Witness tells reaction to Haditha deaths (shouted "my men are not murderers")

[Barrett808]

Source: Associated Press

Witness tells reaction to Haditha deaths
By THOMAS WATKINS, Associated Press Writer

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A Marine officer shouted that "my men are not murderers" after learning of allegations that his troops targeted civilians during an assault that left 24 Iraqis dead, a Marine major testified Monday.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani "apologized for his outburst" and said the slayings of men, women and children in the town of Haditha on Nov. 19, 2005, would be reviewed, testified Maj. Samuel Carrasco, operations officer at the time for the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines.

"He had an incredible amount of agitation, frustration," Carrasco said during a preliminary hearing for Capt. Randy W. Stone, a battalion lawyer charged with dereliction of duty for failing to investigate the killings.

The hearing is part of an Article 32 investigation, the military's equivalent to a grand jury proceeding. An investigating officer recommends whether the charges should go to trial.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070514/ap_on_re_us/marines_haditha

[IndianaGreen]

1. "We only followed orders!"

We are being barbarized in Iraq just as the French were in Algeria.

[elocs]

3. Isn't that the battle cry and excuse for all soldiers throughout history?

Why should we expect ours to be any different? If they questioned orders or did not follow them blindly they would not make good soldiers while each side fights with God on its side.

[IndianaGreen]

4. Not true! We were taught the rules of war, and the Geneva Convention

but this at a time when we still had citizen soldiers, and before our country was overcome by rampant militarism and Messianic Commander-in-Chiefs.

[elocs]

5. Soldiers on the ground will do and say what they think they need to do.

There are really no longer any citizen soldiers and they all tend to swallow their reasoning for being in harm's way hook, line, and sinker. After all, their commanders and their president would not lie to them, neither LBJ, Nixon, or Bush.

[saigon68]

6. Murdering thugs

[neuvocat]

2. Translation: my men are murderers.

[skyounkin]

7. Yes,

your men are murderers. It's due to a good part of YOUR inability to lead them properly!! I served in the military and responsibility comes with the officer rank as well as the enlisted. Your men are murderers thanx to you.