War and Liquor a Perilous Mix for U.S. Troops

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20070313/ZNYT03/703130366/1005/SPORTS0106

In May 2004, Specialist Justin J. Lillis got drunk on what he called “hajji juice,” a clear Iraqi moonshine smuggled onto an Army base in Balad, Iraq, by civilian contractors, and began taking potshots with his M-16 service rifle.

“He shot up some contractor’s rental car,” said Phil Cave, a lawyer for Specialist Lillis, 24. “He hopped in a Humvee, drove around and shot up some more things. He shot into a housing area” and at soldiers guarding the base entrance.

Six months later, at an Army base near Baghdad, after a night of drinking an illegal stash of whiskey and gin, Specialist Chris Rolan of the Third Brigade, Third Infantry Division, pulled his 9mm service pistol on another soldier and shot him dead.

And in March 2006, in perhaps the most gruesome crime committed by American troops in Iraq, a group of 101st Airborne Division soldiers stationed in Mahmudiya raped a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and killed her and her family after drinking several cans of locally made whiskey supplied by Iraqi Army soldiers, military prosecutors said.

[madokie]

1. weak minds and strong drink doesn't mix well

methinks

[MadHound]

2. Well, first off, alcohol should be allowed on base

Because human nature being what it is, the soldiers will find alcohol no matter what. The trouble is that what they come up with will be much stronger, and much more toxic than the legal alcohol coming in from the US.

Secondly, war is hell, and the soldiers need a release of some sort. This no drinking, no gambling, no sex sort of attitude is very Southern Baptist in nature, and frankly the troops need to blow off steam after what they do. Make it legal, keep it under control, provide prostitutes, and let the soldiers blow off steam. You don't allow them an outlet and there will be hell to pay.

These guys are somehow old enough, and mature enough to legally kill their fellow human being. They should be old enough to get drunk and get laid in a safe, legal setting.

[Broadslidin]

3. All Military Invasion Forces Deserve "Bottle Clubs & Bunny Ranches....!

:hide:

[NNN0LHI]

5. Don't these guys ever get any R&R for drinking and fornicating?

I mean is a battle zone the place for armed soldiers to have liquor and women when they want it?

What happens if they get attacked while everyone is passed out drunk with a prostitute laying next to them?

Sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

Don

[Coventina]

7. The problem seems to be that there is a lack of boundaries over there.

What is a war zone and what isn't?

The whole place is a mess.

*sigh*

[NNN0LHI]

8. If they need to carry loaded automatic weapons around with them for safety its a war zone

Pretty straightforward.

Don

[thereismore]

4. yeah, blame the alcohol. nt

[stillcool]

6. Self-medicating...

not surprising considering they can't find help anywhere else. Whatever gets you through the night.