Sargeant Blackman

[Deskdiary]

The lunatic on Westminster continues, quite rightly, to be the main topic on the news at the moment, but let's hope for some good news that Sgt Blackman will be released today.

Having seen the recent Panorama documentary about Marine A, and the comments from the men in the field, and the undoubted extreme perssures they were under, makes me even more surprised at the now quashed murder conviction.

[waterboatman]

Sgt. Blackman should be released immediately, his conviction quashed and he should get the care and treatment he deserves. He, along with so many of our brave lads and lasses are treated badly by people who have no idea about the stresses those lads and lasses have gone through. Those people who vilify our lads and lasses should shut up until they have been in that position before they speak. They would think again!

[ummmm]

I'm divided on this. What he did was wrong but the man he killed would have happily killed him.

[andy-hughes]

They are not 'lads and lasses', they are professional soldiers who signed up to train to fight in conflicts.

I have said before that I cannot understand what that sort of emotional pressure is like, or how anyone would react, but to behave as though soldiers do not make a career choice and are not fully aware that they will be required to fire the guns they are given and trained to use, is disrespectful to all of them,

It is beholden on them to observe regulations to prevent them from becoming immoral murderers like the enemy they chose to make a career fighting.

[Baldric]

Well, that's cleared that up then!

[waterboatman]

Andy, until you've been in that situation, as I have, you cannot voice an opinion. You just show your ignorance and arrogance.

[Peter Pedant]

I am not divided on this
what he did was wrong
at the time he said he had broken the geneva convention so he knew it was wrong
and worst of all he left his viddie on - sorry s/o else left the viddie on and KEPT it !

Sgt Blackman has been lucky - ( lots of people saying - now come on! and rooting ffor early release )

[Peter Pedant]

// Well, that's cleared that up then!//

oh my god out come the c/p ers !

if you read the judgement ( yes I have but I am the only one it seems) he was tried by his peers - court martial
where the jury ( whatever it is called - committee of assessment or wotteva ) was military
so they knew exactly what he had been thro

and no you are not allowed to go up to people and shoot them

[Peter Pedant]

here is another one ( viddie of soldier shooting someone)
http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/video-shows-assassination-palestinian-man-israeli-human-rights-group-427067084

[ummmm]

I'm divided Peter because I know the fight instinct that kicks in when attacked.

He didn't kill an innocent person. He shot someone who was willing to kill him.

[Peter Pedant]

// He didn't kill an innocent person. He shot someone who was willing to kill him.//

Martin McG was willing to kill the Queen of England ( she who lives in Buckingham Palace just in case you wonder if it is the same as the Queen of the United Kingdom ) and that doesmt mean that when they met she could grab an AK 57 and go splugga splugga splugga!
and then call out - one less for dinner Jeeves ( yes marm!)

[sozza that last bit was meant to illustrate the idea that just because you want to kill someone doesnt make it right when you do]

(leaving him injured would have caused more probs for the taliban)

[anneasquith]

He is guilty, being released early , I do hope he is not treated as a hero .

[Baldric]

Yet another thread ruined by arrogant nonsense.

[Islay]

Unfortunately annea he will be!!

[ummmm]

Peter - Blackman wasn't a terrorist!!!

[andy-hughes]

waterboatman - //Andy, until you've been in that situation, as I have, you cannot voice an opinion. You just show your ignorance and arrogance. //

You use your freedom of speech to express an opinion.

So do I.

You don't have to like what I say, or agree with it, but I am entitled to express my view, and I have done so.

And I have stated times without number that it is not necessary to experience anything in order to have a view on it, and to be willing and able to express it - as I have done.

[andy-hughes]

Baldric - //Yet another thread ruined by arrogant nonsense. //

If threads are only ever not 'ruined' by people saying things that you agree with, then you are on the wrong site.

[naomi24]

I hope he's released. He's done the world a favour.

[Sqad]

A-H

"And I have stated times without number that it is not necessary to experience anything in order to have a view on it, and to be willing and able to express it - as I have done. "

Absolutely correct, but I think that the point that is being made is that HAD you experienced such conditions then you opinion may be different.....maybe. Usually, one hopes, that experience does bring something relevant and extra to the debate.

[andy-hughes]

Sqad - //Absolutely correct, but I think that the point that is being made is that HAD you experienced such conditions then you opinion may be different.....maybe. Usually, one hopes, that experience does bring something relevant and extra to the debate. //

I think that is absolutely true.

But the fact that I don't have direct experience does not my view either ignorant of arrogant, it makes it my view.

A lack of direct experience should never bar anyone from having a viewpoint, and being free to express it.

If I discuss my daughter's recent childbirth with her, I offer my opinion and view on a variety of aspects of her experience. Because I never have, and never can experience what she has, that does not make my view arrogant and ignorant.

Similarly, when she offered her view on my tests for prostate cancer, her view was not ignorant or arrogant because she cannot know what she is talking about in terms of direct experience.

If that were the case, then the only people able to post on this thread would be serving or ex-military personnel, and how valid a discussion would that be?