The Lt. states that he directed them, in Arabic, to stop. They did not, and he fired. What the media isn't telling you is that the incident occurred after the two tried to speed away from a house where the Marines found bomb-making equipment, along with a few other details.
Check out the story at:
Prince Pundit
BlackFive
Lt. Pantano's mother has also created a website at: http://www.defendthedefenders.org. You may need to try a few times, since there's been a lot of traffic lately
When I first heard this story, "Breaker Morant" popped into my head. For those of you who haven't seen the movie, it's based on an unfortunately true story of Australian officers tried for the murder of a Boer soldier who had ambushed one of their comrades. Basically, they were tried as a conciliation move to appease the Boer. A third was sentenced to prison, and released a few years later after public outcry. The situation is different, but there is one similarity; it seems that we're more interested in sympathy for the enemy than supporting our own.
It seems that every war has its scapegoats. I've never really understood it. Perhaps its because no one wants to deal with what war is. Yes, it's unfortunate that some things escalate to war, but that's the world we have. And yet, it seems that we have to find someone to hold up and say, "See, there's killing people, and then there's murder."
Sure, there are situations that go beyond what is expected in our troops. But since when is shooting an advancing enemy a crime? And why wait a year to accuse him?
2nd Lt. Pantano was doing his job, in a war zone. He reacted to what he perceived as a clear and present danger. Maybe it's me, but advancing on an armed Marine after they just found bomb-making equipment in your house, and stopped you from fleeing the scene, doesn't strike me as a non-threatening gesture. Nor is it too bright. What could you possibly be thinking? There's not a whole lot of grey area in an armed Marine's presence. Had he not taken action when he did, it's entirely likely that we would be mourning a Marine. The difference between dead insurgents and a dead Marine can be a fraction of a second.
Have we forgotten who the enemy is here? How many insurgents do you think will be tried for the deaths of our troops?
If you encounter any Boers
You really must not loot 'em!
And if you wish to leave these shores,
For pity's sake, DON'T SHOOT 'EM!!
Harry "Breaker" Morant
1902
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