Japanese woman killed by American marine.

[WinterHold]

[WinterHold]

[The Grand Nudger]

You do understand that soldiers aren't fairy tale monsters, they're regular people...right, lol?  That's just another fiction we tell boys the world over - mostly about enemy soldiers.

[ReptilianPeon]

The Kurdish people have it way worse than the Egyptians, mind. But, yeah, it doesn't surprise me one bit. The soldiers are just following orders though - and trying to support their family. Maybe some regret it?

[abaris]

A military is in the misery, destruction, and death business.

A military, unless it rebels, is in the business of enforcing whatever the particular government wants it to. That can be good or bad, and most of the times any shade of grey.

This is an isolated incident. But it points to a general perception of US military abroad. They're above the law of the land. The US hasn't signed up for the international court of justice and soldiers, very much like catholic priests, are shipped out at the earliest convenience when some shit happens. You can expect the soldiers to know as much, and, if inclined to not give a shit, to act accordingly.

[Gawdzilla]

Meh, I used to kill people for $247/month. Good money back then, and I could keep all the ears.

[The Grand Nudger]

This is an isolated incident. But it points to a general perception of US military abroad. They're above the law of the land.

A perception that isn't justified, as any joe who's ever been pulled over by the local police can tell you, despite what he may have thought beforehand.   Some -do- seem to think this, btw, which is inexplicable given the amount of times it's drilled into our heads that we have no such protections, that we are not above the law.   I guess some people just aren't law abiders, eh?  In an army of millions, there are bound to be a few of those in there.  Hell, we're just now cycling out the straggling "go to war or go to jail" career soldiers. There may be a few -more- in there than there are elsewhere. I doubt you'd find as many past or future felons in the subset of kindergarten teachers, for example, lol.

The US hasn't signed up for the international court of justice and soldiers, very much like catholic priests, are shipped out at the earliest convenience when some shit happens. You can expect the soldiers to know as much, and, if inclined to not give a shit, to act accordingly.

When the catholic church can or does sentence someone to hard labor in a military prison, or life at gitmo, come back to me with that one.  When the catholic church issues a discharge for a priest which is equivalent to a felony conviction without trial, come back to me with that one.  When the catholic church presumes the guilt of the individuals in their proceedings rather than their innocence, come back to me with that one.

We know not not fuck around with either the locals laws, or even more ominously...our own.

[abaris]

I guess some people just aren't law abiders, eh?  In an army of millions, there are bound to be a few of those in there.  Hell, we're just now cycling out the straggling "go to war or go to jail" career soldiers.

You do realize that I said, it's an isolated incidence in order to not make a blanket statement? You also do realize that I spoke of perception, since there have been quite a few incidents involving GIs where they were shipped out and nothing ever came of persecuting them. It's also the perception of not signing up for the international court that gives the feeling of the US considering themselves, it's individuals and troops above international law.

Right or wrong, but that's how a large proportion of people are viewing these things.

[The Grand Nudger]

I do realize, yes.  Some portion of people perceive soldiers as monsters guarding doors from beasts, as well.   Perception can be amusing that way. In this case it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. If we ship them to stand trial at a military court the locals don't ever see that and their conclusion is that the soldier is above the law. If we leave them where they're at, deferring to the locals who fail to make their case - then we disregard or we may ship the soldier out just to get in front of more potential trouble.....and the locals' conclusion is that the soldier is somehow above the law. If we leave them were they're at and the locals -do- make their case we will still ship them off to serve their time in a military prison and the locals won't see that either, conclusion being that the soldier is above the law.

[LastPoet]

I do realize, yes.  Some portion of people perceive soldiers as monsters guarding doors from beasts, as well.   Perception can be amusing that way.  In this case it's a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario.  If we ship them to stand trial at a military court the locals don't ever see that and their conclusion is that the soldier is above the law.  If we leave them where they're at, deferring to the locals who fail to make their case - then we disregard or we may ship the soldier out just to get in front of more potential trouble.....and the locals' conclusion is that the soldier is somehow above the law.  If we leave them were they're at and the locals -do- make their case we will still ship them off to serve their time in a military prison and the locals won't see that either, conclusion being that the soldier is above the law.

Only did boot camp 8 months as was mandated. There was this female furriel, ( a Portuguese rank, dunno if there is an equivalent, just below sarge) that really was fucking around with us, and not the way we wanted. After being married, I wish I had gone the military life, but then we aren't at war with anyone.