So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
Interesting, I don't think this soldier deserves the death penalty for what happened... If there ever was an insanity defense that I would truly believe, its this. I also think this whole case has so many directions it can go, I.e. who's really responsible for this very brutal and unimaginable crime? Were there signs? Was there any cry for help if this soldier was losing it leading up to this? It's just so sad all the way around.
http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/23/justice/afghanistan-legal-hurdles/?hpt=hp_t1 Posted via Mobile Device
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
I agree, seeing the things you see over there can really impact your state of mind and turn you into somebody totally different...My friend was a marine, he was sent home because he lost an eye in one of those roadside car bombings and I'm sure had ptws...he became an alcoholic and died in a car accident shortly after he was discharged...it's sad because I believe something similar is what happened with this soldier I do feel for the civilians that lost their lives, but I don't believe there was any intent or malice in his actions...
The U.S. military is facing a "significant criminal threat" from gangs, including prison and biker gangs, whose members have found their way into the ranks, according to an FBI-led investigation.
Some gang members get into the military to escape the streets, but then end up reconnecting once in, while others target the services specifically for the combat and weapons training
What does this have to do with the soldier who killed 16 people in Afghanistan? Maybe nothing, maybe everything.
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
I don't think gang activity has anything to do with it. This guy has a family, and has endured 4 previous tours without any prior incidents anywhere close to this magnitude.
@greeneyes, a friend of mine.. her ex H.. has PTSD from a tour in Iraq years ago. I often think about the welfare of our military in terms of emotional distress. My first H made a career out of it.. and I am relieved our marriage broke down prior to this war breaking out. I don't think I have it in me to handle that level of stress... But I don't know.. if I had been in love with him, I most likely would have been able to support him. When the Iraq war first broke out, my ex was deployed with one of the first troops over there, he was quoted in an article about the mission after the fact. He's still in, but I haven't spoken directly to him since 2006.
Soldiers don't get the support they need, IMHO. Posted via Mobile Device
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cherry
I don't think gang activity has anything to do with it. This guy has a family, and has endured 4 previous tours without any prior incidents anywhere close to this magnitude.
@greeneyes, a friend of mine.. her ex H.. has PTSD from a tour in Iraq years ago. I often think about the welfare of our military in terms of emotional distress. My first H made a career out of it.. and I am relieved our marriage broke down prior to this war breaking out. I don't think I have it in me to handle that level of stress... But I don't know.. if I had been in love with him, I most likely would have been able to support him. When the Iraq war first broke out, my ex was deployed with one of the first troops over there, he was quoted in an article about the mission after the fact. He's still in, but I haven't spoken directly to him since 2006.
Soldiers don't get the support they need, IMHO. Posted via Mobile Device
I totally agree with that, and they're deployed and redeployed so many times it's truly ridiculous and I don't know how they are expected to not break down at some point...they are seeing death and destruction and wondering if they will live to see tomorrow, every day....And I"m sorry if this offends anyone, but a lot of those people over in those middle eastern countries are f*in CRAZY!!!
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cherry
Interesting, I don't think this soldier deserves the death penalty for what happened... If there ever was an insanity defense that I would truly believe, its this. I also think this whole case has so many directions it can go, I.e. who's really responsible for this very brutal and unimaginable crime? Were there signs? Was there any cry for help if this soldier was losing it leading up to this? It's just so sad all the way around. Military prosecution faces major hurdles in massacre case - CNN.com Posted via Mobile Device
He killed 9 children, most in their sleep, and you say this guy doesn't deserve death penalty?
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
Let's just admit there are different rules in play. I can't recall if I've ever heard locals in Afcrackistan screaming when they slaughter one other. Then, it's just part of the scenery. Which doesn't excuse it it merely puts it in context. It's not as if THEY hold human life particularly dear so all of this is more about how we view ourselves.
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Runs like Dog
Let's just admit there are different rules in play. I can't recall if I've ever heard locals in Afcrackistan screaming when they slaughter one other. Then, it's just part of the scenery. Which doesn't excuse it it merely puts it in context. It's not as if THEY hold human life particularly dear so all of this is more about how we view ourselves.
When was the last time you watched afghani tv in their native language?
edit: Lets assume same event took place in our soil, how different would we react to it?
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Runs like Dog
It's not as if THEY hold human life particularly dear so all of this is more about how we view ourselves.
Unbelievably callous, cruel statement. Did you hear the guy who lost all of his family? He said that he felt as if he lost parts of his own body. Do you really believe that Afghans do not love their children? First the Russians and now us. War has decimated their country. You should be ashamed of your condescending remarks about them.
He killed 9 children, most in their sleep, and you say this guy doesn't deserve death penalty?
It's a hard call for me and I agree with RLD. It's sad, its incomprehensible, its tragic for more than just the loss of precious lives. I do not think enough is done for our US Troops, to protect their emotional heath... And then its really shocking to hear this happened?? I didn't question "why" when I heard about it... I know the "why".. I think society as a whole here anyway can see it. Just like kids here who get bullied ruthlessly, when the commit suicide, or lash back at their bully. It's a part of human nature and I know I can only put up with so much before I snap at someone... Albeit not as severe as what happened to this soldier.
Do I think he deserves the death penalty? I say hands down, no he does not. He was fighting for his country for much of his adult life... It's a hard job, probably one of the hardest... He deserves the mental help, not death.
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cherry
It's a hard call for me and I agree with RLD. It's sad, its incomprehensible, its tragic for more than just the loss of precious lives. I do not think enough is done for our US Troops, to protect their emotional heath... And then its really shocking to hear this happened?? I didn't question "why" when I heard about it... I know the "why".. I think society as a whole here anyway can see it. Just like kids here who get bullied ruthlessly, when the commit suicide, or lash back at their bully. It's a part of human nature and I know I can only put up with so much before I snap at someone... Albeit not as severe as what happened to this soldier.
Do I think he deserves the death penalty? I say hands down, no he does not. He was fighting for his country for much of his adult life... It's a hard job, probably one of the hardest... He deserves the mental help, not death.
Just my opinion. Posted via Mobile Device
Excluding conscripted soldiers, people join the armed forces with their own will and earn income from it. Why should something be done to them if its part of their job? Can't they take care of themselves if they have mental problems or their family/friends? I think the armed forces personnel should go through regular mental checkups to see if they are fit for service or not. But noone and I mean noone should get away with killing 17 civilians, most child and women.
Re: So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place?
You are right, and he won't get away with it. He will have a lifetime of punishment... Once he realizes the magnitude of the situation, which I don't think he fully comprehends right now.
This reminds me some of the andrea yates story. Why someone continues to do something that pushes them to their breaking point, no one really knows. There were plenty of signs with andrea...others even saw it... But no one really helped her in the end... And five lives were lost... Children. She was sentenced to a lifetime of help. Posted via Mobile Device
It's a hard call for me and I agree with RLD. It's sad, its incomprehensible, its tragic for more than just the loss of precious lives. I do not think enough is done for our US Troops, to protect their emotional heath... And then its really shocking to hear this happened?? I didn't question "why" when I heard about it... I know the "why".. I think society as a whole here anyway can see it. Just like kids here who get bullied ruthlessly, when the commit suicide, or lash back at their bully. It's a part of human nature and I know I can only put up with so much before I snap at someone... Albeit not as severe as what happened to this soldier.
Do I think he deserves the death penalty? I say hands down, no he does not. He was fighting for his country for much of his adult life... It's a hard job, probably one of the hardest... He deserves the mental help, not death.
Just my opinion. Posted via Mobile Device
I will never get how US soldiers are fighting for their country on the other side of the world. US attacks afghanistan to kill bin laden and they did. Still fighting for what? Are afghans attaking usa? They attack iraq to kill saddam and they do. Why are solders still fighting? If anything, i think they're fighting to take over other nations and not to protect USA. They probably don't even know why they're there except that they're brainwashed that they're 'protecting' or 'fighting for USA'. And killing sooooooo many innocent civillians all the time especially women and children is not just an 'accident'. I think it's just them obeying the orders from their leaders. Posted via Mobile Device
So the prosecution will have a hard time proving the 16 murders took place? 
I do feel for the civilians that lost their lives, but I don't believe there was any intent or malice in his actions...
