Should There Be A Lenient Sentance For Marine A

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/defence/10454622/Marine-A-poll-finds-47-want-a-lenient-sentence.html

47% want a lenient sentence and 35 per cent believe the marine should receive a full life sentence for his crime.

/// Support for a more lenient sentence was highest among the over 55s, with more than half of those aged 55-64 saying that the law should make an exception for a serving soldier. Among the over 65s, some 55 per cent would support leniency. ///

It would be interesting to see a vote taken of amongst those who have actually served in Afghanistan, it is only those who know what pressures are involved when you fight those who do not wear any uniform of recognition.

[anotheoldgit]

And have some come out all squeaky clean, or should they also get the maximum sentence?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2508447/PETER-HITCHENS-Marine-A-going-jail--guilt-Blairs.html?ico=home^editors_choice

[jake-the-peg]

The Mail is really tieing itself in knots (as I think are you AOG) in trying to defend a man who murdered a captive - they're trying really hard not to say it but you can tell they want to say he should be just let off.

But the part about the politicians is certainly very apt -

Note I said politicians not just Blair

You'll remember Cameron voted and the Tories voted for the war too

And before everybody starts spouting the 20:20 hindsight argument lets not forget that while Parliament was voting for a war in Iraq the largest protest in British history was shouting at them from just outside!

There are a lot of questions about this war and one way or another a lot of those responsible have slipped off the hook.

Bush is the main person and I have some sympathy with those who think that he deliberately started a war in Iraq for personal reasons and that that could be considered a war crime

But I dont think Blair has properly accounted for his actions either.


None of that though excuses dragging a wounded man across a field and then discussing how you're going to shoot him before calmly putting a bullet in him

[andy-hughes]

AOG - "And have some come out all squeaky clean, or should they also get the maximum sentence?"

That is hardly comparing like with like is it?

This was the cynical action of one soldier who shot an unarmed possibly dying man - that in no way equaates with the actions of naval officers in WWII which was a very different war for different reasons, in a differen time.

The hysterical self-rigteous posturing phrases used by the writer do nothing to help the cause of military personel carrying out difficult orders in impossible conditions.

This murder was neither.

[andy-hughes]

My post crossed with jake's - but we are both of the mind of the majority over here - which ever way you slice this incident, it was murder, and it should be punished accordingly.

[mikey4444]

You are right, of course andy and most of us feel the same, but not all. Look at the first response to this post for instance !

[andy-hughes]

I know Mikey - as I have intimated, that kind of attitude comes from a 'knowledge' of warfare gained from reading Andy McNabb novels and playing too many computer games.

[ChillDoubt]

I'm sure 'these filth' will also use this soldiers actions as an excuse to carry out more attacks on the British forces, making it counter productive.
-----------------------
We are all infidels to them, that's the only excuse most of them (terrorists) need.
His cohorts no doubt saw what happened to their mujahid brother as an occupational hazard, given what he was attempting in the first place.

[FredPuli43]

AOG, what number of years in jail do you think is appropriate for this man, given all the mitigation you can think of?

By the way, you have had "a vote taken of amongst those who have actually served in Afghanistan". It was of the warrant officers and above who tried him.

[FredPuli43]

That should read "one "vote...". He will be sentenced in accordance with the judicially guided wishes of the senior officers.