Officers reportedly not subjects of investigation of Iraqi civilian massac

[hadrons]

only enlisted men being investigated

Yes, the Bush administration is again making the enlisted men the fall guys.
Pentagon investigations into the shooting deaths of Iraqi civilians are focused on about a dozen enlisted Marines and do not target their commanding officers, the lawyer for one of the officers said Tuesday.
Forget about the fact that Rep. Murtha said this past weekend that there was definitely a cover up of this seeming war crime, a cover up that goes far beyond the men involved:
"This investigation should have been over two or three weeks after the incident."...

Murtha, a Marine veteran who six months ago called for the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, added, "There's has to have been a cover-up. ... There's no question about it..."

"There's no question about what happened. ... The problem is: Who covered it up, why did they cover it up and why did it take so long?"
But funny, the DOD apparently isn't interested in investigating anybody above the grade of staff sargeant. After all, in the Bush administration, we don't hold bosses responsible for their mistakes, we simply blame their employees. And preferably the lowest employees on the totem pole.

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2006/05/surprise-officers-reportedly-not.html

[ixion]

1. "Marines follow orders or people die"

Isn't that what they say?

[mike_c]

2. was "anyone above the grade of staff sargeant" there...?

Were they involved in the murders? I don't think that information has been made public yet. First and foremost, the perpetrators should be the "fall guys." At least three officers have been relieved of their commands already-- I presume their careers are either over, or in serious decline. Unless they planned or participated in the crime itself, I don't see them as being directly guilty of anything other than failing to maintain discipline, which should certainly impact their careers, but isn't a criminal offense as far as I know. The cover up is a separate crime, and must be investigated separately. I certainly hope that additional prosecutions result from the cover up, but right now I want to see some justice for the people of Haditha, and that justice starts with the perps, IMO.

[90-percent]

3. justice?

Yes, there should be justice. the Servicemen convicted of murder should serve at least 6 months in jail for every life they took.

-85% Jimmy
:sarcasm:

[987654321]

4. And it makes you wonder...

How the administration and it's followers can keep blaming low morale on those of us against this war is beyond me. The top brass has always covered their own ass first in other investigations of military misconduct, they sent the troops out to fight this vicious war without the proper equipment needed to help them be safe, and the Bushies cut veteran's benefits, and they blame others for the low morale? They have sent a strong message to our troops that our government really doesn't give a damn about them. They have no shame, none at all.