to join today’s USMC.

[Girlene]

Chessani’s lawyer wants Gen. Casey to testify during his hearing. Wonder how high up Gen. Mattis will let this go.

Does it seem odd to you that 10 days after the Iraqi’s were killed, that the houses had not been cleaned up? And who were the owners of those homes if the occupants were killed? Think the local lawyer, Rsayef, got his cut of that money since he claimed to be related to everyone deemed to be civilian casualties at the time?

[jazusamo]

If you would like to help with the civilian lawyer’s legal fees for the
Haditha Marines you can do so by going to these sites.

Defend Our Marines

Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt

SSgt. Frank Wuterich

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani

Marine Defense Fund

[bonehead4freedom]

This sends the wrong message to both the troops & the enemy it’s time to end the pc nonsense! We didn’t handcuff our men during WWII but we have every war since.When was the last time we won a war ,was it before we worried so much about the enemy’s civilian population?
Time to win they won’t love us let’s just make damn sure they fear us! When’s the last time Germany or Japan was a problem?

[jazusamo]

testified that based on (unmanned aerial vehicle) coverage it was pretty well established there were insurgents in the homes where civilians were killed.

The eight insurgents, according to Charles Gittins, were identified by human and electronic intelligence.

Excellent news! I believe Capt. Dinsmore also testified to that. Even if it doesn't keep the Marines from going to courts-martial, I would think this would be devastating evidence against the prosecution for a military panel to hear in a courts-martial.

I presume reasonable doubt is the standard in the military as it is in civilian trials.

[Chickenhawk Warmonger]

Solis also said that hearing numerous senior officers say they didn’t question the deaths is disturbing.

“That this number of noncombatants can be killed and not raise an eyebrow speaks volumes about our war.”
********
I am so sick of hearing this. What about the number of noncombatants killed by terrorists in Iraq on a daily basis?

Why didn’t anyone of the other media outlets report what Dinsmore testified to? The UAV video testimony completely changes the tone of his testimony and goes a heckuva long way to confirm what we have all believed.

Red - the comments about the men in the white car having weapons goes along with my questions about the photo...

[do the dhue]

bookmark

[hellinahandcart]

review

[Liberty Valance]

Thanks for posting. We pray for these Marines every day.

[4woodenboats]

Well, the DOD & the media have managed to keep a tight lid on this aspect, that would have discredited Murtha & Time in their treasonous tracks.

Everything that has seemed so obvious from the start;

That the response was not only due to an IED, but to the ambush

That there were so many women & children in one of the homes in the ambush zone = human shields

That clearly there must have been terrorists amongst those women and children, as the trigger man had warned them to hold their ears

That there was something very fishy about a car driving up to the site of an IED bombing, during a firefight, and "surrendering" - now it turns out they had weapons.

That there must have been terorists amongst the other "civilians" in the other houses - you don't call in airstrikes just because someone "thought they heard a click from an AK47", which has been the extent of any enemy action presented by the press. Every other reference to the ambush has been carefully plucked out of the story by our treasonous media, even though they clearly know better - they have the whole 10,000 page report!

I don't know which to do 1st, cheer or puke.

[Paperdoll]

In all wars prior to Korea, wars were not micromanaged by Congress, nor by an nonsovereign, or world entity. As Congress was infiltrated by DINOs and RINOs, Congressional edicts strengthened until today Congress is in charge of the war in Iraq. IT IS LONG PAST TIME FOR A GOOD HOUSE CLEANING! No subsequent President can preside effectively with an heavily unAmerican Congress!
From the local to the state to the Federal levels, the litmus test for legislators must be include a pro-American allegiance to ensure the sovereignty and strength of the U.S.A..