I don’t think I’m missing the point at all. There was pretty much universal condemnation of the Marines action. The reason there was universal condemnation is that their actions are unacceptable. Their commander thinks so, and so does almost everyone else.

In this particular campaign occupying the moral high ground is very important considering what has gone before. The soldiers on the ground have a duty to make sure that the moral high ground does not fall into enemy hands and this escapade has let the enemy gain yet another foothold. Well done those marines. They have served as useful Taliban recruiters and therefore extended the war and taking that to its logical conclusion, may well cost a few of of their comrades their lives.

Why cannot he be seen to condone this behaviour? If it is as some have said, something that soldiers have done or have always done or is somehow acceptable within a war situation, why not say so? The reason he cannot be seen to condone it is because it actually is unacceptable.

Taking the moral high ground is, I think, a good thing.

Their actions are being condemned from all levels. This is what their boss said.

Marine General John Allen, the top US and Nato commander in Afghanistan, said: “These actions are in direct opposition to everything the military stands for. Such acts in no way reflect the high moral standards and values we expect of our armed forces on a daily basis.”

If he thinks it’s unacceptable behaviour, that’s good enough for me.

The Fighter

Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale in a boxer makes a comeback sort of thing. Based on a true story. Not a fan of boxing particularly but this was excellent. Bale takes acting to another level. Quite wonderful.

Gulliver’s Travels

Jack Black ends up in Lilliput. I wish he would stay there.

It’s a funny thing MASH, I watched it avidly when it was on originally and remember the final episode in the early 1980s.
Recently I’ve watched it on the Comedy Channel and I have to say that it is disappointing. Whether it has dated badly or the humour no longer relevant but I don’t find it funny any more. The canned laughter is hugely irritating and I remember the furore when it was introduced originally – some might need to be prompted when to laugh; I was capable of deciding that myself.

#18

Neither one nor the other. You’re ###ing in the wind !

John Green

Didn’t think I’d get a straight answer The answer is B) hindered then.

How it can do anything else. Do you really honestly think that soldiers only do killing – is that really what modern armed forces are about? Somebody better tell the government, the generals and soldier themselves then.
You’ve never heard of humanitarian or peacekeeping missions? Is it really 2012 not 1914?

The fact anyone think this sort of behaviour is OK tells me all I need to know and why political and peaceful solutions to the world’s troublespots are so much better and why the military should be kept away if possible.

Answer me this simple question. Do you that the actions of these marines have helped the US cause in Afghanistan or hindered it?

Is it a) Helped

or b) Hindered

But we’re better than the Taliban aren’t we?

I understand the sentiment but this behaviour cannot be condoned whatsoever. We are trying win the military battle and at the same win over the Afghan people. Will this help in this battle? No. It won’t.