David A. wrote on Apr 17, 2007 11:53 AM:Fantastic news! One down, seven to go!

Retired Marine wrote on Apr 17, 2007 12:03 PM:Thank-God!! Hopefully, the other HEROES involved will be released, as well. If you've NEVER been in a situation like that, you have NO idea what it is like. These are, ALL of them, well-trained, fine, young, patriots who are in a situation that is nearly always difficult, at best. Free them and allow the others, yet serving, to do their jobs. Ooh-RAH!! SEMPER FI!!!!

Too late wrote on Apr 17, 2007 12:21 PM:nobody wants to fight a war with their hands tied. No more re-enlistments, maybe Bush can get the UN to finish up.

Sonny D+ wrote on Apr 17, 2007 12:52 PM:You dont murder the enemy, you kill the enemy! If the enemy blends in to look like a civilian than hey civilians are going to be targeted too. Of course this is guerrila tactics 101 since the only thing stopping that 500lb bomb from being dropped onto your head is the fact that there are civilians all around your outpost. In the end its all business. They have IEDs, RPGs, people and time. The US has B-1 bombers, abram tanks, APC's, all the air/arty. support in the world. If your going to charge anyone in this bloody mess start with the president and work your way down. A true leader leads from the front and takes full resposibility for his actions. Those brave men and women standing the post are there because our leaders ordered them to be there plain and simple.

sickofthis wrote on Apr 17, 2007 1:08 PM:WHY are they wasting time with this..its a WAR..these type of things happen! Why punish the men that were risking their life for our country? What a waste of time and energy.

Bobby wrote on Apr 17, 2007 1:09 PM:I don't think you above commentors undertand. He was given immunity so as to give testimony AGAINST the others. I do however agree that the others will either go free or get a slap on the wrist. The USMC did the same with the Hamdania murderers.

Let's be real wrote on Apr 17, 2007 1:11 PM:Not everyone in the military is a hero, and that certainly includes the accused in this case. They committed murder, plain and simple, and if you excuse them because they are in a "war", then when they come home and kill your family in a PTSD-fueled rage they should get a pass here too. But then I may be reading more into the above comments than were intended. They appear to be suggesting that the soliders in Iraq be allowed to kill anyone on sight without consequences. Is that correct?

wait and see wrote on Apr 17, 2007 1:15 PM:Now that he has no charges against him and immunity-perhaps he will give testimony that will move the rest of the trials forward 0R perhaps he will pull an Oliver North.

A mom wrote on Apr 17, 2007 1:40 PM:Joining the chorus of those expressing "Thank God!" for sanity . . . and I continue my prayers for the remaining innocent marines on trial. Our marines are our finest and our bravest and lawyers have absolutely NO business telling our soldiers how to do their job.

esteban wrote on Apr 17, 2007 2:51 PM:Good news. Now release the others. and give them medals for killing the enemy.

atrew wrote on Apr 17, 2007 3:15 PM:Kind of makes our leaders look like idiots for charging these Marines and the Sailor in the first place. We are in a war where the enemy considers his own death a victory. This war cannot be won by conventional means. Asking our young men and women to fight this war under these circumstances is also counter to their training and incidents will happen where innocent people get killed. However, I challenge ANYONE from this pathetic whiny scumbag SoCal region to fly to Iraq and identify an enemy in a car from an innocent in a car BEFORE said car explodes and kill you and the others near you. You CANT do it. More importantly, you wouldn't, who would pay the gardner after you died? Pendelton needs to be moved to a more appreciative state. To those who support having these heroes released, awesome.... lets hope they are freed and decorated as deserved.

Ex-Army wrote on Apr 17, 2007 4:10 PM:So that's what we tell the parents and children of those killed? "Tough situation, hands tied." How do you know they are "fine, young, patriots?" Apparently they were not that "well-trained" if they are guilty of the charges. You Semper Fi folk making these comments are further proof that having soldiers attempt to keep/enforce peace will never work.

Matt wrote on Apr 17, 2007 5:37 PM:Great! Everyone knows that Marines can do no wrong. They should be free from being prosecuted for ANY crimes ever.

julie wrote on Apr 17, 2007 6:01 PM:Making the correct decision under pressure in a deadly situation is extremely difficult. Too bad they can't charge these men with a lesser crime, if innocent Iraqi people WERE killed, without depriving them of the rest of their lives and liberty when they were obeying orders, trying to stay alive, and most importantly, carrying on a complex, confusing war in a highly hostile environment. It reminds me of Vietnam - the enemies look just like the friendly civilians. How can you tell them apart?

to julie wrote on Apr 17, 2007 6:19 PM:your comparison to viet nam is apt. We have no business in Iraq anymore than we did in vietnam. All the Iraqis hate us at this point, it is time to come home! It is not time to send more young peope over to die in a war that was lost years ago.

john wrote on Apr 17, 2007 6:47 PM:thats a start.

John1 to "ex Army" wrote on Apr 17, 2007 6:50 PM:Army- what was your MOS?

John1 to Bobby wrote on Apr 17, 2007 6:50 PM:Bobby- No one in the Hamdania case has been convicted of murder.

Aaron wrote on Apr 17, 2007 9:07 PM:Wow, so many overlook the obvious. Amazing. Immunity was granted for his testimony against the others.. He is admitting to the outright killing civilians!! and you people want to give them medals for that? To the "SoCAl whiny Scumbag" guy, you are right, that is a very tough challenge no doubt.. But YOU are the reason these guys are there having to make that decision. That's right, thanks for electing and encouraging President Bush to make a fool of this great country by launching an ill planned ideolgical war against the most secular country in the middle east. Way to go. That will show them. Boy They sure thought this one out.

Argus wrote on Apr 17, 2007 9:21 PM:Ummm... I'm sure there are plenty of heroes among the soldiers in Iraq. And I'm sure there are plenty of dead civillians who just got in the way, and it really isn't anyone's fault they are dead. But these guys are charged with KNOWING that they were killing civillians. This is not collateral damage, where you say, "I'm very sorry your family is dead but we were aiming at the terrorist next door." This is, "I can't find the guys who killed my buddy so I killing you, even though I know you didn't have a thing to do with his death." That's not the behavior of an honerable soldier. That's not even the behavior of a sloppy soldier who shoots the wrong guy. That's not even the cynical calciulus of war where the brass decide that it's OK to bomb a building knowing that civillians share the space with the enemy. No, the intentional, knowing, killing of civillians out of nothing more than revenge is a stain on our national honor, and an act no good soldier would defend. If these men did was they are accused of, they deserve punishment.

John1 to Argus wrote on Apr 17, 2007 9:41 PM:How do you know the story so well? How do you know Sgt. Dela Cruz knowingly killed anyone?

John1 to Aaron wrote on Apr 17, 2007 9:43 PM:I don't understand your logic. How is LT. Gen Mattis' decision on Dela Cruz tantamount to Dela Cruz' admission of guilt? If so, I believe (from experience) that Mattis would drive a hard bargain for any plea.

Shell Shock wrote on Apr 17, 2007 9:56 PM:Yet another instance of the American government giving amnesty to war criminals... America is like a rabid dog! When and how will the rest of the world stop us??

Frank wrote on Apr 17, 2007 10:07 PM:I am a Marine. (Not active since 1987) My brother returned from Iraq almost two years ago. There is one thing I would like everyone to think about. As a rational person think about this A foreign government invades your country and occupies it. Their troops are driving through your town in a convoy. You see a roadside bomb explode next to one of the vehicles and kill some of them and shooting starts. Do you? a. Take your family Run like your life depends on it for cover! b. Drive as fast as you can toward the smoking wreckage and gunfire, drag your wife and two kids out of the car and run as fast as you can toward the guy shooting the automatic weapon in your direction? In Iraq the answers run about 50% A 50% B In America the answers run about 93% A 7% B (due to recent Iraqi immigration) (7%)

Dawn wrote on Apr 17, 2007 10:39 PM:These men will be getting their due process which is more than I can say for the civilians they have been accused of slaughtering. It is really to bad that the real war criminals, Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Rice and all the other Neo Cons aren't being prosecuted. It is sad to see that the people in this country condone and even think these actions are heroic. One thing I can say in their defense is that they were not prepared or properly trained for the mission they were sent on but neither were the morons who sent them there. War is a awful terrible thing and that is why great care should be taken before sending in troops. No care was shone to our troops only the arrogance of the coward cowboy from Crawford set this disaster in motion.

John1 to Shell Shock wrote on Apr 17, 2007 10:41 PM:Shell Shock- please feel free to leave this country. You are free to do so. Obviously, being here is not for you, based on your statements. Since you convict citizens (Marines) without proof, and no doubt would defend the Gitmo detainees to the end of your breath, perhaps Russia, Cuba, North Korea or Syria is more to your liking. Perhaps we can take up a collection for your flight? PS-don't include me in your "us".

John1 to Dawn wrote on Apr 17, 2007 11:00 PM:"All the other Neo Cons"- How is that defined? And why would they all "be prosecuted"? Would you prosecute a mother who believed in those principles, however you see them? How do you know the actions of these men? They've been accused- well, only some have-not all have-

MorallyRight1 wrote on Apr 17, 2007 11:00 PM:And the proceedings haven't really gotten underway yet? Well, the Marines, and the prosecution in particular, got their prectice in brow-beating the accused one at a time, starting with the youngest. And the prosecution team was allowed 'several weeks'over there interviewing witnesses, etc.? I am quite sure that the defense will not get the same , as did not the Camp Pendleton 8. And, since they apparently 'ran out' of qualified judges to preside over the former cases, you can bet there will be duplication here. And yet, the Marine Corp will look you right in the face and say 'No, there is no pre-existing bias here!!!' when they use the same judges on these proceedings. And to Bobby: 'a slap on the wrists' How would you like to spend a year of your life sitting in a prison being jacked around endlessly, just for the heck of it? And still no trial? Or how about the 8 year 'slap on the wrist' Pennington got? One man dead vs many; men, women and children? And yet here is a new take on an old game of Who Will Turn Tail First??: Total Amnesty. You know I am so sick and tired of every body whining about those poor innocent, defensless, Iraqis....to those I say: Love the U.S. or grab a towel and Leave it! (Or maybe, better yet, you aren't even a citizen of the United States!!) I would bet that those that are sympthetic to the foreign causes are the same that have never left the United States, not even on vacation. They need to see how the rest of the world really lives their daily lives and stop this whining babble. For whatever reason (some good, some bad), by whatever political party (some good, some bad) and under a variety of military methods (some good, some bad), over the years we, individually and collectively, have achieved a way of life in the United States that this terrorist movement wants to control very badly. So, if it is so corrupt, so morally and socially backwards, then why do these morons want it so badly?

NONE OF YOU WERE THERE! wrote on Apr 17, 2007 11:50 PM:Or "knows" what happened...So, SHUT UP and stop assuming that you know anything about it!!

sikothis wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:02 AM:Its incredible. The enemy, like the cowards they are, has chosen to hide behind women and children, set off car bombs in the middle of the market place to kill as many people(doesn't matter who) as possible and when they are killed we here on the home front complain about the manner in which it is carried out. None of this is easy. Neo cons? Please. Pick a side. If your convictions run deep I'm sure any one of a number of 'free' nations in muslimania would love to have you. But dont expect to contribute to a forum like this cause I dont think they would allow that. I know this incident is just a microcosm of the ugliness of this this whole war, but how do you think ultimately this thing is going to end up? We come home and the 'I hate Americans' just go away? Remember how you felt on 9 11 when the towers came down? remember seeing the news reports from Iraq when all the 'innocent' civilians were jumping and shouting for joy because of what had happened? Again, pick a side. By the way. Thank you Mr. President for having the nads to make decisions that will be unpopular, but effective. How absurd. Prosecuting our own for doing a virtually impossible job? Lets cut out the BS and just win.

Gunny wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:22 AM:when the alamo was attacked, we never lost sight, when pearl harbor was attcked, we never lost sight. we were attacked on 911 and the middle east was the focal point where those that want to destroy our way of life - including your right complain about it started from. lets all hold hands and sing kumbya. lets not loose focus of our mission, and lets never forget to honor those who have to make life and death split second decisions against an ememy who dresses like the locals so when mistakes occur it just stirs up anti war negative press. i say we take off the gloves, clamp down on media coverage and lets finish this job without people who are combat veterans deciding our course.

AmericanAgainstKingGeorge wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:23 AM:Just downright interesting to hear such upstanding Americans stating that its ok to kill civilians, just because. Question, did the Iraq's demand we invade and occupy their country? So we can replace Saddam with the same treatment that Saddam used, only its ok because we are the great satan America, just amazing. Remember one thing, there WAS NO IRAQI connection with 9/11, the next hit, and there will be a next, I can give you odds there will be an Iraqi involved.

HMM-261 wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:24 AM:Dela Cruz brings great disgrace and diservice upon his fellow Marines, The United Marine Corps, and the Naval Service. Entering into a agreement of immunity so that he may testify against his fellow Marines goes against the ethos of being a Marine. If he believes that he committed a crime, than he should plead guilty and serve his punishment like a Marine. If he believes that he committed no crime, than he should produce a vigorous defense. Never, should he testify against others, whilst serving no personal punishment

Matt to Semper Fi Idiots wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:38 AM:All you idiots who keep saying "Semper Fi! Let's release them AND give them a medal," should find out the details. Once all the bodies were counted, these Marines did not kill a single confirmed enemy combatant. In fact, even after they saw dead women and children, and realized they were in a civilian home, they continued heaving grenades inside cracked doorways and blindly through windows. They KNEW they were killing civilians, and they kept doing it anyway. Watch the 60 minutes interview of Wuterich. It is the most despicable and disheartening thing I have ever seen regarding our armed forces. These soldiers are a disgrace.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 1:31 AM:In 1954 the American public was critical of the military justice system in which military offenses were "made" crimes. Sound familiar? There was a worry about Command Control and Courts Obedient to the whim of a military Commander and Excessive sentencing. Sound familiar? Does Lance Cpl. Pennington's sentence come to mind? Does Unlawful Command Influence in these cases come to mind? The public demanded reform; thus the UCMJ. Big Whoop! Talk about being conned! What's changed? The Court of Military Appeals announced they believed Congress intended to place military justice on the same plane as civilian justice, and "to free those accused by the military from certain vices which infested the old system". Anybody see that happening? I haven't. It said some felt the Code didn't go far enough to eliminate Command Influence. There it is again. My, how times "don't" change! To all of the ignoramuses who still label these Marines as murderers; Could ONE of you tell me exactly when that was "proven" and by whom! I've heard of plea deals and talk of immunity to turn on one's fellow Marines. I've heard of those in the military justice system, for the past year, doing everything possible to further the wishes of the prosecution and yet deny the defense anything they've requested. I've heard of NCIS being shown to be ineffective and corrupt to the point that a hearing was postponed so that NCIS could be investigated. Haven't heard any more on that. Guess they'll get around to it "after" everyone has either made their deals or been convicted. I have NOT heard of "anyone" confessing to murder or of anyone "proving" anyone guilty. When was the trial? Give me the date please, because I haven't even heard of "anyone going to trial. Sounds more like the ignorance of a few who have their own agendas and can't wait to see these Marines get screwed. One honorable Congressman, Bill Delahunt, believes that the 8 year sentence handed down to Lance Cpl. Pennington is inconsistent with the dispositions of the co-defendants who made plea deals. A jump from 2 years to 8 years is one heck of an "inconsistent" leap. It is inappropriately severe when compared to the other sentences imposed. The Congressman also believes in Sgt. Hutchins and has requested anyone who wishes to support him in ensuring he receives due process, rather than the possibility of another inconsistent leap in sentencing, to do so through the Congressman's website. The Iraqi's had their say. If they were so concerned with justice, where are they now? Answer; they took the money, ran, and left NCIS and the Marine justice system to do the rest. Since they had their say; Isn't it time WE have ours and defend those who've defended us?

Bush's War Czar wrote on Apr 18, 2007 7:07 AM:Seems like even Bush can't find a General who wants to take this mess on. Time to pull out and let them do what they have been doing for thousands of years, killing each other. If the Russians couldn't do it, why does America think it can? And yes I am guilty, I voted for Bush twice.

Joe wrote on Apr 18, 2007 7:58 AM:Remember how you felt on 9 11 when the towers came down? remember seeing the news reports from Iraq when all the 'innocent' civilians were jumping and shouting for joy because of what had happened?" - THAT NEVER HAPPENED! You sir, are a hatemonger and a liar!

Joe wrote on Apr 18, 2007 8:00 AM:...lets finish this job without people who are combat veterans deciding our course." Then you better get rid of the Decider and his crew. Oops.

tony wrote on Apr 18, 2007 8:24 AM:It is amazing to me and most other people who look at these things without a political slant. Specifically, "Against King George"..let me guess, you probably also believe that Bush knew 911 was going to happen, and the Pentagon was never hit by a plane, right? I readily agree that Rummy mishandled the war, but we did invade them based on the gact that our 1 true ally (England) and the alleged allies France, Russia, Germany and China all said they believed that Saddam was making WMD's. Secondly, I find it alarming that so many folks are willing to believe the worst about their own countrymen before a trial (Matt). You call us Jarheads "idiots" because WE earned your freedom 100's of years ago. Lastly, "Against King George" If we are the great satan, why do you not go over to the middle east and see how liberal and free you are there?

Joe wrote on Apr 18, 2007 8:41 AM:"when the alamo was attacked, we never lost sight, when pearl harbor was attcked, we never lost sight. we were attacked on 911 and the middle east was the focal point where those that want to destroy our way of life - including your right complain about it started from." You make your point up until to get to the middle east part - "the middle east was the focal point where those that want to destroy our way of life..." So we just picked Iraq because it was in the middle east? Sorry, point lost.

Joe wrote on Apr 18, 2007 8:44 AM:I love the way you Semper Fi's blindly support anyone with a uniform, even when he turns coat and testifies against his fellows. Let's give this guy a medal! WOOHOO! After all, he is a Marine so he can do no wrong. Hoo-rah!!

Joe wrote on Apr 18, 2007 8:47 AM:To John1. I appreciate and admire your support of your son, if I was in your place I would do the same thing. That being said, I can only recall the side of the story that says your son's situation was that they took an unarmed Iraqui civilian from his bed and shot him in a ditch, placing incriminating evidence around his body to indicate he was an enemy combatant. Clearly you would not support this action even if done by your own son, so can I respectfully ask you what is the other side of the story?

tedrey wrote on Apr 18, 2007 9:00 AM:What has happened to the American sense of justice? Are there ANY of you who would say, IF these soldiers knowingly killed civilians, including women and children, that they should NOT be punished. Are there ANY of you who would say, IF these soldiers actually thought they were killing terrorists who had attacked them, that they SHOULD be punished. That is what a trial is supposed to settle, isn't it? Can't we cool out a bit?

John1 to Joe wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:14 PM:Joe, Yes, the prosecution's case is that 4 of the 12 members of 1st Squad took Ibrahim Hashim Awad from his bed during the night of April 26, 2006. The prosecution contends all members of the squad tacitly agreed to take a suspected insurgent, Saleh Gowad, and shoot him in a staged incident. Not finding Gowad, Awad was allegedly seized by the 4 members of the "snatch team"- 4 others were 100 meters away (including my son). More information on the specifics of the allegations against the alleged snatch team I guess will be forthcoming in the trials. I don't know much about the discovery on Magic, Hutch and Trent.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:25 PM:To Aaron: You might want to read the article again. Dela Cruz is NOT admitting to the "outright killing civilians". The article says, "after the government balanced the "low level culpability" in the "alleged" crimes against the value of his testimony." Where does it say he admitted to killing anyone? Please feel free to point that out. While we're at it, how convenient that some seem to forget the word "alleged" in this whole process. Does it give you and great pride to have found the Marines guilty before trial? You owe the Gunny an apology. The "awesome" Gunny is not the reason our Marines are in this situation. After mentioning the President, you conveniently left out a majority vote in Congress. Was it handled sloppily? You betya! But get off the blame game against your own countrymen who voted for the President. When I think of those who voted for Clinton and Gore, I just have sympathy. I don't accuse guys like you of being the reason for their actions. Like I said; you owe the Gunny an apology.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:30 PM:To Argus: Would you also please tell me when any trials were held and just who was found guilty? Well; aside from guys like you who seem to have made that decision without knowing any more than accusations and about an upcoming plea DEAL.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 12:45 PM:To Shell Shock: I do believe you! It must be a terrible thing to be a victim of "Shell Shock"; which seems apparent by your comment referring to our Marines as war criminals, and your statement where you say, "America is like a rabid dog!" You might want to rephrase that one because the last time I heard talk like that it came out of the mouths of the Jihadists. I don't think your question about "how and when will the rest of the world stop us?", was phrased correctly either. I think you may have meant; how and when will the rest of the world stop you! No? Yes? Only you know the answer to that.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 1:06 PM:To Matt: Hi! From one of the Semper Fi idiots, and proud of it. Proud of all of these Marines who have unjustly been accused by "IRAQI'S", in case you missed that one. Accused by a Human Rights group that has a history of going after our troops rather than the enemy, in case you missed that. Accused by an organization presently under investigation for its inefficient and less than honorable practices. Please tell all of us exactly what happened in Haditha and Hamdania. Gee! All us poor idiots (who believe in our Marines) have to go on are the things mentioned above, along with illegally "UNauthorized" leaks and statements by a politician who should be one of us proud Semper Fi idiots, but gave away that right the day he turned on his fellow Marines to further his own political aspirations. But, Hey! That's a great politician. What a guy!!As for the 60 minute interview of Wuterich; it's only despicable and disheartening to one who has made up his mind to another's guilt before the man has had a trial. The disgrace does NOT lie with our Marines. The disgrace lies with any American who rushes to judgment on these Marines.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 1:29 PM:To Dawn and to anyone who isn't fully aware of the way the enemy operates: Here's something put out by the military [for the public]. Title: The Internet and Psychological Warfare: "Terrorism has often been conceptualized as a form of psychological warfare, and terrorists have certainly sought to wage such a campaign through the internet. There are several ways for terrorists to do so. They can use the internet to spread disinformation, to deliver threats intended to distill fear and helplessness, and to disseminate horrific images of recent actions, such as" .....(I left that out)..."The insurgents and terrorists in Iraq wage battles with traditional guerilla means as well as by employing psychological warfare on the Internet. Many terrorist groups use message boards, online chat, and religious justifications for their activities."(end). If you are an American and are unaware of this, please get over any dislike you may have for me and wake up because there's a lot more than fighting going on in Iraq or Afghanistan. It's a different kind of fight right here on our soil. The Pentagon knows it, the Prosecutors know it, NCIS knows it, and the Marine Coprs' knows it. Shame on those in power for ignoring it and letting many Americans buy into it. Shame on those in power for allowing Iraqi's and groups like Human Rights Watch persecute our own countrymen. What happens if the day comes that a female Marine or Soldier is accused of these things? Just curious!

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 2:22 PM:To Matt...again: Well, that's a first. I have no clue where the rest of the sentence went. To continue...your statement where you said, "America is like a rabid dog! When will the rest of the world stop us??" My response to that was that perhaps you might want to rephrase it because, to me, it sounds like a comment that would come out of the mouth of the enemy. Possibly not your intent. I guess shell shock can do that to a person.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 2:41 PM:To Shell Shock...again: Well, that's a first. I have no clue where the rest of the sentence went. To continue...your statement where you said, "America is like a rabid dog! When will the rest of the world stop us??" My response to that was that perhaps you might want to rephrase it because, to me, it sounds like a comment that would come out of the mouth of the enemy. Possibly not your intent. I guess shell shock can do that to a person.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 2:50 PM:To NCTimes: This is getting comical. The post at 2:41PM is part of one and a part of another; one leading into the other. Your page set up changed from all the way across the page to half page , so maybe my comments got screwed up somehow. That's a first for me. The ones at 12:25, 12:30, 1:06, and 1:29 were OK. Heaven only knows about the 2:41 and I think I tried to correct it so 'anything" can show up before2:50PM. It's been interesting. AW4!

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 18, 2007 3:13 PM:To Shell Shock: OK...I got this figured out. I commented to you but somehow it got mixed and printed with part of another comment earlier. I have no clue as to how it happened. You could probably care less, since I basically chewed you out. I found that there are 2 of the same article, so if you want to have fun go to the other and join me in all the confusion. I am considering a good stiff drink right now. Too bad I don't drink. Thinkin' about it. Nah!!!!

Dawn wrote on Apr 18, 2007 4:06 PM:To AW4: I am fully aware of how the enemy works and I am also fully aware of how my own government works and the two of them use the same weapons-computer or guns. George Bush has used the so called "WAR ON TERROR" to scare the American people into believing that he is on some mission from God to rid the world of all those terrible people who don't share his world view. This man has no shame, He used 911 to advance himself because he was a know nothing President. He listened to all the wrong people and put us in harms way for the next generation. His lack of understanding and curiosity for other nations and beliefs has brought us to this most dangerous point in time. Our terrible foreign policy for the past 40 years brought us 911. And now all the brave young men and women in uniform are paying the price for his mission. I'm sorry that these things have happened but being in a war zone does not relieve you of good moral judgement. Yes, sometimes people do bad things under stressful conditions but there still should be a price to pay and I can tell you that George Bush will never pay a price for the lives he has taken. He will walk out of the White House and leave it for someone else and ride of into the sunset. It is really to bad the rest of the country will pay for many generations to come. The example he has set with his policies on civil liberties and his reference for the Constitution as being "Just a God damn piece of paper" may just be our undoing as a free country.

a patriot wrote on Apr 18, 2007 4:21 PM:THESE SOLDIERS OF OURS ARE FIGHTING IN A TOUGH PLACE, AND THEY ARE HEROS IN MY BOOK. THEY DESERVE RESPECT AS THEY ARE DOING WHAT MOST OF US NEVER WILL DO. THEY ARE FIGHTING PEOPLE WHO THINK LIKE THEY DID 500 YEARS AGO , AND HAVE JUST THE MORAL VALUES FROM THE SAME ERA. THIS TRIAL SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED.GIVE THEM ALL MEDALS FOR RIGHTFULLY KILLING THE ENEMY.

Borat wrote on Apr 18, 2007 7:26 PM:May George Bush drink the blood of every Iraqi man, woman and child. May the U.S. bomb Iraqi so that not even a lizard will survive. Kahzikstan is the greatest country ... etc., etc., -Borat

Kim to lets be real wrote on Apr 18, 2007 9:19 PM:If you know one or some of these marines, as I do, you would not be quick to judge. No one knows the whole truth, only what the media has told you. I believe in letting them go free for they are hero's they put there lives on the line for all of us including YOU. HAve you ever been faced with a loved one not returning home? I have and not a day goes by thats easier. So if they made a mistake and people were killed...then all I can say is it IS a WAR...not everything goes as planned. Don't believe eveything you read or hear in the news..if you do then you deserve to sound ignorant.

Conservative1 wrote on Apr 18, 2007 10:10 PM:The real story may be found in the last eight paragraphs of Mr. Walker's column. The "blame America first" savants would do well to pull their collective head out of the sand and consider the following proposition: War is impossible without murder! We have sent America's finest to defend the freedom of those who have never known it, in the middle of hell, and denied them the use of deadly force when they were attacked by an enemy unseen. To compound that injustice, we took the word of those whose motivation may have been suspect, to say the least, and denied our warriors' counsel the opportunity to interview them, examine the site where the killing took place, etc. That seems to be the modus operandi of the Marine Corps today. It has gone from "Always Faithful" to "Always Politically Correct." What ever happened to that old Corps that we used to know and love? I want it back! Semper fi! from a retired Marine.

War is War wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:19 AM:Kim by your standards, if they are innocent but get life imprisonment--or the death penalty, well War is War, no biggie!

Its getting clearer and clearer wrote on Apr 19, 2007 10:22 AM:I really think the US Marines is a rouge branch of the service that primarily attracts recruits with personality problems and then compounds those insecurities and anti social tendencies through their training program. It is time to consider dismantling the Marines and re-assigning their resources to other branches of the military.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 19, 2007 2:07 PM:To Dawn: Apparently you are NOT fully aware of how the enemy works. If you were you wouldn't buy into it; and you've bought it hook, line, and sinker. You didn't just nibble. You swallowed the hook! If you ever get past the Bush hating crap you'd see what's right before you. Do you realize that your whole comment was filled with nothing but animosity and hatred. If it will make you feel better, look at it this way...By the end of 2008 you will have another President. Excuse me for defending our President but please don't attempt to re-write history. George Bush is the one who "inherited" 911. ALL of our leaders are responsible for the events that lead to 911. They've all known for years and, until now, we Americans have been too ignorant to realize the enormity of it. For you to portray this war on terror as a scare tactic, is an insult to the troops who are in harm's way every hour of every day. Tell that to them. Tell them that TERRORISM doesn't exist. Just what do you think September 11th was? There IS a war against terrorism and terrorists and part of it is the enemy's ability to spread disinformation against our troops. The so-called human rights groups aren't doing anything to protect the rights of innocents. They do the opposite because of their own personal agendas; some of which are pretty scarey. Iraqi's, Human Rights, Mainstream Media, Politicians and NCIS...THAT is why our Marines are being screwed over. Why don't you use all that hate for Bush and stand up for the persecution of those who fight for us? Your comment that Bush and his policies may be our undoing as a free country is ridiculous. Our failure as Americans to stand up for our own countrymen and the rights being denied them will be our undoing as a free country. While we're at it; please tell me the date and where the President was supposed to have used the words you quoted at the end of your comments? I must have missed that somehow. Since you're such an authority on the President of the United States you shouldn't mind proving that those particular words were used. After all; if one is going to accuse another of something, PROOF is very important don't you think???

Bill wrote on Apr 20, 2007 3:50 AM:I wonder why AW4cryinoutloud writes for NCT for free. I bet Mad Magazine would pay her good money for this stuff. And I do mean "mad" in its most literal sense. How are her remarks so different than those made by the most recent mass murdrerer in VA? Hate, anger, paranoia, social disconnect, its all there.

Thar she blows wrote on Apr 20, 2007 6:34 AM:OMG NCT should limit comments to some number of lines per article. The request, "Please keep comments brief" isn't working.

Thank You Bill wrote on Apr 20, 2007 7:43 AM: I whole heartedly agree! I have noticed that she is really losing her tenuous grip on reality and her ravings are getting longer and more and more like the unibomber's manefesto.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 20, 2007 5:20 PM:To Bill: That's a good question. Maybe I could get a paycheck from NCTimes. I should think one could make very good money writing for MAD Magazine. You remind me of another blogger. Haven't heard from him in awhile. His remarks were just as juvenile and disgustingly insulting as yours. Read your own words and re-think who portrays hate, anger, paranoia, and social disconnect. You have nothing to offer in this comment section other than insults. Your reference to VA.Tech shows that you are an example of your own list of insults. Seek help Bill!

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 20, 2007 5:44 PM:To Thar she blows: OMG! Harry, is that you? The "Bill', 'Thar she blows', and 'Thank You Bill' brings back the Good Ole Days when Harry and Jay used to double-team me with insults and thanking each other. My comments are apparently too extensive for your intellectual capabilities. You see; to the credit of NCTimes, they DO have the intellectual capacity.

AW4cryinoutloud wrote on Apr 20, 2007 6:03 PM:To Thank You Bill: Of course you agree with Bill. Narrow minds travel the same path. What is it with the Sicko' attitude and references to murderers? You guys and your disgusting comments are going to leave the impression you also travel that path. Seek Help!