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Handout / Reuters
Staff Sgt. Robert Bales is seen during an exercise at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, in this Aug. 23, 2011, handout photo.
TACOMA, Washington - An Afghan villager and two of his sons, who survived a night-time shooting rampage in March, testified on Saturday that they saw only one U.S. soldier attacking their compound, backing the U.S. government's account.
A teenager said he had cried out "We are children, we are children" during the attack, but then saw the soldier shoot a child.
Military prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Army Staff Sergeant Robert Bales, accusing him of killing 16 villagers, mostly women and children, when he ventured out of his remote camp on two revenge-fueled forays over a five-hour period in March.
The shootings in Afghanistan's Kandahar province marked the worst case of civilian slaughter blamed on an individual U.S. soldier since the Vietnam War and damaged already strained U.S.-Afghan relations.
The U.S. government says a coherent and lucid Bales acted alone and with "chilling premeditation."
Some villagers told reporters shortly after the attacks that more than one U.S. soldier was involved, but sworn statements to that effect have not been made publicly.
Witness: Sgt. Bales, accused of Afghan massacre, was deemed a top soldier
Karilyn Bales, the wife of Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, spoke exclusively with NBC's Matt Lauer, telling the TODAY anchor that the news about her husband is 'very unbelievable.'
Early Saturday, three survivors answered questions via video-link from Kandahar Air Field to a hearing at a U.S. Army base in Washington state - the first time Afghan witnesses have testified under oath about what transpired on March 11.
"He shot me right here," said Haji Mohamed Naim, the father of nine sons in the village of Alkozai, the scene of the first shootings.
Speaking through an interpreter, he said all he could see was a strong light on the head of a soldier who was not more than half a yard away from him when he started shooting.
Naim said he was awoken in the night by sounds of shots and dogs barking, and then children from the next door house knocked on his door. He then described how an "American" jumped from a wall before confronting him and starting to shoot.
Afghanistan shooting suspect Robert Bales faced financial troubles, records show
Two of Naim's sons, who were also in the compound, said they saw only one U.S. soldier on the night in question.
"Yes, I saw him, he came after me, I went to another room," said Naim's son Sadiquallah, who said he was 13 or 14 years old. He described how he hid behind a curtain in a storage room with one other child, and was hit in the ear with a bullet, but did not see who fired the shot.
"How many Americans did you see?" one of the prosecution attorneys asked Sadiquallah. "One," he replied.
'I saw the American'
His older brother Quadratullah, who said he was 14, was unscathed in the attack, but said he saw a U.S. soldier shooting other children.
"Yes I saw the American," he answered a government attorney. "I said 'We are children, we are children', and he shot one of the kids," Quadratullah said, through an interpreter.
"We saw only one American," he added.
At a courtroom at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Bales sat impassively throughout the proceedings, watching the witnesses on a TV screen in front of him.
The Afghan villagers testified on the fifth day of a hearing to establish whether there is enough evidence to put Bales before a court martial.
Watch the most-viewed videos on NBCNews.com
A veteran of four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Bales faces 16 counts of premeditated murder and six counts of attempted murder, as well as charges of assault and wrongfully possessing and using steroids and alcohol while deployed.
Prosecutors have presented physical evidence to tie Bales to the crime scene, with a forensic investigator saying a sample of blood on Bales' clothes matched a swab taken in one of the compounds where the shooting occurred.
Bales' lawyers have not set out an alternative theory, but have pointed up inconsistencies in testimony and highlighted incidents before the shooting where Bales lost his temper easily or appeared unbalanced, possibly setting up an argument that he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Gathering evidence and witness statements was complicated by the speedy burial of victims, the inability of U.S. investigators to access the crime scenes for three weeks after the violence for fears of revenge attacks, and the dispersal of possible witnesses after treatment at a Kandahar hospital.
Bales' lead civil defense attorney John Henry Browne, who is in Kandahar to question the witnesses, complained early in the investigation that his team was denied access to villagers wounded in the attacks.
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Leave a Comment:
This man is obviously a psychopath and should live out his life in the loony bin.
As long as you take his place on the front lines otherwise do us all a favor and suck the barrel of a loaded 12 gauge.
Back on September 12th, 2001 when the memory of 3,000 people getting incinerated to death was still fresh in our memory this incident wouldn't have aroused much outraged. People of all political backgrounds wanted to put the heads of Afghans on sticks...
...now that our proximity to violence has lessened we have the luxury to sit back and talk about the virtues of peace, how war is not the answer, and how we shouldn't do so and so.
These are all perfectly natural reactions to have from people who've never experienced violence in any real way. In fairness though, you should keep in mind that the soldiers actually are living day-to-day war zone (and have been for the better part of a decade in some cases) and don't have the luxury of being able to sit back and philosophise about these things. It's very difficult to gage "how" people should be behaving in conditions radically different from our own.
I'm certain if this was a Palestinian sucidie bomber blowing himself up on an Israeli schoolbus, at least half of the "anti-War" people here would find a way to justify it. But when its an American soldier some how the level of "understanding" goes out the window...
At any rate this probably isn't model behavior by any stretch. By the same token though, our proximity to that world is non-existent so its difficult to try and cast a MORAL judgement here without sounding like a complete tool.
we expected him to follow his commanders orders....somehow i doubt he was ordered to shoot and kill innocent children.
We send these men and women into battle fighting for their lives everyday. There is going to be those that cannot handle the stress of all the death and destruction. We have no business being there. The administrations past and present have lied to us and continue to lie moving from country to country attacking innocent people. So not only are the lives of people in the ME destroyed but also the lives of our brave military. Washington is a disgrace.
humans are humans, and can be subject to mental issues...especially in war.
I am sorry for this tradgedy, but I would like to know how many of this boys family members were killed by non-americans...and did that make a story too...? I dont mean to be insensitive, but I do wonder if this family was in-tact up until the soldier did this, or is this soldier responsible for every death out there....be careful
lug66 I see your passion, but if your suggestion in anyway is carried out, you are responsible.
The military consistently ignores the troops' mental health problems and then blames them if they crack. There is more blame to be spread up the chain of command all the way to the very top. This man should not get the death penalty but rather institutionalized and treated properly. Just because the military claims he's sane doesn't make it so. Don't be so quick to believe the military and cast blame on one single man. There should be a deeper investigation but there won't be. As usual.
I can understand punishing someone for failure to follow orders, but its quite another to sit here an moralize about "innocent children" and the like. People seem to forget that the Taliban fighters are just a minute part of that entire movement. The majority of the "Taliban" is made up of civilians who provide financial and logistical support to the fighters.
So these same "civilians" that we lament about are the same ones who come out in the streets to spit on and throw feces at American soldiers. That tell the Taliban fighters when to plant the bombs. That beat the ever-living-crap out of their wives, torture animals, stone people to death for sexual immorality, use their left hand for toilet paper............one could go on......
And again, a fair amount of suicide bombers and shooters in these wars have been - yep, you guessed it - children. So the lines are blurred quite a bit. This wasn't like walking into a playground in San Diego and killing a bunch of school kids.
Again, clearly this man is not fit for society. But to try and moralize about war being bad and how he didn't "meet the military standard" is nothing more than your typical Bible thumping (or pipe smoking in this case) nonsense...
Until we indict the Bushs, Cheney, Rumsfeld, and about a hundred ZioNazis, some dual Israeli citizens and some not; for conspiracy, treason, war crimes and crimes against humanity, we have no authority rhyme nor reason to go after a soldier that freaked out and shot a bunch of innocent people. Taking out the perpetrators of false flag 9-11 and the monetary system monopolizing, war profiteering infinitely greedy wasted sperm of humanity will give a thousand times more honor to the innocent dead Afghanistan people than sending one mentally deficient solder to death row.
No excuses. If he is found guilty of this massacre give him the death penalty or lock him up for life.
really classy lugnut66, maybe you should go take your own advice.
It just astounds me to read the complete idiots that try to defend this serial killer. I'm betting all tea party republicans. I couldn't help but notice the serial killer was sneaking around and soliciting women and children as his number one targets. Kind of like his tea party associates here in the states only this monster took it a couple steps further. It's the mentality of these tea partiers that have not just the world, but even their own country hating them.
Man thats crazy.... And I do seriously hope those Afghan people get their justice....
Travis.....
3000 vs how many dead Iraqis, Afghans, and Pakistanis plus all the covert wars going on... Is there a specific or approximate number of dead that will quench your thirst?
If he had gone on a roid rage and killed 16 Americans, don't you think he'd get the death penalty? That nut that shot up the base in texas got the Death penalty I'm pretty sure, and he was also pretty nuts. (correct me if Im wrong.) That's a perfect trial case to go by on this issue. A murder is a murder regardless of race and nationality.
I agree though, mental issues were at hand here, but so they were in so many other mass shootings. In every example we crucify the shooter and exonerate the people in their lives who COULD have stopped them before it was too late. Whether that's right or wrong, is not just for me to decide.
So STG Bales gets the possiblity of a death penalty yet a certian muslim Major that shot up fellow soldiers on American soil has not yet come to trial...what is up with that? Major Hasan's currnent political ploy is to prevent shaving his beard before appearing on trial. Seems we have a differnt court for the Major and one for the SRT...both face possible death penalty.
www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/08/major-nidal-hasan-appeals_n_2092356.html
"Survivors have expressed frustration about repeated delays over the past three years in bringing Hasan to trial. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces indefinitely postponed Hasan's court-martial last month pending further review.
The suit filed in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia alleges that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and other officials disregarded the safety of soldiers and civilians at Fort Hood. It also alleges that they allowed Hasan to be in a position to open fire on the troops despite knowing he was a "radical extremist."
"The government seems to have gone out of its way to give the stiff arm to these victims. They have made their lives miserable," said attorney Neal Shur, who is the lead counsel in the case."
www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/05/us-usa-crime-forthood-idUSBRE8A41KH20121105
Does this not sound a little one sided to you all? What do you think?
Four tours of duty in these wars. Four years of living the stress of fighting with a family at home. I remember that just before this soldier did this, there was another one of those murders of an American soldier by Afghan forces, someone shot in the back of the head sitting at their desk. Yes, what Bales did was wrong. He snapped under the stress. He deserves some sort of punishment, but I don't think it is death. At the same time, he needs some sort of mental health treatment. There also needs to be better treatment for all soldiers who've been asked to fight back-to-back tours in these wars.
He killed 16 civilians and DOESN'T deserve death???
...and I'm sure they swore with their right hand on the bible and the witnesses who seen more than one soldier weren't fit for testimony or, in some way, unavailable (like Petraeus or Pat Tillman).
@Mandy - Go join the military, spend 4 years over in some other country fighting in wars watching your friends die. Spend 4 years fighting watching "friendly" soldiers from that country kill people you know shooting them in the back of the head as they are sitting at their desk working to help that other country. Spend 4 years fighting in some foreign country reading the news how your own government doesn't give a crap about you, cutting medical care for veterans and dumping bills that would provide jobs for soldiers after then get home. You think soldiers don't read what is happening back home and how their benefits are being cut? You don't think they don't know how their families are suffering to make ends meet while they are stuck over there seeing their friends killed and our government doing nothing but giving billions of dollars to the people who are killing them? Do you think they are not affected by all of this? He is a killer, something happened to him that I think most of us cannot relate to. At the same time, he is also a husband and a father who has been stuck in wars for more years than most other soldiers of any other US wars in over 100 years. So, Mandy, go join the military, go serve this country fighting in war for 4 years, and then come back and tell us what wisdom you have learned.
poor kids probably didn't even have suicide bombs...strapped on...
Let's also not forget that this soldier suffered a brain injury from an explosion during one of his 4 years of fighting. Don't you also think that he may have also suffered some brain damage? But he was stamped A-OK to go out there and serve, to fight and die for the USA by his doctors! The same guys who brought you Agent Orange!
KhanKubla, would you be saying this if he had shot up 16 women and children in YOUR neighborhood?
@Mandy - get ready. This is nothing new or shouldn't be. History shows that soldiers who have gone to war come back and suffer from mental illnesses which are ignored by our government (because if they paid attention to them they'd have to spend money on them) and they kill people. So coming to a neighborhood near you are a whole lot of killings because our government cares LESS for our soldiers than they do for their own pay checks. But then Congress doesn't care so much because it is not their children who are out there fighting and this won't be happening in their own neighborhoods!
what part of brain damaged...do some people not understand...i guess everything...
Well, plain bob, given that a "traumatic brain injury" can mean anything from a mild concussion to a railroad spike through the head, there's a lot I don't yet understand about this angle.
TKK You didn't answer the question. What would you be saying if he shot 16 people in your neighborhood? Killing some of your family?
The civilians in my neighborhood are actual civilians. They don't spit on or throw feces at soldiers. They don't help terrorists plant roadside bombs. They don't provide financial, moral, and logistical support to a 7th Century theocracy that be-heads women for reading books.
In sum, the civilians in my neighborhood aren't "civilians" in quotation marks. They go about their business and aren't actively or tacitly involved with people trying to kill me.
Great story to run on veterans day, couldn't what a day to run is one? Maybe you should run a story on bloody Williamson on labor day, or Joan Crawford on mothers day just saying.
Mandy - You are truly a pathetic moron. You clearly have no clue what realty is nor what war is remotely like. Your reality is probably going to the mall or worshiping the scumbag Kardashians on your TV. This is a war we should not even be fighting, but you do not give a sh-t because you have no clue. NO CLUE!!! This is a man (a veteran of four tours) who is clearly brain damaged. SO you blame him but not the bastards who 'declared' this a war. You will never understand because you don't care to. Try joining the US Army or the US Marine Corps, go off to war, see your friends killed by very young men and women fighting for the Taliban and then see what reality is. By the way, The Taliban is nothing less than a religious cult who murder people, men, women, AND CHILDREN. You act as if you know a thing or two about life and still have no clue. The people in Afghanistan and Pakistan are not our friends. Butt how could a clueless ditz like you ever understand? His butt hole walks on better ground than your clueless rear end ever will. Try this one for size. GET A CLUE. These people belong to religion that have murdered millions, yes MILLIONS, of people over the past 1,500 years. GET A CLUE. You are a true idiot. And that you will probably take as a compliment. Being a true idiot. Here are some clues for you. How about 1 to 2 millions Armenians slaughtered? Or any town or city in Turkey or southeast Europe or the Mideast that used to be a Christian town where the inhabitants were given a choice of leaving immediately (with only the clothes they were wearing but no food), or converting to that 'other' religion. But I am sure you still do not get it. If you were raped over there, you and your sisters would be killed so that your family could have religious honor. SO GO GET A CLUE.
"The civilians in my neighborhood are actual civilians. They don't spit on or throw feces at soldiers. They don't help terrorists plant roadside bombs. They don't provide financial, moral, and logistical support to a 7th Century theocracy that be-heads women for reading books.
In sum, the civilians in my neighborhood aren't "civilians" in quotation marks. They go about their business and aren't actively or tacitly involved with people trying to kill me."
-----------
Travis-
Given your (idiotic) name, I assume that you're the kind of person that doesn't care too much for "collectivism." Unless you have evidence that the children Bales is accused of murdering had ever thrown feces at anyone, how do you possibly get off treating their deaths as less tragic or morally significant than the death of an American child?
It's almost like you imagine these kids as bugs, not human. Bugs who don't cry in terror when a drunken maniac grabs them by the hair and puts a gun in their face. You really make me sick.
Travis: There is no evidence that these people did those things. You are simply spouting propaganda.
Bruce: First, let me thank you for your personal attack, I hope it made you feel better.
I haven't been to the mall in years, and I don't have a TV.
I do have a clue. I don't think we should be in this war. But whether or not we should be in this war has nothing to do with the fact that he committed a crime.
In case you forgot, Our military is ENTIRELY voluntary. So yes. I blame HIM for HIS ACTIONS. The military did not go tell him to shoot up civilians.
I did try. Thank you. But they can't take someone with a lifelong hip injury.
Thats nice. But I dont recall seeing anything in the article that said these women and children were a part of the Taliban. Do you?
What an assumption that I am a "clueless ditz" FYI, I'm currently being paid to go to graduate school. So someone out there thinks I'm pretty damn smart. And I know how to spell "but."
Try making your points without personal attacks. Its childish.
And Christians haven't done these things? Oh wait. They have.
Alright I'm done with this.
Again. NO ONE has answered my question. If this man had come to your neighborhood and shot up your neighbors and killed some of your family. Would you be defending him like this?
Bruce. How about you get a clue. You would be raving and foaming at the mouth if he killed your children after war.
Some of you sound like you think this man represents America. Shame on you!
WAY TO GO MANDY-
WOW!!!. You are still an Idiot. And the reason is because you still have no clue. Let me explain. You have no clue what the real world is like. But because you have no clue about the real world, you will never understand. Do you, for example, understand what war is like and how it adversely affects the combatants? Or do you understand who profits from wars? Do you understand what it is like to be a woman in a Muslim country? In a Muslim country, as a woman, you would have no rights. Let me repeat, NO RIGHTS. You would not be able to educate yourself. You would be killed if you tried.
I realize that I am probably typing far too much for you to comprehend. You clearly did not really read all I had written, or actually thought about what I had written. Poor, poor, girl. What a pity you are so ignorant.
You still do not get it. Your last point was actually a question. Would I still be defending him? I am not defending him. He was sent over there and committed a crime. I am not arguing about that. But there are many mitigating points which you have failed, in your ignorance, to realize. But our government is willing to sacrifice a pathetic wretch like this person so they do not have to take responsibility for his actions, which clearly and ultimately are caused by their (our government) actions. He was brain damaged and snapped. But yet, our military sent him back over there. Why do make excuses for the bastards for sending him over there? And please do not say he was a volunteer. He still had no choice in going. He was sent over there.
So now on to your other clueless points.
You say for me to get a clue??? I have many, many more clues than you have, or, I am sure, than you ever will have. Have you ever been to a VA hospital?? I have been to several and have seen and what these two wars have done to the young men who were shipped over to two remote countries that we had no business being there. These young men are volunteers but had no choice to go because they were ordered to go. But have you ever seen what wars do to people?? These men are our sons, brothers, or fathers here in the USA. Many have PTSD which often causes many severe problems. Some of the troops have committed suicide. Or do you think that is acceptable for some strange reason? But because these young men are volunteers, you are actually implying that these troops who have committed suicide is somehow justified in your twisted, and ignorant, rationale.
You act so indignant and think you are so smart. You say you are ‘being paid’ to go to a grad school? And you think you are smart for going to a grad school? Here’s another clue. I doubt you are being paid. Maybe someone gave you a grant or scholarship. That is not ‘being paid. That is far different from ‘being paid’, as you say. Also, you, I am sure, have no clue what the educational system (colleges, universities, etc) is really like here. It is nothing less than a huge business. I mean HUGE. These grants and scholarships are necessary to keep those same colleges and universities alive. But OK, I understand. You will not understand that because you still think you are so smart and will not think of all the implications of a HUGE business. Still too much for you? Clearly, You do not have to be all that smart to receive a grant to further your education. Millions upon millions of dollars are given out every year to students. That does not make you smart. I mean, HELLO.
And no, I would not be foaming at the mouth. WOW. The more you try to rationalize your nonsensical and ignorant behavior, the more stupid and ignorant you seem. So am I being childish enough for you? Try your so called rational out on any number of Muslims. You would be lucky to simply have a hand cut off in a Muslim country. I mean that literally. Or perhaps you would be beheaded for actually trying to get an education as a woman in a Muslim country. Again, literally killed (beheaded). Do you somehow think that is right?
By the way, you clearly do not understand the history of Islam. You say (or imply) that Christians have murdered millions? Hmmm. Let me think. Actually, no, not millions, as the Muslims have done. And the Muslims are still doing it. But, hey, your skirt is showing. Or is that a little to sublime for you? Your lack of historical knowledge is truly astounding. Christians, in the form of The Crusades did kill many Muslims. But you still do not understand history. Jerusalem was a Christian city and the Muslims conquered it in a military conquest. The Christians then went back to take it back from the bloody Muslims.
By the way, Muslims have not only murdered Christians, but many, many, many other peoples of other religious faiths in may other countries.
Also, the Muslims have been murdering for 1,500 years. The Crusades were several hundred years ago. So, Christians have not been killing for several hundred years. But yet, the Muslims still do kill. Clearly, my point of 1 to 2 million Armenians killed went right past you. Try looking that one up on the internet. Oh, yeah, you are so smart you decided to not even look that one up. And you think that Muslims are somehow entitled to continue their killing spree for over 1,500 years. And you still have no clue what the Muslims are up to. Killing and more killing. And that is ok, because why? Because Christians tried to take back Jerusalem several hundred years ago? And if you must respond, try to respond in like fashion. Like millions of people slaughtered by Muslims, but not millions slaughtered by Christians. Is this too much?
And how about your useless point about being able to spell the word but? My point clearly sailed right past you. That, my dear, poor girl, is what is said to be a play on words. Still too much? I used the word butt as a play on words (as in the preceding sentence). I find it truly pathetic that I actually have to spell all this out to you. I had used the word butt in another sentence, but, as I said, that clearly sailed right by you. Your cluelessness is only compounded by your ignorance. Again, probably a little to sublime for you
You also say that you tried to join the military but have a life long hip injury. OK, I understand. You are actually dumb and ignorant enough to think that any of the military would actually let you join. Are you trying to imply that you did not know you had a hip injury or problem? Didn’t it give you any problems before you tried to join? All I have to say again is WOW. And you think you are so smart that you are going to a grad school for what? I know for a fact that there are people who really are not too bright that go to grad schools. OK. I get it So you are different and really, really, smart person
So there you go. I clearly am not the one who has to get clue. You still have to get a clue. UMMM, actually, many, many clues. I could on and on, but what is the point with someone who has no clue, Is that too childish for you?
So, am I done trying to educate you?
lug66, don't ever tell a Viner to kill themselves. You're suspended for a week for violating #1 of the Code of Honor.
Wow Bruce, In all of that name calling and personal attacking, even though you don't know me at all. You still managed not to answer the one single question I asked.
Enjoy your time on Newsvine, Bruce. Because its probably limited.
(Oh and btw, I AM getting paid to be at school. No grants. No scholarships. Sorry bub.)
Mandy - You still do not get it. This is called a wake up call. You did not respond to any of what I said. That is what is called only a partial education. Try reading again and again and again what KK said. Then maybe you will begin to understand what reality really is. Or better yet, go to lovely Afghanistan, live there for a while and see what reality is over there. These Muslim extremists will go to no end to see people suffer and even die in pain. They even kill their own people. The local Muslims live a life under Islamic Law, which is a hardship unto itself. The extremists are coming and some are actually here. Do you not remember 911? It really happened. Many US citizens died, some horribly. Try this one for size. Have you ever tried to imagine what it is like to be trapped in a hi-rise building that is on fire and then starts to collapse? That is what happened to those poor souls in New York on 911. You must live a very nice, easy life. I am not saying that you do not work hard. I do not care if you do or not. That is not my point. I mean they (Muslim extremists) are coming for you and me and everyone else here. They have been doing it very, very successfully for over 1,500 years, and in many, many countries. Try to imagine the horror of being invaded by these extremists and having your and my, precious freedoms taken away. Or else you die. They will hot stop until we all convert to Islam or they kill us. They do not care if it takes another 1,500 years. No offense, but you must have been sleep walking your life away. Or maybe you can wake up and smell the coffee. It's your choice. It’s entirely up to you. Go back to sleep walking if you like. But now you cannot ever say that you were not warned, because you have been warned. So go back to sleep if you want. Many, many people here in the USA live their life as if they were in the movie The Matrix. I try not to. I know how truly dangerous these fanatics are, and how much support they get from everyday people in Muslim countries.
Try this as well. Google Muslim violence and see what comes up. See what kind of person their prophet really was. How many people were killed at his insistence? Is that like what Christians are really like? And you think Christians are evil?
You say my time here is limited. So you want to limit my free speech? That is priceless. Well, har de har har. The joke is not going to be on me because I know what reality is. You should be thankful that someone like me has actually taken the time to try and educate you what the real world is like. Life sucks for many people. I mean it really does suck for some, actually many people. Some get their rear ends shipped of to some obscure country with extremist Muslims that hide behind human shields, literally human shields. Do you have the faintest clue what that is? That is a coward who hides behind a child or a woman and shoots at soldiers or US Marines who are trying to defend your freedoms. This war is very similar to The Vietnam War. And try to understand what that war was really like. Then you mayl have a clue what this war is like.
There is something called free speech here in the USA. But go to a Muslim country and see how much free speech you have there. Afghanistan is nothing even remotely like the US. Are you starting to get any of this? And do not think that your question is an intelligent one, because it is not. No one responded to your question because no one wanted to respond. If you persist in still asking that question, you will show how much ignorance you still have. So try to educate yourself about the real world. The question should never have been asked, certainly not by anyone who has any knowledge about the reality of the Islamic world. You should be terrorized. Ask any Jewish person how they feel about Muslims. I know a lot of Jewish people and they are terrorized of them as well.
So I called you a name? Get over it. It was part of the wake up call. But maybe you prefer to not wake up. I said that you were ignorant, of reality that is. That does not mean you are stupid. You say you are smart? So be it. It makes no difference to me. I had to work my way through college. You say you are smart. Fine. Are you going to go to Harvard, or Yale, or MIT, or Stanford? Well, if you are then I guess you really are. You originally said you were being paid to go to school. Now you are saying you are being paid to be at school which is different. So what are you doing? Are you working as an assistant to a professor? That is also different, because that is work. SO are you working at your school? I have known literally thousands of people who have gone to college. It must be some sort of miracle that you are the only one being paid to simply attend classes. That is what you implied after all. But yet, there is no free ride, unless of course someone has inherited a million dollars.
So did you take offense at my calling you out and giving you a wake up call? You should hope that my freedom of speech is not taken away, because yours will be also. It will only be a question of time. So be offended if you want. Go back to sleepwalking if you like. Reality sucks and some people cannot handle it. After all, it is your choice. My choice was to try to wake you up. Are you really offended? By the way, I hope you lead a great life. Are you surprised I said that? God help us all when they come aknockin. They will have no pity on you or me. But I at least will die trying. Will you? Again, it is your choice. Best of luck.
I will gladly answer your questions once mine is answered. Afterall, I asked first.
And no, I said your time here is limited because personal attacks are a violation of the COH. Which means that eventually you will get caught and banned. Free speech does not mean freedom from criticism.
Oh and I don't recall saying that I have taken offense to anything.
Truly Amazing-
Obviously no one has answered that question because everyone has the intelligence not to. And, oh yeah, I am not really interested in you answering my questions. The answers are obvious. SO don't bother. A little too advanced? Aparently too subtle for some. Obvioulsly, you have not read everyting or you have not understood anything that was said. Poor child. But clearly, you have taken offense otherwise you would not have responded. So you didn't have to say anything. Right? Free speech is still free speech. Wouldn't that be terrible? Someone limiting free speech? Or is that pol correctness? Should I simply say Blah Blah Blah? Or Yak Yak Yak? Still too much? Freedom from criticism. Wow, sounds like a really advanced concept. Will the PC police come get me?
Again, good luck.
I see. You don't want to answer a very fair question. You just want to yell at me and tell me that I'm stupid. Gotcha. Well i hope that makes you feel good about yourself. Run out of people to bully after you got kicked out of high school? That's too bad Bruce.
Clearly it is not a fair question. And no yelling here. Couldn't be bothered. Also, several others tried to explain to you, like KK and Travis, and they did not answer. SO you really and truly still, after all this time, do not understand? WOW! And no, that is not what makes me feel good. It would be great if you realized that no one, including several others here, did not even attempt to answer it. Why is that I wonder??? And HA HA HA. Got kicked out of HS? What a joker. That is priceless. Please STOP!! Too bad for you is the reality here. Poor thing. No one answered your question. Poor child. Get over it. And you want to think you are so above everyone else and now you are denigrating??? Are we done yet? Or should I still say BLAh BLAH BLAH? Again good luck. Why?? Because you will need it. Have we sunk low enough for you? If not, keep it up. I mean why not? Still want to play? You must think that every one else is really dumb. BTW, can you sink even lower??? I bet you can. Gonna sic the PC pol on me??? Is this your job?? It's a real pleasure doing bus w you. :)
Go ahead. You know. This is great What a hoot!!! Any more.??? Please don't stop. I might die laughing. STOP!!! STOPPP!!!
I see you take great pleasure in trying to bring other people down. Sorry buddy, it isn't going to work. With all of those assumptions you made about my life, it seemed only right to assume you were kicked out of HS. Seems legit based on what I have seen. You made your assumptions based on literally nothing other than me asking if you would defend him if this person had come into your neighborhood and killed your neighbors and family.
And yes, the whole point of a discussion, is to ask questions and answer them. HELLO. If you do not want to do that, then why are you here?
Not to rain on your parade, but you are getting really BORING. BLAH BLAH BLAH. Are you that conceited so you actually think someone wants to bring you down? Get a life. You're like a dog on a bone. Meanwhile, the human playing with that dog gets bored, lets the dog knaw on the bone, and goes back to something worthwhile. So go knaw on your bone.
Also, originally you made a statement. Later you asked a question and later still that question changed. And you never understood what KK and Travis were talking about. I ask plenty of questions and no one answers. Who cares??? No one is really trying to defend him, except his legal team. Or is that too much? He is being tried in a court of law and is entitled to lawyers who defend him. The guy snapped. Read Travis and KK repsonses.
So go to school and get paid to simply attend classes. You are the only one who ever has done that. If no one responds to you, that's because no one cares. KK and Travis explained very clearly but you just didn't get it. Rave on. This must be Loony Toons time. Again, Good Luck
Actually I am leaving. I couldn't be bothered any more. If you do respond, it will not be noticed. It will go to a black hole. Good Luck.
I said other people Bruce. Not me.
Please do leave. Don't come back. No one will miss you.
mandy, the(alleged) killer deserves a fair trial, then he will likely be sent to military prison for life. but we can't convict him based on "trial by media".
and brucemac, its "gnaw", not "knaw"
We must understand that the military in the end consists of people who sometimes can fail.
As per this person - he needs to be punished as per the law and the truth.
The article states "revenge-filled forays". Revenge for what? For a buddy who was killed? A jilted love affair? NBCNews need to be careful what words they use, as it almost sounds like they're trying to justify his actions.
The slaughter of women and children, unless they are armed, cannot be justified for any reason. War does strange things to men, always has, always will.
Interesting how this lasted 5 hours and we know all the details, yet in Libya there were 7 hours and no info STILL as to who gave the orders to stand down. Nothin' better than transparency in government.
Hey brutaltruth: There was no stand down, Read the latest details on the investigation. Obama won. Get over it.
Yakfit----your mind needs some exercising, take it from a 40 year old power lifter and martial arts instructor. I've been a readin' and still no clear answer, especially from THIS administration who makes excuses left and right pointing blame everywhere but itself although we know the seals that died were painting a target for help that never arrived, and were HEROES who tried against orders to help. Add to that we could of provided cover from various places and resources that would of helped. Interesting timing of the exit of Clinton and Petraeus hmmmm???? And don't worry, we are all well aware of the election results and this lack of leadership on Obama's part does not make ANYBODY SAFER, especially our men and women in the armed forces.....it is only a NON story because it does not fit a drones point of view.....IE YOURS.
3 million less republicans voted (BIG STORY)
unsaid 8 million dems skipped out too making only the truly radical left wing nut jobs and blind drones the true force of ignorance in America. Mandate---not hardly.
well said. We will give justice to those kids, but we will not blame everyone of Americas people for it...please Obama...can we count on you not to do this ....not to blame it on me
your right...He won and that means he has zero faults....no matter what...
..so there is no possbile way for him to have put a stand down order, he was not at work that day. Because the CIC was not on duty at all...and he had no idea what was happening. Obama didnt even know we had Americans there
He needs to face the rule of law as written. But what also needs to come out in the case is motive or induced state of mind. Seargent Bales was serving a 4th tour of combat duty. He did not want to be there. He'd been wounded in an IED attack, and faced an enemy that unilaterally hid among civilians. He'd recently witnessed another life altering injury when a companion had his leg blown off by a roadside bomb.
Seargent Bales was sent after 911 into a seriers of wars designed to protect the US civilians, transportation networks and monumental Architecture from Islamic religiously sanctioned terrorism. We cannot send soldiers into combat against an enemy that does not follow the rules of combat. These soldiers are our neighbors, not target practice for the Taliban firing from behind civilian targets.
Seargent Bales made a calculated statement by attacking what he thought was the real problem. But he likely killed the wrong people. Now he must face the justice for his disobedience, in a military court that only accepts personal responsibility. This is not the Taliban who'd assassinate an unarmed girl for wanting an education.
Seargent Bales should plead guilty, prepare a written and lucid historic explaination of his motives, and accept the consequences. It will serve his name better than lying or pleading insanity or avoiding justice. The guilty sentence will be an honorable, selfless path, with a willingness to accept the consequences, so his statement can and will be examined by the rest of us.
We also need to put on trial a bellicose religion that inspires the Taliban to behave the way they do. Terrorism is the only reason the US was in Afghanistan. The Afghan war was an extension of the Gulf war. I often wonder, why didn't Kuwait send troops to assist? Why didn't Saudi Arabia send troops to assist? Isn't the honor and integrity of Islam at stake? Why does Seargent Bales need to be the one who stands against an enemy who's hatred of us is purely 100% religiously induced.
One only needs to watch the real attrocities unfolding in Syria to understand the mindset. If America supports the rebels they will be blamed for facilitating a terrorist take-over. If they support the Assad dictatorship they will be accused of defending a dictator against "democracy". If they stand back and send food to the refugee camps they will be accused of allowing a tragedy to unfold and be reviled for doing nothing. Americans are the losers no matter what.
There is far more at stake in this trial than killing innocent civilians. If done properly, even the case of Lt. Calley will pale in it's wake.
I am sorry for the families that lost loved ones, and Bales is guilty deserving punishment, but let's make this a trial of nations and religions that will be something for the history books.
brutaltruth
(brutaltruth says) Yakfit----your mind needs some exercising, take it from a 40 year old power lifter and martial arts instructor. I've been a readin' and still no clear answer, especially from THIS administration who makes excuses left and right pointing blame everywhere but itself although we know the seals that died were painting a target for help that never arrived, and were HEROES who tried against orders to help.
(Warthog213 says).... In Libya 30,000 people died as of last year (2011) and you want vengance for American life lost there.... Really dude just go grow up some.... The President is a nonmilitary man so i'm sure his decisions are good ones....
(brutaltruth says) And don't worry, we are all well aware of the election results and this lack of leadership on Obama's part does not make ANYBODY SAFER, especially our men and women in the armed forces.....it is only a NON story because it does not fit a drones point of view.....IE YOURS.
(warthog213 says) Hmmm thats funny because mention armed forces yet this article gives no reference of anyone whom ordered this person to attack these people.... Sounded to me like this soldier was delving out justice in his own way.... And that is not nor will ever will be our way here in reality....
Man does things to man and god has nothing to do with it....
A little town square head chopping Afghanistan justice would serve him well.
I don't agree with that. What he did was extremely wrong. But this man served in our military, and our military should be the ones to bring him to justice.
I have no doubt that SSgt Bales did this, as witnessed by his own statements. The UCMJ will try him, based on all evidence and when he is confirmed guilty of the numbers of murders, may his just punishment come very quickly.
It is sad that civilians, including children, are killed in war, let alone murdered.
agreed jack
sometimes the lines get blurred in combat sadly however that is not the case here.
This soldier it sounded like to me was delving out justice as he saw fit....
Liked your comment jack....
I wonder if these acts would stop if the soldiers responsible were subject to local law? Stoneing?
Reserved for homosexuals under Sharia via the radical Muslim's whom we put into power. What a mess.
And nobody wants to do the same here in the US? : /
I just do not know if he is going to get a fair trial or not. He may have done this but hope his trial is fair. I also seriously doubt of the truth coming from Afghanistan.
He should not have had to serve four tours.
Let's also not forget he suffered a brain injury from an explosion during one of his 4 tours over in these wars. Does it not also seem reasonable to assume that he may have also suffered mentally from that injury? But his doctors gave him the stamp of approval to continue fighting and sent him back into the war. More meat for the grinder!
TheKhanKubla
Let's also not forget he suffered a brain injury from an explosion during one of his 4 tours over in these wars. Does it not also seem reasonable to assume that he may have also suffered mentally from that injury?
If his trial is in Afghanistan i'm pretty sure that temporary insanity plea will fly out the window.... But personally i'd say the guy was dealing out some of his own brand of justice in his mind.... Going rogue and killing women and children, if found guilty here or there this guy is screwed....
It's idiots like this that bring upon themselves the label of "Baby Killer."
Is it because he killed babies?
I am not condoning what he did but we kill babies every day via abortion and there is no outrage. We are a culture becoming desensitized to violence. We devalue human life and when in war the soldiers are told to kill the enemy. Don't forget the children are trained to hate and have bombs placed on them in order to kill and maim the Jews and soldiers as well. You say this guy was sent on 4 tours of duty maybe he just snapped mentally. Our guys have been fighting this stupid war for how long since 911 and they have had no real rest. I am hearing they are so battle fatigued they are even commiting suicide. OB promised our guys would come home during his first watch. He is decimating our military. Why? They need to come home.
Is this really the work of a single deranged soldier or a symptom of a greater problem. The military works hard to dehumanize people in areas of conflict, It makes it easier for the soldiers to fight when they don’t feel their enemy is human. It also speaks volumes about the military disregard for "safe drugs" if he had been found smoking a joint it would have been a discharge for him. He did the socially acceptable drugs alcohol and steroids and they only made him stronger and meaner. Before anyone starts wagging their fingers at me, I’m a veteran and I know what the military does.
Definitely symptoms of a greater problem; most young people join the military for financial reasons, a job...and these people are put into a situation that they have never seen before and do not know how to cope or deal with the situation; DEATH...
They are told what to do, and when to do it...you never hear about the stories concerning the fear these soldiers have of killing and being killed...
Imagine being taken to a place you know nothing about, with no way out but to kill your way out, until someone say you can come home...
There has to be some type of mental/emotional training to help people deal with situations like this one...
This no different than a soldier coming and back to the USA and killing his/her spouse or someone else for no apparent reason...
I am sad because of the death of the children, and I am sad because of the death of this soldier as he will be treated like an enemy...
WAR is no different than gang violence...kill or be killed with innocent people caight in the cross-fire...
Of course, if you remember the true nature of Islam, even children are trained to lie and repeat whet they are told (whether it is the truth or not) to get what they want. There will be a lot of difficulty separating the truth from total fiction in this case. Maybe we should just call it even, since the Afghans we are training to fight the Taliban has now taken to killing their trainers for no real reason. It's a f&cking WAR, folks, and 'all is fair'.
If these people were lying they would've claimed that a whole squad of soldiers came through. But their testimony matches what happened.
And no, all is not "fair" in war. Not in 21st century war conducted by a 1st world power that claims it wants peace, love, and freedom for everybody. Contrary to the famous lines at the beginning of the Fallout games, war does change. It's no longer justifiable to mow down civilians for any reason, be it out of fear, revenge, or a psychotic thrill. We prosecuted Nazis at Nuremberg for the kind of crap that this guy did. I'd LOOOOOOVE for you to explain why it's justifiable for an American to do it today, but not for a German 70 years ago...
And lying isn't the true nature of Islam. It's the true nature of humanity.
Point taken, mathuin. Or maybe we should either fight this god dammed war to WIN it, or get the f*ck out. One or the other. Not that I advocate war, but if you're going to prosecute ANY war, you better dammed well use all your force to the end. This "gentle soft approach" to combat is beyond idiotic, and is the reason why our war record since WW2 has been abysmal.
There was nothing "gentle" or "soft" about our wars since WW2. Hell, parts of Vietnam looked like the moon when we were done with them.
Americans don't like wars with no foreseeable end. And when you're trying to turn a country like Vietnam or Afghanistan into a pro-American, pro-Democracy bastion, it does not help when you slaughter the locals wholesale...
HotTicket: You make a good point, except... What does "win it" actually mean in this case? Does anyone even know anymore?
I liked this comment so much I just wanted to reprint it so it doesn't get missed.... Thx Mr. Bubbs....
Mr.Bubbs
If these people were lying they would've claimed that a whole squad of soldiers came through. But their testimony matches what happened.
And no, all is not "fair" in war. Not in 21st century war conducted by a 1st world power that claims it wants peace, love, and freedom for everybody. Contrary to the famous lines at the beginning of the Fallout games, war does change. It's no longer justifiable to mow down civilians for any reason, be it out of fear, revenge, or a psychotic thrill. We prosecuted Nazis at Nuremberg for the kind of crap that this guy did. I'd LOOOOOOVE for you to explain why it's justifiable for an American to do it today, but not for a German 70 years ago...
And lying isn't the true nature of Islam. It's the true nature of humanity.
War is INSANE!!! Some people can't handle it as well as others. Those who sent him there are guilty too. We should just chalk this up to one fuxked up mess and everybody go home and forget about what they did. Oh, you say how can we ever forget. That leads us back to WAR IS FUXKING INSANE quite doing it. That leads us to they did this and they did that and that leads us back to WAR IS FUXKING INSANE quite doing it. Or quite whining about the results of it.
This is one of the reasons why I don't get all teary-eyed anymore at those commercials and news stories depicting soldiers' surprise or welcome-home parties. These guys go over there and rape and murder and think they can get away with it. We've all heard the horror stories and have seen the photos. I'm not attempting to persuade others' way of thinking...I can look at most of the comments and see that many of you are outraged. And before I start getting attacked with all the verbal threats and bullying, I"M NOT SPEAKING OF ALL THE SOLDIERS. I'm sure there are some good ones scattered in there. But since I don't know whose who, you won't find me standing at any parades waving cute little flags or visiting any or donating any time or money to hospitals for sick and maimed soldiers.
Gemsross, As a veteran I have to set the record straight. No, Most of the soldiers out there would never do anything like this, unfortunately there is always a handful that think they can do whatever they want, they are lead on to believe they are doing so or will get away with it due to the anti-islamic hate that can be found nearly nonstop on such media outlets as Foxnews. The attitudes of the Fox crowd that the only good Muslim is a dead one. Nuke em and so on can be found here. If you don't believe me simply read the posts you see listed here, they go absolutely rabid on any article with anything related to Muslims. Then there is the problem of a handful of so called pastors who are media whores and as such shall not be named.
Gemsross: Interesting timing as we approach Nov. 11.
I have not served, but I expect that the military is like any other large group of people. Overall, most people are decent - but there is always a small minority that comprise the opposite. Your comment is similar to those saying "See? This is why I don't trust latinos, blacks, jews, christians, etc, etc, etc."
This is one of the really nasty results of this incident: one lunatic paints the entire force as psycotic baby killers. To the people we're supposed to be liberating, and even to those at home.
There are far more good soldiers than there are bad ones. And who cares if you show up for a parade anyway, Gemsross?!?!!?!?!
This truly breaks my heart. I am so sorry to the victims and their families, especially the innocent babies and children who were murdered. I'm sure their parents tried to protect them the best they could as they themselves were being shot to death by this animal. I am also very sorry to the survivors, that they had to witness such a a horrible scene. They will probably suffer emotionally for the rest of their lives from witnessing such horror.
I remember one of the victims was a little girl toddler who Sgt. Bales walked up to and shot in the head. I can picture her, a terrified little girl, clinging to her blankie, so scared of what will happen next. I have a three-year-old daughter myself. If someone ever took her from me, I would kill them. And if that was not possible because the person was taken into custody, I would expect justice for the death of my child. That is what anyone whose child is murdered DESERVES.
There is something wrong with a person who can defend Sgt. Bales' actions. Remember who the real victims are here: those who are DEAD because Sgt. Bales murdered them. The children who will never be able to play again, who will never get to say, 'I love you' to their parents again, the children who will never have a chance to LIVE because this monster took them away from their families. Children who will never get to see their favorite toys again or read their favorite book again. They're just like our children. And the parents who will never see their children again or tell them how proud they are of them. They wanted the same things for their children as we do for ours': a happy life of success. They are gone completely now, because Sgt. Bales felt like HE was the victim. So he decided to make these people victims to make himself feel better. He is the criminal, the innocent people he killed are the victims. I HOPE their families get justice in this case. They deserve that at the very least.
This shows how ignorant you are to life in Afghanistan. Children there don't have toys or books- most of them can't even read because the Taliban won't allow education and kill the teachers who try to set up schools. Little boys are raped repeatedly starting at a young age.
And just so you know- I am not justifying the murder of innocents I am just flabbergasted by your total lack of knowledge in what Afghanistan is really like.
Thank you for having the conscience and the courage to write these words. I feel the same way, if it makes any difference.
CourageLovePeaceLive, you are an exceptional person. After reading most of these posts from people condoning the killer's actions, I think the world has a real morbid streak that will never go away.
...and here are the toys: http://www.nhteapartycoalition.org/tea/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/afghan_child.jpg
Nice picture- but that is obviously the picture of the son of the owner of a business. An indoor business at that.
Again- I am not condoning the murder of innocents- what I am saying is that you should read about what is really happening in Afghanistan....educated yourself on the real issues. Don't pull one picture from a tea party website and claim that's evidence that the children in Afghanistan are all happy and enjoy toys.
It's easy for those of you who have never been there to have visions of children playing in their homes and sitting in the laps of their parents reading books. The reality is that the children are more likely to be playing in dirt and sewage, killed by the Taliban, or become a victim of one of their landmines, or taken as a "dancing boy" than they are to have a wonderful childhood like our children in the U.S. get to have.
Thank you Courage, I was beginning to think I was the person in America that felt this way....
God is god, no matter what language or name he is given, and men do things to men and god has nothing to do with it....
There is no one in this world who has a monopoly on the truth, and this is one reason why I (for one) do not accuse others of being ignorant because of one or two words that they write. All Afghan children do not have toys or books, which is true for children in America as well. I really think it is a minor point in the context of the subject. By the way; please excuse me for not posting hundreds of links.
War is hell on earth, and it destroys the mind of many. Killing civilians, especially children, can never be justified; however, this man's mind had to have snapped for him to commit such a horrible act. This is not the first time ,and it will not be the last. We should not have gone into Kuwait or Iraq, and we should not have stayed over one year in Afghanistan. The Oil Producing countries will sell oil regardless of who is the leader. I don't give a damn if the leader is a dictator, a king, a tyrant , or Goody Two Shoes. That's that country's problem. NOT OURS. Protecting oil is the "root" cause of the lives lost - ours and theirs.
Completely right. And now this mentality that if we leave it shows us weak. No it shows we are a different country then those that went in. We have changed a lot in a decade. We need to leave and defend out boarders.
Yeah, we were calling for these people's heads ten years ago but, GASP!, we found out that the war(s) we overwhelmingly supported back then weren't as easy as we thought they'd be.
The country is full of idiots now just as it was full of idiots ten years ago.
you pacifist's dont realize that if they were over here on american soil,they would do the same thing only worse!!! of course this man went off the deep end,but dont give your middle east people a pass,they've been doing this for thousand's year's!! and they're better at it than we are!!yes,this man need's help,but before you non combatant's want to condemn,you should walk in his shoe's,and look thru his eye's! remember....this is war!!!
Mark-418738, There are many Afghans living in the USA, what do you mean they would do it again over here. Shesh grow up, most of the Afghans in our area happen to be Doctors, one works for NASA and several do the job of translating for the US Govt. The doctors hold free clinics in our town, though a few are Christian the majority of the doctors holding these clinics are Hindu or Muslim. That tells me all I need to know. That the New Americans, sadly to say know more of what it means to be American than most Americans by birth know.
Karen Britton well said!!!
Jim well said
Their time is coming, the US terrorists, will fall, and when they fall the world will rejoice at real freedom and not the American dream, which has killed millions around the world.
To be fair everyones view is different and the Islamic view (the radicals I mean) is as blood soaked as the next. No ones view is 100%
What this guy did was evil, anyone who claims "We are at War" is a moron and should be killed off to purge this evil from our world.
"should be killed off"
Wow. Now that's taking the high road.
This Guy probably snapped under the pressure of NOBAMAS new rules of engagement yet we have a COMANDER AND CHIEF that let two AMERICANS DIE WHILE HE AND HIS HIGHER UPS WATCHED and then proceeded to get reelected for another four years of the same npthing They did in the first four yet not a word about that BENGHAZI PEOPLE BENGHAZI hes A TRAITOR and should be tried for his crimes .What has happened to our legal system ? Oh thats right NOBAMA gets to put a few more scumbags into OURS, NOT HIS Supreme Court and SCREW the AMERICAN people some more . Wake up PEOPLE DEMAND JUSTICE FOR THE FALLEN FOUR IN BENGHAZI and bring this traitor to justice before He does what He has set out to do , DESTROY OUR GREAT COUNTRY . Stop giving your hard earned money to SCUMBAGS to LAZY to work for it . The Coal industry has already started reacting to Nobamas New Laws and thats just a start . Watch what this Muslim Marxist does before hes done I just Pray most of its Reversable if it isnt We as a Country ARE DONE and YOU VOTED HIM IN . You Know Who You Are . I say DAMN YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU"VE DON and may All of You suffer beyone endurance.
Get over the election.
Personally I think We should be more worried about getting the TRAITOR out of the W H for BENGHAZI but NBC — MSNBC and All The other Media outlets have found it Easier to Hide The truth about the TREASONOUS P O S in THE W H Than to REPORT THE TRUTH about him and now they have managed to cover everything up long enough to get NOBAMASS another 4b years to run his destructive agenda and WE AS ACTUAL WORKING people GET TO SUPPORT ALL HIS GIMMIE SCUM as our lives just keep declining into NOBAMA LAND W T F U PEOPLE force the senate to take action on NOBAMA FIRST then worri about these trivial things , besides Thhey would do the same even worse to us and will when they get older , sorry Im so cold on this subject but IT IS WHAT IT IS >
Ok Donald Trump changing your name here won't fool anyone.
Ahh yes, you're correct. A conspiracy theory is much more important than murdered women and children. We should focus on that.
I dont know how the two got into my first post where there bwas four but im sure we can figure that o
ut cant we
The act he did was obviously of someone out of his mind. I think it is wrong for the military to seek out the death penalty. They should try and understand the hidden injuries our soldiers have and address that issue more seriously.
PTSD is real. And this guy showed extreme signs of it well before his tour was over. He snapped.
We put down deranged murderers not sick people. And this person was in fact sick.
He needs to be in a hospital not death row.
I am sorry for the Afghan people who have been affected by this act. But sometimes war is hell and you were on ground zero. If you didn't want to be on ground zero then your men and government should of taken control of the Al-Quada threat long before it took up roots in your country.
Rserp1,
Nice justification of the murder of innocent people!
Just remember how innocent the kid is when he is blowing himself up with all the other innocent people.
We are not born with hatred in us. We are taught to hate.
hasn't anyone ever thought about how fast this mans investigation and trial is going? I would hope so. Now here's another tid bit for y'all to think about...
Look at how fast this stuff is going for the Sgt Bales case/trial and compare it to the major that went on a rampage on a military installation, killing many more and wounding many more people. His investigation and trial has been going on for how many years? Only to continue to be post poned because he refuses to shave his beard.
They took their time with that major's investigation / trial to make sure they got everything right. They should do the same for this case as well. With this rush, I say cover up, sweep it under the rug, how ever you would want to say it....is going on here.
Well said Rich - it makes me wonder what's really going on here.
As for everyone who believes Sgt Bales is deserving of the death penalty, do you really know exactly what he was going through? Do we really know what any of our soldiers experience on a daily basis in a country so different from ours? God bless the men and women who selflessly sign up to fight for our freedom.
Of course they will fast track SSG Bales trial and conviction,he is only an enlisted man,use him up then when he breaks throw him under the bus and move on.The Major in Texas that shot all those people will not even come to trial for another year,then will get a DD,and maybe 10-15 years,SSG Bales will be convicted,sentenced to life without parole,or get death.Officer as opposed to EM.I served 22 years,including 2 tours in Vietnam,have seen this s..t go on before.
There's "NO WAY" this guy was a soldier in 'Nam. I'm 56 years old and I was 1 year too young for Viet Nam (I turned 18 in the summer of '74, the year Nixon ended the war).
As to his behavior, I've seen @ssholes like this when I was in the service. In war zones, some guys freak out because the fear and stress just gets to them, some freak out because they use drugs and heavily self medicate to deal with it, and a few (fortunately a very small minority), freak out because they LIKE it (Killing).
This guy is one of those, and believe me when I say that they are some of the most dangerous head cases on earth. I once had a platoon Sergeant who was one of these, and we didn't get along so well. One night while on border duty, I woke up for my tower shift and this freak was sitting next to my bunk and had a loaded 45 aimed right at my head. I then got to hear a 10 minute dissertation on how great if would be if he pulled the trigger. I actually thought I was going to die that night, and what snapped the idiot out of it I'll never know. I've never forgotten it, and now I can spot one of these nutjobs a half mile off.
Putting this guy down is the best thing the military can possibly do. If he ever gets loose he'll kill again because he's nuts and he's addicted to killing. I'm sorry if people don't like or believe what I'm saying, but it's the truth, and I think I know whereof I speak.
I believe your story,but here in Puyallup WA,the local fishwrap said that SSG Bales served Three tours in Iraq,this was his fourth combat tour,first in Afganistan.
This is what you get after too many tours of duty over there. The solution--hire more help.
That won't happen!
Hey Yakfitguy...we have an ambassador and 3 other americans dead and all you can say is Obama won? You are a piece of work and Obama is a lying piece of s**t
The majority of the American people have spoken, Obama is our president. You are in the minority.
Get over your hate and be a part of making this country work.
Of course he was well advised they were children and would not be suicide bombers. No one in the muslim world would be suicide bombers.
He was doing his job.
Kill all those rag heads. You people are stupid. War is hell. You kill or be killed. In VN we killed gooks before they killed us. The US has killed more children than this SSGT ever did. So now are we going to put Bush and Obama on trial too. Surely you don't think that bombs kill selectively do you?
April 30, 1975 did NOT come too soon. A ''war'' fought largely on the one-term LBJ's fabrications and fear-mongering lest the world succumb to ''godless'' communism.
Many WW2 Wehrmacht soldiers( IN UNIFORM)were tried and condemned for the same offenses as this ''hero'' Bales.