Date: 4/27/2001 7:21:00 AM
From Authorid: 15823
As a former (British) soldier I know that some wicked things can be done by both sides in battle. The Vietnam war was mainly a jungle war and all jungle wars are hard to fight especially if it's home ground for the enemy. But no excuses can be made for deliberately murdering
innocent men, women and children - if that's what actually happened. He should face his accuser, and any other former seals who served with him and answer the charge honestly. If guilty he should at the very least apologize and hand back his medals. It won't bring back the dead but it will show he does have some conscience.  |
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Date: 4/27/2001 8:00:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 18562
it is by no means proven that ether he exicuted them or they were simply colateral casualtys...there are seals who were there at the battle who have given both versions of the story...it seems to me that in the middle of a fire fight it would seem odd to stop and line up women and children and shoot them down...I think the olny realistic answer is that in a night action scaired men acting on raw instenct and the will to servive opened fire on anythig that moved that was not in a US uniform and was in the general direction of where the shooting was comming from...It may have only been one or two snipers but at night and in hostal taritory...if you take chances your gambleing with not only your own life but the 20 other men you are in command of...this is clearly a tradgy...the fortunes of war PatrickO |
Date: 4/27/2001 8:21:00 AM
From Authorid: 15823
OK - I got the impression this was a small quite village entered in daylight and not under fire.
Given the picture you quote I do think it's odd that he'd stop the action to carry out such a massacre. But the other men should all be interviewed to check their version of events.
Yes young battle weary boys do get trigger happy and loose off shots - but a line- up of women and kids is not on. Cheers. |
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Date: 4/27/2001 8:29:00 AM ( From Author )
From Authorid: 18562
Well yes...it all comes down to who's story you beleave...4 Seals and Kerry have given the firefight story 1 has given the masicar story... |
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Date: 4/27/2001 8:34:00 AM
From Authorid: 15823
Just to let you know. I really do understand that many women and children in villages could have been - and sometimes were V-C's - ... and I'd have shot anyone who attempted to throw a grenade or fired on me or my comrades .... but??? |
Date: 4/27/2001 8:37:00 AM
From Authorid: 2030
Sen. Kerry has always been a personal hero of mine and he holds a congressional Medal of honor and is missing a leg, all due to bravery aand sacrifice in combat. (too bad he's a democrat) As part of project pheonix Navy seals did many dangerous missions capturing (and eliminating) VC suspects and officials. Dirty work, yet they were acting on orders and doing the best they could. In any combat situation your first priority is to protect your men and yourself. And unfortunately that means shot first ask questions later. When you have an enemy that lives and hides amoung the civilian population this can and will always result in civilian deaths. You can try to minimize the risk but usually at your own peril. This sounds cold blooded but it's true. War is a nasty nasty dirty business. Thats we we try not to have them.  |
Date: 4/28/2001 12:33:00 AM
From Authorid: 27678
I think I stopped liking Bob Kerrey when I read The Franklin Cover-Up. Free Girl  |
