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Official: U.S. soldier opened fire on Afghan civilians

No, Catawba, but I'm sure you'll come up with a very good excuse.

Not that you would be interested, but it is part of the historical record:

"As the Shah's regime, supported by the U.S., became increasingly repressive, riots in 1978 developed into a state of virtual civil war. In early 1979 popular opposition forced the shah to leave the country. Hundreds of the shah's supporters were tried and executed, others fled the country, and the westernization of Iran was reversed. Khomeini, who had returned to Iran in triumph in February 1979, presided over the establishment of an Islamic republic.

On 4 November 1979, after the shah had been allowed entry into the United States for medical care, militant Iranians stormed the US embassy in Teheran, taking 66 Americans hostage. The militants demanded that the shah be turned over to face trial and that billions of dollars he had allegedly took abroad be returned. Thirteen of the hostages were soon released, but another 53 were held until an agreement was negotiated that freed the hostages on 20 January 1981. Unable to persuade Iran to release them, President Carter ordered a military rescue mission, which failed, resulting in the deaths of eight American servicemen when their aircraft collided in the Iranian desert."

Iranian Revolution
 
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Fears Of Afghan Violence Amid Friday Prayers

"It has become something of a common phenomenon throughout the Arab Spring that Friday prayers presage some sort of action by the people.

In Syria, Libya and Egypt those mosque meetings gathered and united people and got them on to the streets in protest against their dictatorial leaders.
The fact is the Friday prayer can be an ignition point throughout the Muslim world; which is why the Afghan government, the international community and the security forces here have been holding their collective breath ahead of this week's prayers.

If the religious leaders of Afghanistan deliver fiery sermons condemning the killings of 16 mainly women and children by an American soldier, there could be chaos.
Security has been beefed up and the Isaf forces are preparing for Taliban attacks and potential demonstrations at the doors of their camps.
The decision by the US to move the alleged killer to Kuwait has not gone down well here. Many Afghans wanted the soldier to be tried in an Afghan court or at the very least in Afghanistan. They had been promised a transparent hearing... and answers.

In Afghanistan they expect justice fast and, here, fast is this week not a few months or, given the American legal system, potentially years.
Collectively, they will think the soldier has been spirited away and there will be a cover-up.

Add to the mix President Hamid Karzai's demands that American forces, and for that matter all Isaf forces, should withdraw from their small operating bases in villages and work out of their main bases; then there is great potential for the whole aftermath of this terrible incident to turn even nastier."

Afghanistan Killings: Friday Prayers May Herald Violence After Civilians Shot | World News | Sky News
 
Actually the democracies in the world are pretty substantially outnumbered at the UN.

Wouldnt it be funny if all those modern dictatorships were once occupied by the modern democracies?
 
I am sure SSgt Bales will end up on death row eventually.

Unfortunately, not quick enough to prevent more US deaths in retaliation from the Afghans.
 
You seem to think there were somehow many better choices available to support. Can you name any?

There are choices for Sgt Bales.

There is a great focus by the US on immunizing our soldiers from other countries judicial systems. Immunization is good to give soldiers the confidence to carry out missions and orders, without fear of ending up in a local jail or Foreign Country's death row.
But the case of Sgt. Bales and the recent Kill Team members, were US Soldiers killing citizens in a foreign country, clearly without orders, and illogically without responsiblity under the host country's laws.

Perhaps the immunization agreements should have exceptions. Perhaps the US should start recognizing when exeptions to immunization are blatantly obviously warranted.

The US President can send Bales back to Afghanistan, and discharge him from the military, and give him a full presidential pardon, conditioned that he be subject to the Afghanisgtan Courts.

There is no jstification for immunity for Bales, or the Kill Team members, but certainly not for Bales.

The US Army should contract with the Taliban for security on US Army bases in Afghanistan. The Taliban are experienced and effective in eliminating Alcohol and drugs from communities. Under the Taliban rule, Poppy production was substantailly reduced. With the invasion of the US, the Opium production has dramatically increased.




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I have no idea who you are speaking about, but I don't know of anyone who thinks he is a "hero". I would hope that most of us think he's a very sick man. He cracked. He has an excuse. Now the islamists who murder hundreds and hundreds of women and children, what is their excuse?

What do you mean he had an "excuse"? The only question that matters is "was he or was he not justified in his actions"?

Sure, he has a "why". Terrorists have a "why" too.
 
The US Army should contract with the Taliban for security on US Army bases in Afghanistan. The Taliban are experienced and effective in eliminating Alcohol and drugs from communities. Under the Taliban rule, Poppy production was substantailly reduced. With the invasion of the US, the Opium production has dramatically increased.

The Taliban are also very experienced and effective at stripping away women's basic human rights and enforcing outrageous backwards ass customs on the population, banning everything from music to toothpaste.
 
The Taliban are also very experienced and effective at stripping away women's basic human rights and enforcing outrageous backwards ass customs on the population, banning everything from music to toothpaste.

Sounds like Santorum would like the Taliban! :)
 
The Taliban are also very experienced and effective at stripping away women's basic human rights and enforcing outrageous backwards ass customs on the population, banning everything from music to toothpaste.

So the best way to advance women's rights within in the Taliban is to conduct a war? There are no alternative methods of enlightenment? No possible other way, than war, to encourage women to peacefully demonstrate, or negotiate, for improved oppportunities?

While the Taliban was in power, in the 1990's, how many delegations from the US went to Afghanistan to request and advocate for improved opportunities for women?

So why shouldn't the US waive immunity for soldiers who commit murder, with no connection to their duties, or orders, or any confusion of robbery or attack?
If requested by the Host country?

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Please point out who wanted to make this guy a hero for murdering women and baies when they slept, okay? We'll both attack whoever said that. You wouldn't lie, would you?

Oh. come on. The right has been rushing to defend and excuse this guy from the first minute. One poster even suggested he receive a discharge and a pension for his actions.
 
I have no idea who you are speaking about, but I don't know of anyone who thinks he is a "hero". I would hope that most of us think he's a very sick man. He cracked. He has an excuse. Now the islamists who murder hundreds and hundreds of women and children, what is their excuse?

Really? An excuse. Exhibit one, Ladies and Gentlemen.
 
I am sure SSgt Bales will end up on death row eventually.

If the comments on this forum are any indication, I'd say that's very doubtful.
 
the thing that drives me nuts about this search for an 'excuse' is what an insult it is to every soldier who faces the hell of war and doesn't go off and murder civilians to relieve the 'stress'.
 
the thing that drives me nuts about this search for an 'excuse' is what an insult it is to every soldier who faces the hell of war and doesn't go off and murder civilians to relieve the 'stress'.

Still unfamiliar with the quote system?

Perhaps rather than an "excuse" people are looking for a reason, probably in order that this sort of tragedy doesn't happen again.
 
I find these incidents mind boggling. I have deployed 4 times to that region since 9-11 three of those in special operations. I have endured the conditions they do and have lost battle buddies. I have yet to go on a rampage or even consider it.

There are armies of chaplains and psychologist to talk to if you are having problems coping, last deployment I even saw little "time out compounds" where soldiers could be sent for some downtime after being in a serious incident.

While I sympathize with these guys and understand the stress of battle and losing buddies, it does not justify these actions.

We have done lots of good in these areas building schools, providing medical care, helping communities get their water, lights, food etc, but it always seems to get drowned out by this kind of stuff.
 
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