America's dangerous trigger finger
Why the killing of civilians by U.S. Marines in Afghanistan and Iraq could have profound strategic consequences.
According to an investigation by an Afghan human rights group released on April 14, the Marines, who said they came under small-arms fire after the bombing, went on a rampage, shooting at vehicles and pedestrians along 10 miles of road.
A few hours after the shootings, the Marines returned to the primary site of the carnage, cordoned it off, and allegedly began removing evidence that it had occurred.
I also feel compelled to remind them that our troops are among the most disciplined and restrained that the world has ever seen.
It is also worth remembering that nearly 700 civilians were killed by the Taliban last year.
Our troops in the field have to be held to a standard of conduct, even if the enemy is not, and even if the military justice system has historically been stacked against them.
clipped from: www.salon.com 