Are there circumstances under which you’d declare an entire house hostile and go in with the intention of just killing everyone inside?

Yes… when the circumstances are that the house is in Iraq.

Campbell says, “Yes, but you never go in with the intention of I’m going to kill every living soul inside.”

To paraphrase Yoda: “That is why you fail.”

My questions: do Moslems have souls? Do Iraqis? Do I care?

If this guy really is as crucial to the case as Newsmax says he is, wouldn’t the prosecution insist that he be given leave to be called at the hearing and cross-examined? Any military lawyers care to enlighten me as to whether videotaped testimony is common or not, especially in a matter as high-profile as this?

I’m not a lawyer, but I am ex-military.

His personal testimony isn’t the important part here, it is the factual information which he documented. Now that the information is known, anyone from the defense could present this same information.

The JAG Hunter also regularly follows JAG/NCIS developments, including for Haditha, it seems.

Lots of allegations of misconduct on the part of NCIS.

That said, I am stil waiting for a Republican with the gumption to, when a Dem says “are you questioning my patriotism?” to answer with “You’re damn right I do!”

If the Haditha Marines are innocent (and I think they are), then the prosecutors should be dismissed from service. Our guys work under difficult rules of engagement as it is. Bad prosecutions only increase the possibility of our guys holding back in situations and incur the risk of American casualties. That we don’t need, and that should be punished.

Phil Byler on April 25, 2007 at 5:30 PM

Problem is here…if they are innocent, who is more guilty or malicious prosecution? Those conducting the prosecution? or the nitwits at Time who accepted an edited video from some Iraqi with an axe to grind? and the limp-wristed bureaucrats who, rather than defend Marines in a combat zone, chose the easy way and accepted the contention the Marines did something wrong?

I also think that Murtha should be forced to resign.

robo on April 25, 2007 at 7:41 PM

…only after publicly groveling on his knees, begging forgiveness from any Marine who ever wore the uniform.

Officer charged in Haditha killings was nominated for medalExcerpt:

By THOMAS WATKINS

The Associated Press

SAN DIEGO

“A Marine officer accused of failing to investigate the slayings of 24 Iraqis in Haditha was recommended for a Bronze Star medal because of his actions on the day of the killings, his attorney said Wednesday.

1st Lt. Andrew A. Grayson, of Springboro, Ohio, was in a team of intelligence operatives that inspected the scene of the Nov. 19, 2005, attack. The killings were carried out by a Marine squad in the aftermath of a roadside bomb explosion that left one Marine dead.

Grayson’s attorney, Joseph Casas, said the medal recommendation was written in February 2006, about the same time government agents were probing the deaths.

Casas said the nomination praised the Marine for learning of two other roadside bombs in Haditha from Iraqis he questioned in the wake of the attacks. He was also cited for obtaining information that led to the capture of two men who detonated the bomb that sparked the violence.”

if these charges are baseless and unfounded,
I only hope that some one with balls will insist on getting an apology to the marines! I also think that Murtha should be forced to resign.

But as far as Murtha goes, he’s a little shit who doesn’t deserve anything he has because of what he does. He’s worse than the “Crazy 88″ professors at Duke who issued their pre-trial condemnations.

And if the prosecution of the Haditha marines does fall apart, then hopefully some very serious books are going to be thrown at some very unscrupulous lawyers and bureaucrats over how these people were treated.

The whole situation just smells of eight kinds of ugly.

Allegations of NCIS Misconduct in Haditha Case: Investigation Demanded

If (and I stress if) what they’re claiming is accurate, I think we have a responsibility to make as big a fuss over this as the Bush Guard memos. They can’t be allowed to do this to our Marines.

Yeah, Newsmax sucks (I once subscribed). But the accused are Marines putting their lives on the line over there, so I am unapologetic in giving every benefit of the doubt (at least as much leeway as, say, a Durham County prosecutor might give an African-American rape accuser right before an election). Also, anyone over there will tell you the local culture is one of habitual lying, and Sunni insurgents have every reason to lie.

If the Haditha Marines are innocent (and I think they are), then the prosecutors should be dismissed from service. Our guys work under difficult rules of engagement as it is. Bad prosecutions only increase the possibility of our guys holding back in situations and incur the risk of American casualties. That we don’t need, and that should be punished.

Phil Byler on April 25, 2007 at 5:30 PM

If this turns out to be a bad prosecution, those responsible should be discharged under less than honorable conditions.

nice summary and good questions. I will look forward to informed answers from military intelligence vets.

Thing is, even if they were guilty, Murtha is still a traitor.

bbz123 on April 25, 2007 at 4:19 PM

Too true.

- The Cat

P.S. Just like with Duke, how do they get their names back.