Haditha and the Murtha Betrayal of the Marines

The Constitution of the United States, Art. III, defines treason against the United States to consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid or comfort. This offence is punished with death. By the same article of the Constitution, no person shall be convicted of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

Los Angles (AFP): Charges against a senior US Marine officer accused of failing to properly investigate the deaths of 24 Iraqi civilians were dismissed Tuesday, a military spokesman confirmed. A total of eight Marines were initially charged in 2006 over the case but prosecutors have struggled to make the allegations stick. So far seven of the accused have either been acquitted or had charges withdrawn before court martial. Chessani’s acquittal on Tuesday leaves just one defendant — Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich — facing prosecution. Wuterich’s trial has been scheduled for later this year.
Wuterich faces multiple charges of voluntary manslaughter for his role in the deaths, which occurred after a deadly roadside bombing that claimed the life of a Marine in Haditha, 260 kilometers west of Baghdad, in 2005.

Washpost: Marines overreacted . . . and killed innocent civilians in cold blood,” said one of those briefed, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), a former Marine who maintains close ties with senior Marine officers despite his opposition to the war.Marines overreacted . . . and killed innocent civilians in cold blood,” said one of those briefed, Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), a former Marine who maintains close ties with senior Marine officers despite his opposition to the war.

The Wall Street Journal carried an interview with former North Vietnamese Colonel Bui Tin, a member of the North Vietnamese general staff. Col Tin was asked, “Was the American anti-war movement important to Hanoi’s victory? “He responded, “It was essential to our strategy… Every day our leadership would listen to world news over the radio at 9:00 AM to follow the growth of the American anti-war movement.

Regardless if one agrees with the war in Iraq, “Bush lied” or “we should have never gone” American men and women are in battle with an enemy that hides in houses and mixes with the locals, perhaps at some point the hatred for Bush must be tempered by reality for the sake the brave Americans who are following orders to fight Islamic terrorists.

What is the least someone can do to support a young American in the midst of a street fight with people who look like common citizens hiding in corners and blowing up fellow soldiers right next to them. Shouldn’t the benefit of the doubt (to believe something good about someone, rather than something bad, when you  have the possibility of doing either.) be at least be the minimum one American can give in support of a young American Soldier put in such a situation? What sort of person would abandon 8 fellow Marines to life in prison over a confusing street battle where the enemy was everywhere and sometimes nowhere.

How is it that so many Americans in Media and in Congress abandoned our troops in the field of battle. It is not their fault that they are in Iraq. Sent to perform the most important duty any American can. Protect those of us who enjoy the freedoms and comforts of America. Is the benefit of the doubt the least a patriotic American who is not in harms way afford one who is?

Whether one agrees or not Congress did vote for the military to be deployed in Iraq. As soon as things became difficult giant egos took over and bad news for the troops became good news for those who wanted power and to make a point. History may show that some Americans in their zeal to tarnish the opposition party indeed gave “aid and comfort” to the enemy. What a disgrace….mpress