Is that what they call justice?

[The.Menace]

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- A Marine who was sentenced to eight years in military prison in the case of a slain Iraqi civilian was released Friday.

The Iraqi civilian was pulled from his Hamdania home and shot in April 2006. An AK-47 and shovel were placed nearby to make him look like an insurgent planting a bomb, according to the prosecution.

All eight members of the squad were initially charged with murder and kidnapping. Five cut deals with prosecutors in exchange for testimony and received sentences ranging from one to eight years in prison.

I can't believe what I read here... and you wonder why they hate you.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/10/AR2007081000509.html

 

[ARon]

I can understand why they hate those who do things like that, I still don't understand why they hate me. Nor do I understand why "we" hate all of them.

"Lt. Gen. James Mattis, who is overseeing the case, has reduced the sentences of Pennington and others to ensure fair treatment, the Marines said. He has considered the defendants' ages, military experience, rank and involvement in the death."

This part gets at me most. I don't see the point of considering military experience and rank to persuade judgement. How is that "fair treatment."

 

[The.Menace]

Well what I mean with that statment Aron is.... that if someone that kills an iraq and doesn't get any equal punishment than everone gets that kills an american, it doesn't make it appear like justice - it's obvious than an Iraq life is worth almost nothing and while actin this way it's kinda hard 2 get the msg across that those soldiers are fightin for their freedom.

I think the military shouldn't reduce those sentences. period.

 

[EDouble]

outrage

 

[ARon]

They reduce the sentence of anyone if you agree to cooperate.

 

[_carmi]

Well what I mean with that statment Aron is.... that if someone that kills an iraq and doesn't get any equal punishment than everone gets that kills an american, it doesn't make it appear like justice - it's obvious than an Iraq life is worth almost nothing and while actin this way it's kinda hard 2 get the msg across that those soldiers are fightin for their freedom.

I think the military shouldn't reduce those sentences. period.

exactly. i think everybody deserves equal treatment. especially if you want a country to believe in you, don't make them feel like they are shit compared to you. you ain't no messiah geez.

 

[Duke]

It's a war, what do you expect? Hell, at least they're getting court martialed for it. I don't even want to know how often GI's would get away with shooting civilians just for shits and giggles in the Vietnam war. I mean, I agree with your point, but this is nothing new.