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Return to Article: Thin line separates aggressive fighting from war crimes

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  There is something of value and truth in both J Abers' comments and the Berserker's. While I know and understand the effect an extended "fight or flight" state of mind can have on judgment and can not blame the soldiers for trying to do their mission under extremely conditions, I also know that each and every incident of collateral damage needs to be addressed and redressed. And while the Rules of Engagement MUST be adhered to; well, to paraphrase the old adage, "defecation occurs."

  Consider the confusion and loss of perception and clarity experienced by veterans returning from that beach front with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Yes, the costs of war are terrible; but think on the increasing number of deployments for those same troops. If they are having difficulty back here, what can we expect by submitting them to the same situation time and again? Numbers of exposures goes far to guarantee an incident's occurrence; ask any insurance company.

  As for legal or illegal conflict: The credit or blame must fall to those higher on the food chain than the grunts and jar heads struggling to survive while deployed. Considering the initial reasons expressed for re-entering an aggressive state with Iraq, subsequent modifications for that justification, the loss of lives on both sides, the burgeoning proof of contractor abuses, the blatant connections between this Administration and those contractors, the fiscal fiasco it resulted in, and the lack of real pursuit of bin Laden; only time will tell if the world and our fellow Americans perceive this conflict as legal, justified, or successful. I'm quite sure opinions will vary.

  But that will mean little to the wounded veterans that must depend on the lessening benefits and crumbing healthcare system to sustain them until they can return to society as healthy employed contributors.

  As for "ill-prepared", I am also intimate with the training of our troops and know the effort that goes into preparing them for their missions; but if anyone doesn't think we could have thought this through just a tad better ... I don't know how to explain that. Well, there are many sources, some blue, some red, some media; but most convincingly that which I've heard from those soldiers who survived with the makeshift supplies, materials, and intelligence they were provided.

  Tip off Posted October 19, 2007 11:18 AM
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  The previous post is just ridiculous. That's right, blame America and give the benefit of the doubt to the enemy. Individual servicemen are being held accountable for their actions when they violate the rules of war. I would like to know how J Albers came to the conclusion that our military members are "ill-prepared." And I'm sure J Albers has intimate knowledge of these indiscriminate attacks on civilians. This person is typical of the anti-Bush crowd--offer sweeping accusations with no back up. "War is terrorism with a bigger budget." That says it all--typical angry left wing fool with the mentality of a 9 year-old.

  Berserker Posted October 16, 2007 5:44 PM
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  Individual service men and women should be held accountable for violating the 'rules' of war, whether it be raping children or executing suspected insurgents. (Both have occurred in Iraq at the hands of US servicemen.) The larger issue, however, is holding accountable the political and military leaders that send ill prepared young men and women into illegal and murky wars.

  They can not hide behind meaningless excuses like 'collateral damage' when they attack civilian areas with heavy artillary, aerial bombardment, or missiles. These war criminals are the 'deciders' who have sown depleted uranium throughout a country. They planned the illegal destruction of the Iraqi public health infrastructure, while saving the oil fields for anticipated future exploitation. If justice meant anything in this country, the 'deciders' would be sent to the Hague to answer to their crimes.

  War IS terrorism with a bigger budget!

  J Albers Posted October 15, 2007 9:39 AM