US Soldier guilty of war crimes in Iraq

[UnitedStatesOfAmerica-]

A US jury has declared a US army veteran guilty of war crimes in Iraq. The former private now faces the American death penalty which involves either the electric chair or lethal injection of toxic chemicals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8039257.stm

Good day for justice?

[JuNii]

Dunno if it is a good day for Justice. I just hope whatever punishment he's given shows that we don't take kindly to such things that besmurch our honor and integrity.

[Verdigroth]

I have to say Good Day for Justice

[Fjordinavia]

A very good day for Justice.

Now, if only the criminal liars, thieves, and torturers responsible for the invasion of Iraq in the first place could also go on trial, then it would be a great day for Justice.

[DogDoo 7]

Why wasn't he being tried under the Uniform Code of Military Justice?

[UnitedStatesOfAmerica-]

Why wasn't he being tried under the Uniform Code of Military Justice?

UCMJ only applies to current members of the military. If you committ a crime but you get out before they find out about it, you can't be subjected to military law anymore. They have to catch while you are still in Uniform. Once you are out, it's up to the civilian courts to try you.

[Neesika]

Except he's not been found guilty of war crimes, he's been found guilty of rape and murder.

While I don't support capital punishment, I am glad that he has been successfully prosecuted for this.

[Milks Empire]

Capital punishment isn't the right way to do it, but if he's guilty, them's the breaks. Shoulda thought of that before he did what he did.

[Velkya]

That really sucks.

For the guy, anyways. Oh well. That'll teach you to rape and murder.

[Daistallia 2104]

It isn;t justice when this guy gets the screw and the command responsibility war criminals walk. I'll call it justice when George W. Bush, Donald Rumsfeld, Alberto Gonzales, John Yoo, George Tenet, and that whole nest of vipers are in the dock as well as the foot soldiers. The "Yamashita Standard" was good enough when the US applied it to WW II war criminals. Let's see it applied to US high level war criminals!

[Yootopia]

A US jury has declared a US army veteran guilty of war crimes in Iraq. The former private now faces the American death penalty which involves either the electric chair or lethal injection of toxic chemicals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8039257.stm

Good day for justice?

Get some people higher up the ranks than a private and maybe.

[Marrakech II]

A US jury has declared a US army veteran guilty of war crimes in Iraq. The former private now faces the American death penalty which involves either the electric chair or lethal injection of toxic chemicals.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8039257.stm

Good day for justice?

Get some people higher up the ranks than a private and maybe.

You know that is not going to happen. In my opinion lethal injection is to kind. I say raped and then shot would be a fitting punishment.

[Skallvia]

Yeah, it is, although, I would say he should get life rather than the Death Penalty, after posting on NSG for so long, I find the penalty intolerable...

Also, I dont see why we cant get the CIA guys when we can get our Army guys, makes no sense, both should have justice served..

[Marrakech II]

Yeah, it is, although, I would say he should get life rather than the Death Penalty, after posting on NSG for so long, I find the penalty intolerable...

Also, I dont see why we cant get the CIA guys when we can get our Army guys, makes no sense, both should have justice served..

So you are ok with keeping someone alive that has a high disregard for others peoples lives and takes them for some type of sick satisfaction? We kill rabid animals. It should be the same for people.


As for the CIA guys being immune to damn near any prosecution I think it is hypocritical too. But remember it's all done under the umbrella of "national security".

[Daistallia 2104]

Get some people higher up the ranks than a private and maybe.

Indeed.

[The Class A Cows]

I don't really think the whole "killing people" thing is that great especially since we could have chucked him in prison but I'd rather that soldiers don't consider themselves magically immune from the rule of law, abroad or at home.

Now if only something will happen to the higher ups. At least those new folks in the government haven't ruled it out yet, but they don't seem keen on it either.

[New Heliopolis]

A very good day for Justice.

Now, if only the criminal liars, thieves, and torturers responsible for the invasion of Iraq in the first place could also go on trial, then it would be a great day for Justice.

Absolutely right.

[Dunczton]

I think the death penalty is a little harsh 30 or 50 ters n prison would be more reasonable.

[Laerod]

Except he's not been found guilty of war crimes, he's been found guilty of rape and murder.

While I don't support capital punishment, I am glad that he has been successfully prosecuted for this.

I'm torn. I deeply oppose the death penalty, but on the other hand, it would send a reconciliatory message to Iraqis, while letting him live would probably be seen as a double standard.
Still against killing him, but that nags on it.

[UnitedStatesOfAmerica-]

I don't really think the whole "killing people" thing is that great especially since we could have chucked him in prison but I'd rather that soldiers don't consider themselves magically immune from the rule of law, abroad or at home.

Now if only something will happen to the higher ups. At least those new folks in the government haven't ruled it out yet, but they don't seem keen on it either.

In places ravaged by war, there is no rule of law. In such cases, it is up to international forces to try and restore the rule of law. Sometimes things get out of hand. But this is the first case of Americans actually committing a war crime. You have to remember that other countries, such as China, Germany, Japan, Russia, Mexico, the UK, and Turkey have committed far worse war crimes and on a more frequent level than America has.
The primary difference is that Americans are just now trying figure out how to handle war criminals. Looks they are opting to try them in US civil courts.

[Greers red wings]

I don't really think the whole "killing people" thing is that great especially since we could have chucked him in prison but I'd rather that soldiers don't consider themselves magically immune from the rule of law, abroad or at home.

Now if only something will happen to the higher ups. At least those new folks in the government haven't ruled it out yet, but they don't seem keen on it either.

In places ravaged by war, there is no rule of law. In such cases, it is up to international forces to try and restore the rule of law. Sometimes things get out of hand. But this is the first case of Americans actually committing a war crime. You have to remember that other countries, such as China, Germany, Japan, Russia, Mexico, the UK, and Turkey have committed far worse war crimes and on a more frequent level than America has.
The primary difference is that Americans are just now trying figure out how to handle war criminals. Looks they are opting to try them in US civil courts.

no my friend we are the only ones who have been caught. i would say all countries have done equal amount. just that others has been brought to light

[Heaven Hieghts]

My what is this world coming to?

I would say its a good day for justice... Its especailly nice on sunny days such as these.

[Molested Sock]

I have a few Dutch friends who have become sceptical about America for not letting Americans go on trial for War crimes at the International Court, namely to protect Americans.

But it is good to see that at least sometimes the American military can own up to their own peoples mistakes and not hunt down everyone elses and claim innocence or being above the law.

[Secruss]

Are we all supporters of the death penalty for crimes of cruelty? Or just if it applies to soldiers?

[The Class A Cows]

I don't really think the whole "killing people" thing is that great especially since we could have chucked him in prison but I'd rather that soldiers don't consider themselves magically immune from the rule of law, abroad or at home.

Now if only something will happen to the higher ups. At least those new folks in the government haven't ruled it out yet, but they don't seem keen on it either.

In places ravaged by war, there is no rule of law. In such cases, it is up to international forces to try and restore the rule of law. Sometimes things get out of hand. But this is the first case of Americans actually committing a war crime. You have to remember that other countries, such as China, Germany, Japan, Russia, Mexico, the UK, and Turkey have committed far worse war crimes and on a more frequent level than America has.
The primary difference is that Americans are just now trying figure out how to handle war criminals. Looks they are opting to try them in US civil courts.

They are agents of the united states and we have shown an initiative in respecting people abroad and protecting them from our malign interests, being among the first to punish our own businessmen for bribing foreigners and investigating foreigners for their cruel or corrupting adventures abroad. We should keep this discipline intact for our soldiers, as well, which means prison time and fines for their misbehavior.

We are a neutral moderator with respect to many nations and have many allies. It is inevitable we will need to intervene in foreign affairs at some point. When we do we should do it with discipline and care. American values can lead by example if we live up to them.

Are we all supporters of the death penalty for crimes of cruelty? Or just if it applies to soldiers?

I am not a supporter of the death penalty. It is something where you can't go "oops, sorry" if you get it wrong. On the other hand, I believe that it is sometimes desirable to kill thugs in the line of action, but since it requires corruptible and self-righteous thugs to kill them in the first place that is morally ambiguous. Police, soldiers, guards and other thugs only have a constructive role in our society to protect us from thugs which are not rule-bound.