Comments by participants in the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War claimed that the incident, though grisly, was not that unusual. “Free fire zones” meant that anyone breathing oxygen was a target, so that soldiers landing in the villages that day were free to kill anyone they saw, no questions asked. Only after a low-level GI, Ron Ridenhour, finally got Seymour Hersh to report on the matter did it become a scandal. And again, it must be noted, Hersh’s report includes comments from participants that the incident simply was not that unusual.
Afghan people are furious that Sgt, Bales was extradited from there to stand trial at home. Afghanistan news media is alive with reports that Bales did not act alone, was part of a coordinated effort, complete with helicopter landings and burned corpses. Could it be that that Sgt. Bale’s unit had free fire authority, and that on landing and finding no “militants” that they simply killed everyone there, My Lai style?
If so, there are many possible outcomes. One is the Calley scenario, where Bales would be allowed to take the fall, stay in jail long enough to escape public memory, and then quietly fade away. In this outcome, Bales sits quietly on trial as he is convicted, apparently penitent. News reports circulate that he was troubled, a loner, had combat stress, maybe even find high school buddies who uncover dark secrets about pornography and drugs.
What if Bales wants to put the Army on trial? That could be nasty, as the Army will not allow itself to be exposed (should the Afghan media be giving us accurate reporting). There would be no public trial, and he would be convicted, possibly executed, certainly put in solitary confinement.
Or, he might commit “suicide.” That would be the Joe Stalin solution: No person, no problem.
Hard to know what is true or factual right now. It would be wise of all of us to watch all reporting on this matter from all sources.
Piece of Mindful 
Every brigade had its own my lai in Vietnam according to Colonel something or other who was in charge.
LikeLike
For future reference, please include the name of the logical fallacy you employ as you use them.
LikeLike
huh?
LikeLike
“”By this time, Ira Hunt had returned from Vietnam and, in a strange twist of fate, was leading the Army’s investigation of Col. Oran Henderson, the brigade commander whose unit carried out the My Lai massacre. Although Hunt recommended only an Article 15–a mild, nonjudicial punishment–Henderson was court-martialed. On May 24 Henderson dropped a bombshell, stating that the mass killing was no aberration. “Every unit of brigade size has its My Lai hidden someplace,” he said. The only reason they remained unknown was “every unit doesn’t have a Ridenhour.””
You can go ahead and tell me what type of fallacious logic this is if you want I have no idea. Maybe monty knows.
LikeLike
I misunderstood your comment. I thought you were discrediting whistleblowers.
LikeLike
100% of combat soldiers will never return “normal.”
LikeLike