I wasn't using it as evidence, exactly....it was more....relatively speaking, maybe.....in that, that type of stuff happens....and American soldiers are usually the ones to get the screwy end of the deal. It has been nearly 10 years since I was on active duty....I honestly don't remember the exacts of how to deal with wounded hostiles....but that key word, "hostiles", should tell you soemthing.....they are hostile, and will try to kill you. In war, my personal opinion, it is kill, or be killed. Especially when you are fighting an enemy that has no honor (really, to "surrender", then fire under the white flag, or to fake death, or booby-trap yourself....or one of your dead soldiers....deep contrast there.....the terrorist are booby-trapping their dead, while marines refuse to leave their even their dead behind).
An interesting note, when I was in basic, one of the drill sgts had told us about the .50 cal, that it was not to be used to fire at humans, but rather, only on equipment.....and this is something that I have always remembered.....he then went on to say, "but that gun he is carrying, that is equipment. That kevlar, his clothes, any gear he may be carrying....that is equipment."
When you are a soldier, and you are in combat, on a battlefield....you either do what you need to do to survive.....or you simply don't survive. I have heard the phrase lately: "Would you rather be judged by twelve, or carried by six?"
That pretty much sums it up for me.....that marine did what he felt needed to be done to insure his safety, as well as the safety of his fellow soldiers. When you have miliseconds to decide what needs to be done....instincts take over. He reverted to what he was trained to do....make war...kill, or be killed. What is actually happening over there, is that American Soldiers are renowned for their generosity and mercy (speaking in general terms here, how they are trained)....and the terrorists are taking advantage of that....but, perhaps not anymore.
I like the idea that i read somewhere, that maybe the US needs to just pull out of the Geneva Conventions, and say that they will uphold their standards of warfare, until the enemy shows no regard to standars either. I mean, really....why should we continue to put ourselves at a constant disadvantage....and ppl saying that the US needs to be held to a "higher" standard....BULL....
Just one question....has Kerry made any comment about the marine? I would be interested in reading or hearing what he has to say about the whole thing.....especially after his War Criminal Campaign after he came back from Vietnam..... To be honest with you, I would hope he would say the man did what needed to be done....I would have a bit more respect for him (but still could NEVER vote for him).
