Accused GI Clueless: Takes no Responsibility
From cBS News[emphasis is ours]
Army Pfc. Lynndie England, seen worldwide in photographs that show her smiling and pointing at naked Iraqi prisoners, said she was ordered to pose for the photos, and felt "kind of weird" in doing so.
"I was instructed by persons in higher rank to stand there and hold this leash and look at the camera," she said.
"To all of us who have been charged, we all agree that we don't feel like we were doing things that we weren't supposed to, because we were told to do them. We think everything was justified, because we were instructed to do this and to do that," England said.
Matt's Chat
This woman needs to watch A Few Good Men and take the lesson that Harold had to learn. It is the responsibility of the American soldier to defend those who are unable to defend themselves. Soldiers are trained, I believe, to distinguish between a legal and an illegal order. This was clearly an illegal order if I ever heard one.
Time to order up a ClueHowitzertm strike.
Mark's Remarks
I am appalled by the comments of this woman. First, she engaged in improper conduct in Iraq by having sex with a fellow soldier. (she is pregnant by another of the accused) Secondly, note how she uses the same excuse used by war criminals at Nuremberg: I was just following orders. Sorry, lady, that does not wash. One of the first things the military does, even before they give you the haircut and even before they give you the uniform, they instruct you on YOUR RIGHT to refuse an immoral or illegal order. You have the right to refuse to perform an order if you think it is immoral or illegal, and you are entitled to an investigation following any action. So, Ms. England, this whole "following orders" defense is nothing more than garbage. You engaged in immoral behavior, were idiotic in participating and being photographed, and you have been caught. Now you seek to use a defense that was debunked at Nuremberg. Sorry. Maybe you should learn that YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS!!!!! It is your responsibility to uphold your morality, and to refuse to obey an immoral order. The military encourages that, and emphasizes that in their discussions on immoral orders. I know, because I consulted with recruiters, soldiers and former family members who served before writing this story.
Ms. England, own up to your abominable behavior, and take responsibility for your own actions. I hope you and your fellow idiots are taken to account to the fullest extent of the law. You have no idea what your IRRESPONSIBILITY AND FAILURE OF DUTY have done. You have put so many lives at risk, and damaged our efforts. For that, you must pay dearly, as should the rest of your co-idiots in this plot.
