jackconrad wrote:What he did ,(If after a fair trial he is found guilty), was unconscionable in that it reversed the work done by thousands of US soldiers before him. Not only that but innocents like women and children never need to be killed under any circumstances or we are no better than the Terrorist we say we are fighting. We fight to free them not kill them. They are under the influence of hundreds of years of misguidance and the only way to change that is to get them readjusted. ...
I agree with the above.
How about bring the troops home in time to help re-election? That will have to be coo-ordinated with the pipeline approval for potential maximum benefit...
Afghanistan was a lost cause before we went there. Our intelligence has been faulty. Our soldiers and military are not given the support we need to win and get out. Either bomb the place to oblivion or get out now. Pakistan can then become the new "big problem".
The guy may be under extreme battle stress, and if so may not have been competent (insanity defense- if allowed). But, if he knew what he was doing was wrong, then he should be severely punished. Whether he volunteered to go or could or stay when not required will go against him. If he knew what he was doing was wrong, he should receive the harshest penalty possible for the circumstances. Certainly i have sympathy for his family, but I don't think that will be relevant as to punishment. If he was incompetent but now isn't, a major issue will be safety of others and likelihood of repetition of wrongdoing to others.
Everyone loses.