US soldiers 'killed Afghan civilians for sport and collected fingers as trophies

[Nemo888]

Just because it has happened in the past does not mean that is should be allowed and anyone that participates in such activities should be punished.

Obviously, but such acts are the cost of doing business in every war.

 

[Tow Tripod]

Nemo888 I suggest that you pay close attention to the class on The Rules of Armed Conflict if you deploy anyplace in the future if you don't and commit any of the above acts you will be in jail for a long time.                          Or I have taken the bait on another poser on this web site!

 

[Journeyman]

I can't think of a war where things like this didn't happen. Either grow a pair and be realistic or stop having them.

Obviously, but such acts are the cost of doing business in every war.

Condoning these acts as "the cost of doing business" is, by far, the most stupid post I've read on this site in quite a while.


Edit to add:  And the suggestion that those who have served, honourably and within the laws of armed conflict, need to "grow a pair" -- by you -- merely adds insult to the stupidity of your injury.

 

[Nemo888]

Find me a war where things like this didn't happen. I never said don't fight the darkness. I have taken moral stances and paid for them. But pretending you can have a nice Hollywood hero story is childish. Adults don't need those myths. The only way not to have war atrocities is not to have wars.

 

[Loachman]

The only way not to have war atrocities is not to have wars.

That does not work.

Think Holocaust without WWII.

 

[medicineman]

Obviously, but such acts are the cost of doing business in every war.

Can we quote you on that when we see you on TV, sitting in a pool of blood with your orange jumpsuit on, and some Jihadist dangling your just removed scrotum or ear or nose in front of the camera for all to see?

MM

 

[Nemo888]

It is sad that such a dehumanizing act as war is necessary, but I think the cost should be understood. The men responsible should be hanged of course. The entire chain of command right down to their recruiters should be examined. To think we could skate through a ten year war without some psychos losing what little humanity they had might be a bit idealistic. Idealism is great and keeps our military human.  Facing off against an amoral enemy will of course make the dark road more appealing for some. It's very scary to turn against your buddies and your chain of command. The medic was brave to do so. It will cost him everything though. He will always be a marked man now. War can break a man's soul. Even if it is necessary. Moral decisions are often costly. Sorry to be so flippant about it. I tried a long time not to look at it. Now I am just trying to be honest with myself. Perhaps I was unrealistic before in my expectations.

 

[the 48th regulator]

It is sad that such a dehumanizing act as war is necessary, but I think the cost should be understood. The men responsible should be hanged of course. The entire chain of command right down to their recruiters should be examined. To think we could skate through a ten year war without some psychos losing what little humanity they had might be a bit idealistic. Idealism is great and keeps our military human.  Facing off against an amoral enemy will of course make the dark road more appealing for some. It's very scary to turn against your buddies and your chain of command. The medic was brave to do so. It will cost him everything though. He will always be a marked man now. War can break a man's soul. Even if it is necessary. Moral decisions are often costly. Sorry to be so flippant about it. I tried a long time not to look at it. Now I am just trying to be honest with myself. Perhaps I was unrealistic before in my expectations.

How melancholy,

You should be writing songs for Leonard Cohen.... :

dileas

tess

 

[Loachman]

The men responsible should be hanged of course.

Now I am getting confused. My original impression was that you were suggesting that atrocities should be accepted and/or ignored. Which is it? Accept/ignore, or punish/discourage?

The entire chain of command right down to their recruiters should be examined.

Why? Because the recruiters' crystal-ball skills were somehow defective on the days when these criminals walked through their doors? What could they possibly have done differently? What should "the entire chain of command" have done differently, pre- or post-murders?

Make some sense, please.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I guess I wasn't far off with my original assessment :

 

[Maxadia]

Obviously, but such acts are the cost of doing business in every war.

Never mind......

 

[Nemo888]

Now I am getting confused. My original impression was that you were suggesting that atrocities should be accepted and/or ignored. Which is it? Accept/ignore, or punish/discourage?

Why? Because the recruiters' crystal-ball skills were somehow defective on the days when these criminals walked through their doors? What could they possibly have done differently? What should "the entire chain of command" have done differently, pre- or post-murders?

Make some sense, please.

The media seemed so surprised something like this could happen. The left was behind this war when it started and I don't think they had realistic expectations. Of course you will punish those caught, and let's admit some won't be. No one has yet succeeded in having an atrocity free war. If I sounded like I didn't care that such atrocities were committed that is an error on my part. I was angry that the media pretended the war would be a purely noble endeavor. It never is and that is the cost of war. We have to live with that and I get angry when the people who originally sent us to war absolve themselves of any responsibility. I find it pretentious.

The US recruiting quotas are notorious. That could easily be improved. Plus I  think we could screen more for psychopathic/sociopathic traits. Many psychopaths do very well in the military and large corporations. Col Russel Williams is a perfect example. Keeping out a few might have made the difference. Once corruption reaches a critical mass it infects an entire unit.  I was too short in my original response and it was easily misunderstood. My apologies.

 

[OldSolduer]

Plus I  think we could screen more for psychopathic/sociopathic traits. Many psychopaths do very well in the military and large corporations. Col Russel Williams is a perfect example.

Just how do you screen out pyschopaths or sociopaths - they often fool the experts.

 

[Nemo888]

There is Hare's Psychopath Checklist. But I think it is crap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare_Psychopathy_Checklist

http://www.arkancide.com/psychopathy.htm

 

[OldSolduer]

There is Hare's Psychopath Checklist. But I think it is crap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hare_Psychopathy_Checklist

Like I said, a true psychopath can fool the experts...in fact they do all the time.

How many criminals have you seen released (serious charges) because he/she is "rehabilitated" only to go out and murder or rape again? Yet the "experts" said he was good to go....

 

[Journeyman]

There is Hare's Psychopath Checklist. But I think it is crap.

Having demonstrated your lack of competence to address military topics here, maybe you should find a PsychNet.ca and amaze them.  :

 

[PMedMoe]

Hell, if they used that list, most of us probably wouldn't have made it through.    >

 

[OldSolduer]

Hell, if they used that list, most of us probably wouldn't have made it through.    >

I'm thinking at least three of us Moe..... LOL

 

[PMedMoe]

I'm thinking at least three of us Moe..... LOL

Oh, I'm thinking way more than that.  :nod:

 

[OldSolduer]

Oh, I'm thinking way more than that.  :nod:

Yes so was I...but to varying degrees..... >