USA government should pardon the marines who involve in crime in Iraq?

Don

Why? I served in combat, and felt no compunction to commit a crime. If they are truly guilty of a crime, then they need to serve the sentence. It would not serve as a good example to others if otherwise.

pescado534

I can't condone killing non-combatants, but (being a veteran myself) I can totally understand why and how it happens. A soldier can only stand seeing his comrades killed (and in a guerilla war like Iraq, you can't tell if you're being shot at or bombed by their military or their civilians) before something is going to snap; it's a precursor to PTSD, which a lot of these boys in Iraq are going to be dealing with somewhere down the line. Trust me, it's going to be an epidemic!

pavano_carl

The Military court system should be about justice, not about propaganda.

When you are charged with a crime in wartime in the US you have two things to worry about before you can even think or hope for justice and a fair trial

1) The Anti-war and Anti-American groups/nations who want you convicted based on what you are as opposed to anything you do and will attempt to pressure the Military court to convict you.

2) The US Government which is more then willing to sell you out and sacrifice your life and freedon to show it's critics that it is hard on offenses (real or trrumped up)

Hawaiisweetie

No they should not, when you become a soldier you are taught the code of conduct. You are held to a higher set of standards and regulations and these standards and regulations are drilled into your head all the way though basic and into advance training. The Geneva Conventions are not new, nor should they be taken lightly. Those soldiers who committed crimes such as Rape and Murder of innocent civilians should be court marshaled and left in the brig.

molly

If you are talking about the rape and murder of a 14yr old and her family of Iraq citizens that are getting protection from the dictator Saddam then NO. they should serve their time and not bring disgrace to the many honorable young soldiers doing the right thing.Also the USA military should never of covered up the friendly fire incident it was obviously a tragic accident made worse by the lies that accompany it.

Henry VIII

Crime is crime. Why should the location of the crime matter?
We are a nation of laws. If we want other nations to be like us we have to set the example.

Underground Man

Are you asking if they should pardon the marines?

Which marines for what crimes? I think they should all be prosecuted on a case by case basis. If they're found innocent, then so be it. If guilty, they should be punished. Why should they get a pardon without a fair trial?

In 2 Deep

No. Not only does it not support good order and discipline (the cornerstone of military regulation) to do so, it also sends the message that our President (the CIC) supports criminal behavior on the part of our servicemen. Nothing good can come from that.

We used to be told on port visits that if we do anything stupid which turns out to be illegal, our government would not do a damned thing to help because we've been warned. Sailors have been left in jails all over the world after they've raped, bought/consumed drugs, etc with no chance of pardons to get them out. Why should the Marines be any different?

bill

Patriot07 "they committed no crime", they raped and murdered a 14 year old girl and her family. you are sick

dogpatch USA

Which crimes are you referring to if under orders they should not be held responsible is the traditional view although I think they should all be held for war crimes in the Iraq debacle.
Bush lied to seize power and now they have no recourse?
What an atrocious pity is the ignorance of the ugly
American paranoid in an illegal war . Might still should not make right ever and the unbridled power of our govt is shameless proof the power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely whether pusillanimous or otherwise!

coragryph

Only the President can issue pardons.
And he can only pardon federal crimes.

But there are also guidelines for pardons, which generally state that no pardon should be granted until time (usually 5 years) have gone by since the conviction.

Besides, what specific individuals are you talking about?

This is a war, and war is He**! The politicians need to stay out of the war and let our fine men and women in uniform do their jobs. Yes, they should be pardoned. But I doubt they will be.

Pedestal42

No.
As others have said, there should be consideration for the incredible pressures that soldiers operate under, and the need to make snap-decisions in combat situations that might prove to have been wrong.

But to whitewash *any* behaviour would be wrong morally and disastrous in practice.
Those behaving criminally, by hurting the reputation of the corps to which they belong and stirring up hatred against it, are putting their comrades at increased risk and providing propaganda to the enemy.

verda hb

I agree to a point that they should be pardoned , and this b.s, of 5 years is nothing but b.s.bubkiss you are loco and i have noticed you on other answers and you are consistently loco, do you pride your self in being anti American ?.
on had you been a combat vet your attitude would be far different, I damned sure know that,Iwas there,
Pescado5, I like to hear some one who has some common sense and you hit it and I feel a good person,
after 23 years as a marine 2 trips to Lebanon, I feel I should get retirement from Israel since we have fought their damned wars for them so long while they sit on their arses and laugh at us, as" Ariel Sharon said , we own America", and I damned sure agree,
it sure is disappointing to hear our country men who seem to be against us at ever turn and especially when we need them, I have asked my self many times "am I fighting on the right side? and I am still asking the same question seeing how your damned freedom is what we were fighting for , as many of us will never be free, so I say screw you

winemkr

What crime? Who the hell are you? Are you a judge? Are you a jury? Are you a prosecutor? No?

Then shut the ***** up you worthless maggot.

patriot07

yes, they commited no crime.

Laughing Man Copycat

Well why don't we removed the Marines and Air Drop our Criminals into Iraq. We can give em guns and we would take care of two problems at the same time. We'll save on Prison Space and I bet the CONs will drive out the insurgents.

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