elmatador,
You're way off base on this issue, in my opinion.
The killing of superior officers (within the US military) is not something new that just evolved during this Iraqi war.
As far back as Viet Nam, and also in Korea (I've been told), enlisted men have vented their frustrations and fears in the direction of authority, in particular junior field officers who are often unpopular with their men. Junior officers often lack compassionate leadership skills, and are viewed as a "by the books" type of officer, forsaking compassionate judgement skills and making less popular decisions merely to curry favor with senior officers. The military even has a word for when its officers are attacked by their charges. It's called "fragging".
I served during the Viet Nam conflict, and (upon their return to the USA) I saw a small number of officers that were set upon by their own troops. Most of these officers were "90 day wonders", meaning that an enlisted man is left to wonder what the Hades these officers learned in their 90 day orientation. Most were college graduates. Most had poor field decision making skills. Most were "gung-ho". Most had personalities that didn't inspire confidence. Most were simply the type of guy anyone could dislike.
In Kuwait, the situation is much the same. For whatever reason, this soldier allegedly didn't like his officers, and took action against them. There may be the complicating factor that this particular soldier was (in his mind) forced to choose between his ethnicity (and religion) and his sworn duties as a member of the armed services. If the charges are proven, then he made a bad decision, and should be punished according to military law, plain and simple.
As an aside, I'm quite surprised that the military placed this soldier in this situation, unless that soldier was supposed to be performing some very special duties unique to his background (such as communicating in Arabic languages, translating Arabic conversations or writings, stuff like that).
No, this is likely not some military propaganda. It's much more likely to be mostly true.
KJC |
