What does it really take to raise a gun to an enemy, or fire missiles on a building KNOWN to an enemy strong hold, or to drop bombs from 10,000 feet up on a facility KNOWN to be supplying an enemy with the means to attack Americans?
And when does that soldier cross the line from defense to unjustified killing? How does the USA prevent demoralization of it's military and it's image in an international theater of courts and human rights?
Is it necessary to make each soldier a diplomat with an education to 'the reason' for war so they don't grapple with their deployment as immoral or unjustified? Do our soldiers need a daily dose of 'resolve' to the 'big picture' for global peace everyday served up with their meals?
U.S. Military Opens Inquiry Into Whether Marines Killed 10 Afghans After Attack on Convoy (click on)
WASHINGTON, March 23 — The United States military has opened a formal investigation into whether marines in eastern Afghanistan killed noncombatants after a suicide bomber detonated his explosive-laden car near their convoy on March 4, Marine officials said Friday.
As many as 10 Afghans were reported killed and dozens wounded after the bombing, in Nangarhar Province.
Army Maj. Gen. Francis H. Kearney III, the commander of Special Operations troops in the Middle East and Central Asia, opened the investigation and ordered the marines involved to remain in Afghanistan until it is complete, a spokesman, Lt. Col. Lou J. Leto, said. Marine officials would not say how many marines were under investigation or had been ordered to stay in Afghanistan.
Pentagon to blame 9 officers in Tillman case: CBS (click on)
Reuters
Friday, March 23, 2007; 10:08 PM
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon's inspector general will blame nine U.S. Army officers, including up to four generals, for missteps after the April 2004 death in Afghanistan by friendly fire of former NFL star Pat Tillman, the "CBS Evening News" reported on Friday.
It said the Pentagon would release its findings on Monday, showing the officers failed to follow regulations and used poor judgment in keeping the truth of the cause of Tillman's death from his family for more than a month.
