Weapons of Mass Discussion

Followup: 8 Marines Charged

Earlier we reported a story about US soldiers mistreating Iraqi prisoners during the war. These men are now being prosecuted.

Eight Marine reservists stationed at Camp Pendleton have been charged in connection with the June death of an Iraqi man who was held at a detention facility in Iraq, authorities said.

Two of the men, Maj. Clark A. Paulus and Lance Cpl. Christian Hernandez, face negligent homicide charges, said staff Sgt. Bill Lisbon, a Marine spokesman at Camp Pendleton. Charges against the other six range from assault to dereliction of duty.

Get the rest of the story from the Washington Post.

Matt's Chat

No one is above the law. That includes US Marines. These guys should have known better. If found guilty, they should receive the maximum penalty allowed under law. Our forces have to take the high road in every situation. It increases risk, but in the end it is the right thing to do. We can't have our forces acting like Saddam's troops. That is unacceptable.

Furthermore, training needs to be focused on the importance of behavior befitting the US armed forces. I'm not sure that is something that is currently being handled by the Defense Department in a manner that is producing significant results. A story like this one should never happen involving US forces. Never.

Mark's Remarks

Matt is absolutely right. While I can understand frustration, etc., I cannot and will not excuse the behavior of these men. We, more than any other nation, rightly or wrongly, are held to a higher standard and we must strive for that. We are not just in the revenge business. We are in the business of making sure America is secure and advancing the cause of democracy and freedom around the world. These men did not help our cause in Iraq, or the world. They need to be made an example of, and future training should, as Matt pointed out, indeed make the case for behaving more as men of honor, though it does increase risk. However, that is what the ideals of the Marine Corps, even all the armed forces, are truly about.