The war in Afghanistan is much like what the police deal with in the hood. You know there are criminals there but nobody wants to point them out but readily (This word is unacceptable on Trapperman) about how everybody is treated.

We shouldn't be there until the criminals have forced everybody out or killed them. lol

His primary responsibility is to win and keep his men as safe as possible. That's how I see it.

The rest of the argument is not relevant as I see it. Thanks for sharing your opinions.

I agree that we should not be there if we are not going to kill all the Taliban in afgan and the neighboring countries.

rules and Official Orders, be darned?

Battlefield discretion should be allowed. That's my opinion.

But, I already said that...

as I recall, it was several days later?

not really a battlefield situation.

as I said...I'm not judging the Green Beret.

but if he did wrong (and a court martial will determine that), then it is what it is.

What they need to do is move the desks of those pencil sharpeners in DC and their buts with them to the front line of any conflict they sign the paperwork for. Watch the rules change when they want to get back to their families alive and with no bits missing. This whole thing. " we are at war bit you can't go around hurting people thing " would go out the window in double quick time.

I agree wholeheartedly, Michael.

I thought any day in Afghanistan is a battlefield situation for a US soldier. The enemy could try to kill you any minute, afgan troops could kill you any minute, a bomb could go off any minute.
Now you say the major may have disobeyed orders....can you prove that? Your big on proof....unlees he was given a direct order not to do exactly what he did then it is a combat situation and battlefield discretion should prevail.


You do realize that any day in a war zone is a battlefield situation when your dealing with an ununiformed enemy.

As far as someone in the US planning/bomb making we have law enforcement and a judicial system to deal with that. This situation is completely different. There is absolutely no comparison. If you want to disagree with the way I feel, go ahead.But I am not going to be agreeing with you on this.

As far as the court martial goes even if found not guilty he will be put thru an extremely rough ordeal for just trying to do his job under very difficult circumstances.

Whatever happens to this guy, I thank him from bottom my heart. I hope the best for his family, and he is welcome at my place anytime. His honor remains.

Marty,

there is also a judicial system in place for the military.

he will be given a fair trial.

you seem to think that a soldier's actions should NEVER be questioned. I happen to think they should be given a fairly wide latitude, but there are some lines you don't cross.

Did he cross that line? I don't know.

And neither do YOU!

You have no idea what I think or why I think what I do.

should have destroyed Saudi Arabia on 9/12. the rest of those outhouse pit countries would do everything they could not to invoke U.S. wrath. opium producers in Afghanistan maybe ought to make the list too. at least then it would be possible to believe the war on drugs is real. not just a bunch of cops with their necks stuck out and getting no real government support. war on drugs, war on terror, war on poverty, all just a shell game to suck up tax dollars. who cares who gets hurt so long as the tax dollars keep coming

Opium is the #1 $ maker for the tali's.

Afgan is the #1 exporter of opium/heroin.

When we had troops in s/e asia, s/e asia was the #1 exporter of opium/heroin.

Go figure...…

Here are the facts:
Afghanistan produces 95% of the global supply of raw opium, which is used to source nearly all of the heroin consumed in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. It has seized a sizeable share of the heroin markets in certain areas in Asia, the Pacific, and Canada. The country produces about 375 tons of heroin every year, which is more than the next 2 largest producers combined (Mexico, 26 tons per year, and Myanmar, about 50 tons). Yet it supplies very little of the heroin consumed in the U.S.

you got that right.

but I didn't SAY I know what/why you THINK certain things...

I said you didn't KNOW whether or not he crossed a line...and you DON'T know that.

edit: I re-read my post and I DID give you the benefit of the doubt by saying you seem to think...

so...when can we question a soldier's actions?

When he shoots up his base or drops a bomb on a flight deck.

The army charged him not questioned what he did.

Interesting exchange between Marty and Marlin.

Just so I can better understand perspective, have either one of you served active duty in the military? Mind sharing what, when and where?

I have never been in the military.

I don't believe prior service is needed or relevant concerning having an opinion on military affairs. After all, our country prides itself on civilian control of the military. That being said, if our congress did it's job by debating our 'wars' and coming up with a clear cut goal for being there 17 YEARS after first going, this young Major may have had a better idea on how to deal with situations like this. Perhaps situations of Marines wandering around waiting to get blown up by roadside bombs could've been avoided.