Subject to the Penalty of Death

[dogday]

04/26/06 "t r u t h o u t" -- -- This weekend I received an email from a friend in Iraq. It read, "Salam Dahr, I was in Ramadi today to ask about the situation. I was stunned for the news of a father and his three sons executed in cold blood by US soldiers, then they blasted the house. The poor mother couldn't stand the shock, so she died of a heart attack."
Sounds unbelievable, until you consider this short clip from CNN, which shows a war crime being committed by US troops in Iraq. In this clip, shot on October 26, 2003, Marines are seen killing a wounded Iraqi who was writhing on the ground, and cheering. One of the murderers then told CNN, "These guys are dead now you know, but it was a good feeling ... and afterwards you're like, hell yeah, that was awesome, let's do it again."

This clip alone is evidence of violations of several domestic and international laws. In effect, all US soldiers, up to and including their Commander in Chief, who commit these violations, like the man in the aforementioned clip and the ones responsible for what my Iraqi friend reports from Ramadi, are war criminals.

The US Uniform Code of Military Justice

It is important to note that US policy with regard to the treatment accorded to prisoners of war and all other enemy personnel captured, interned, or otherwise held in US Army custody during the course of a conflict requires and directs that all such personnel be accorded humanitarian care and treatment from the moment of custody until final release or repatriation. The US Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) states clearly that the observance of this Code is fully and equally binding upon US personnel, in whatever capacity they may be serving, whether capturing troops, custodial personnel or any other. The UCMJ applies equally to all detained or interned personnel, whether their status is that of prisoner of war, civilian internee, or any other.

It may be added here that it applies regardless of whether they are known to have, or are suspected of having, committed serious offenses that could be characterized as war crimes. The administration of inhumane treatment, even if committed under stress of combat and with deep provocation, is a serious and punishable violation under national law, international law, and the UCMJ.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article12848.htm