Ken King said:
Then you're not following the case and the reason the judge declared a mistrial. It seems her superior (the ringleader of the photo escapade) testified that the photos were staged for training purposes and that England was under orders to pose with the leash and in the other photos.
We could debate all day whether she believed that she was following a lawful order or not but as of this moment she is certainly not guilty. Besides, what harm did she cause to these vermin? And we in no way have done anything like what the Iraqis have done to our personnel and others that happen to get in their way.
War is ugly and at times I would speculate that some of our people have been excessive but you don't see them hanging the charred remains of victims, dancing and singing around them, or decapitating hostages like those we are battling.
Pvt. England is a pawn in the game and by all evidence was simply following orders of those appointed over her.
I do understand why the judge changed her plea. He felt that she may not (or did not) know what she had done was wrong, due to the comment by her superior that she was ordered to take part in this "training excercise."
I was in the military as well, and I know how things work. You are absolutely correct in saying she's a pawn. The military loves a good scapegoat. However, do you really think that she did not realize that what she was doing was wrong? I have a hard time believing that. Maybe she DOES lack common sense. BUt, yes, the young have a propensity for doing dumb things. Lord knows, I did enough of them!
She should not have obeyed that order. I wouldn't have. I would have taken the Captain's Mast and explained myself to them.
I am horrified by what Sadam's/Osama's followers did and are continuing to do. It saddens my heart and I wish those people in Iraq didn't have to suffer like that. They have taken MUCH more of the horror over there than we have. They need us to help them and be a guiding spirit.
Look, I guess what I'm trying to say is that
I just dont' think you should treat people that way. It doesn't matter what they did, no one has a right to treat people like crap. Where does that get you?
I do understand what you are saying, and I agree with alot of it. And I'm not saying she should go to prison for life, or be executed, certainly not! But she should be made to understand that she is responsible for her actions. I'm thinking probation for a few years, dishonorable discharge. She certainly shouldn't get off scott free!
I'm sorry if my opinion is not the popular one, but you know the old saying, "Opinions are like a--holes, everyone has one."