I pee Marine?

[thir]

While I don't condone what they did, let's not forget the many instances of Taliban fighters torturing and mutilating their prisoners, before and after death, so they could post their own videos. I would agree to appropriate punishment for these soldiers if they would agree to punish their own. But I wouldn't expect that, since they want the double standard: "we can do it, but you can't."

To me the answer is the usual: by lowering your own standards, you become what you fight. And you have lost.

[Thorne]

To me the answer is the usual: by lowering your own standards, you become what you fight. And you have lost.

I'm not suggesting we lower ourselves to their standards, but that we require them to rise to ours before acceding to their demands. Discipline the soldiers, by all means, quietly and anonymously. But don't kowtow to the Taliban by releasing their names.

And also remember the precedents you might set. Want to get sent home? Just piss on a dead Afghani!

[thir]

I'm not suggesting we lower ourselves to their standards, but that we require them to rise to ours before acceding to their demands.

Not doing anything is accepting that behaviour.

And also remember the precedents you might set. Want to get sent home? Just piss on a dead Afghani!

I am under the impression that marines are volunteers. Is that wrong??

[Thorne]

Not doing anything is accepting that behaviour.

I didn't say they shouldn't do anything. They certainly deserve some punishment. But it doesn't have to meet the desires of the Taliban, or anyone else. It only has to meet the requirements of the Corps.

I am under the impression that marines are volunteers. Is that wrong??

They voluntarily enlist, yes. But once signed on, they are under contract for a minimum term, which can be extended by the authorities in time of war. They can request certain assignments, but in the end they are subject to the needs of the military. Given the runaround the government has been giving these "volunteers", it's surprising they can get anyone to enlist at all.