Come on Ron. Nobody here hates the Marines or anyone else. If they shot someone and didn't render first aid in a non-combat situation, it sounds more like the incompetence of a military that has dwindled in effectiveness and purpose under 6 years of a hateful, indifferent CIC
Well, I certainly would like to think that most people don't reflect Richard's public statements (he seems more rational on the subject in his PMs). I fully understand that Richard is trying to "yank my chain", and for this reason I have responded in kind using the ammunition he provides via his own ramblings.
As for not providing immediate medical attention, I was thinking aobut that last night while I was perusing the news stories. Apparently, the marines shot this kid from some 230 yards (which is pretty damn good shooting considering the trajectory of a .223 round).
Now I wasn't there, but assuming that this information is correct, I'm imagining a scenario where (1.) they hit a target and may have thought Hernandez was not alone;
(2.) they likely approached Hernandez VERY slowly and carefully in a diamond or bounding overwatch formation to prevent being shot at by someone else (I would have). Advancing carefully 230 yards in not something done quickly if you're not running.
(3.) once there they may have immediately assessed the severity of the wound and requested a Med-Evac (this would be above and beyond their immediate contact to make a Spot report and inform higher ups of their exchange of fire).
(4). They may have made a sweep of the surrounding area looking for other "hostiles". This assumes they did not know what Hernandez was doing or what his purpose was there. Given the fact that many border farmers have come under suspicion of participating in the drug trade, there would be probably cause to suspect that Hernandez may have been a look-out for a larger operation (again, taking the mission mindset that these marines may have been operating under).
So here we have some marines who have shots suddenly fired in their direction from 230-50 yards. They don't know why or by whom. They aren't sure if they are being targeted by Hernandez as a means to alert other potential gun-men of their location. All they know is they feel they've been spotted and are in immediate danger. As a result, they take out the guy doing the shooting and do immediate assessment of their status and safety before advancing to see who was shooting at them.
All of these things are completely plausible from my perspective. Given the nature of their mission along the border and the well-armed and nasty disposition of the folks on the other side running drugs, I think they took proper precautions (but that's my opinion given my understanding of the facts).
I quite likely may have done the very same thing had I been in their place and I don't think any of us could rationally state that they would suddenly "jump up" and yell "don't shoot!! It's just us US Marines!!". Think about the lead that may have come flying their way after that.
And I can completely understand the attitude of the townsfolk. They may be railing against the marines that shot and killed that boy, but they really blaming the establishment that placed these men in a situation without proper law enforcement support or guidance. And as a result, both the town and the military got what they wanted, an end to those kinds of operations along the border by military personnel (top military leadership consider counter-drug missions no-win scenarios since their troops are distracted from unit training and if something goes wrong, the military is an easy target for criticism).
Btw, my use of the "tu" form was quite intentional since the "usted" form denotes respect for the addressee, which I have a hard time providing to Richard.
No need to respond and I really agree with Hutch that this discussion is getting out of hand and is really off topic. This is all I believe I have to say on the matter in a public forum.
Take care. (btw, I agree with your comments on our "CIC". That's why I left the military).
Regards,
Ron |
