Heads should roll on this horrendous issue

[Anonymous]

“In Sangin my platoon shared a compound with a company of [Afghan National Army] soldiers and their captain had a different boy there every week,” said Ledbetter, adding that his platoon commander tried to put a stop to it by going to the Afghan captain.

[Anonymous]

Ledbetter’s experience was not an isolated one and the issue seems to have manifested itself in Iraq as well. And while there may have been no policy on ignoring complaints, practice suggests that is what happened, according to veterans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This Afghan child rape thing has been percolating in that indiginous culture for centuries... Did all of you gloss over the Colonial British accounts of the practice from over 100 years ago that were mentioned several times by various posters to this thread? It was a known issue during Bush's Administration, it was a known issue when Reagan was arming Afghan mujahideen, t's been an issue for a very very long time. Reagan wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it during the years that we were using those rapist Afghan commanders to fight a proxy war against the Soviets, Bush wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it in the 7 years that he was in charge of the occupying force in Afghanistan, yet somehow you think Obama could end it overnight with a snap of the finger.... SMH.

Referring to British colonial times seems so long ago, history.

This article is current with current people (veterans and children) and real life vivid testimonials about what was seen and screams heard.

It's not acceptable to say it has happened for centuries so it can continue to happen. It continues because Afghanistan is a lawless shithole they call a country. Make an example of one of the pedophile commanders. It would be great to throw him in one of the prisons in the US. Even the hardened American prisoners who are murders have a code and don't rape kids and the commander would be dead meat, after the prisoners had THEIR way with him. What justice.

Well, okay then - you are more than welcome to march yourself right on over there to Afghanistan and stop them, since you think you have all the answers.

Rolling eyes. How juvenile. Shame on you for arguing child rape on our bases is somehow ok.

No, shame on YOU for stooping to lies yet again. Nobody here said child rape was OK.

This was directed at your ongoing whining, which we all well know at this point is directed at Obama, and sorry, but we aren't having it because it's disingenuous and puts the interests of your partisanship before any genuine concern about those kids. And again, you want to act like you have all the answers, but the fact of the matter is, you don't. And while it disgusts us, it remains that it's a complex issue.

Sorry, but your astonishingly simplistic and naive answer of having our soldiers punch Afghanis in the nose isn't going to magically end it. It's something that has to be addressed at a far more fundamental level within Afghan society.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This Afghan child rape thing has been percolating in that indiginous culture for centuries... Did all of you gloss over the Colonial British accounts of the practice from over 100 years ago that were mentioned several times by various posters to this thread? It was a known issue during Bush's Administration, it was a known issue when Reagan was arming Afghan mujahideen, t's been an issue for a very very long time. Reagan wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it during the years that we were using those rapist Afghan commanders to fight a proxy war against the Soviets, Bush wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it in the 7 years that he was in charge of the occupying force in Afghanistan, yet somehow you think Obama could end it overnight with a snap of the finger.... SMH.

Referring to British colonial times seems so long ago, history.

This article is current with current people (veterans and children) and real life vivid testimonials about what was seen and screams heard.

It's not acceptable to say it has happened for centuries so it can continue to happen. It continues because Afghanistan is a lawless shithole they call a country. Make an example of one of the pedophile commanders. It would be great to throw him in one of the prisons in the US. Even the hardened American prisoners who are murders have a code and don't rape kids and the commander would be dead meat, after the prisoners had THEIR way with him. What justice.

you've pretty much spend the whole entire thread arguing against why the US can't at all at least control what is going on its own military bases and accusing people who express distress over this as obama hate and right wing conservatives. People who speak up for the soldiers you have dismissed out of hand. You sound pretty unhinged and morally unsound.

If you agree with your very own statement that no one supports child rape, you can at the very least agree that this should not be happening on our military bases and the US military should not condone it in the name of "helping out allies" while making the villagers there suffer. so yes. you should be ashamed of yourself. Putting on caps and yelling around the palce.

Well, okay then - you are more than welcome to march yourself right on over there to Afghanistan and stop them, since you think you have all the answers.

Rolling eyes. How juvenile. Shame on you for arguing child rape on our bases is somehow ok.

No, shame on YOU for stooping to lies yet again. Nobody here said child rape was OK.

This was directed at your ongoing whining, which we all well know at this point is directed at Obama, and sorry, but we aren't having it because it's disingenuous and puts the interests of your partisanship before any genuine concern about those kids. And again, you want to act like you have all the answers, but the fact of the matter is, you don't. And while it disgusts us, it remains that it's a complex issue.

Sorry, but your astonishingly simplistic and naive answer of having our soldiers punch Afghanis in the nose isn't going to magically end it. It's something that has to be addressed at a far more fundamental level within Afghan society.

[Anonymous]

you've pretty much spend the whole entire thread arguing against why the US can't at all at least control what is going on its own military bases and accusing people who express distress over this as obama hate and right wing conservatives. People who speak up for the soldiers you have dismissed out of hand.

These soldiers were put into a situation that went against the core of American values and had the children's mothers beg them for help. in fact, your description of them "punching" an afghan soldier on the nose is pretty simplistic portrayal of the situation.

You sound pretty unhinged and morally unsound.

If you agree with your very own statement that no one supports child rape, you can at the very least agree that this should not be happening on our military bases and the US military should not condone it in the name of "helping out allies" while making the villagers there suffer. so yes. you should be ashamed of yourself. Putting on caps and yelling around the place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:you've pretty much spend the whole entire thread arguing against why the US can't at all at least control what is going on its own military bases and accusing people who express distress over this as obama hate and right wing conservatives. People who speak up for the soldiers you have dismissed out of hand.

These soldiers were put into a situation that went against the core of American values and had the children's mothers beg them for help. in fact, your description of them "punching" an afghan soldier on the nose is pretty simplistic portrayal of the situation.

You sound pretty unhinged and morally unsound.

If you agree with your very own statement that no one supports child rape, you can at the very least agree that this should not be happening on our military bases and the US military should not condone it in the name of "helping out allies" while making the villagers there suffer. so yes. you should be ashamed of yourself. Putting on caps and yelling around the place.

Soldiers did report this all the time, as they should. Reports were filed, nothing was done , these people came and went on and off base. Ok - maybe that's the reality of war - nothing could be done besides say things like "we will take it up with the appropriate afghan authorities" - but to fire this green beret who apparently had a commendable record for a push? On a symbolic level, it just speaks volumes which way we fall institutionally on this issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, a bunch of Marines and foot soldiers and field commanders did not suddenly become."ok"with child rape. This came from.the very top ..just make do. Just get results ..dont rock the boat. Work with the people stuffing dollars into overseas accounts and buying young boys. I'm sorry, but this comes from the TOP. If not, why would this case of the green beret not be overturned already? I feel.so sorry for so many of our military members, up to the generals. It is so hard to be the voice in the wilderness. We see the consequence in this trial.

I think it's more insidious than that. We have a President who is much more sympathetic to Islam - probably due to his upbringing - than he is any other religion.

Lemme fix that for ya, "Obama's a secret Kenyan born Muslim Communist"

Dude, don't go halfway on teabagger moron, just cut to the chase and go for the TRIFECTA! We already know ya wanna!

Obama was taught in Muslim schools for part of his life. His mother, father, and grandparents were communists (see "little red church"). Your childhood does shape your adult views.

Obama didn't attend a "Muslim school" while living in Indonesia. For nearly three years, he attended St. Francis of Assisi, which is a Roman Catholic school. He next attended a public school known as State Elementary School Menteng 01 (aka SDN Besuki), which was located in a prestigious district of Jakarta and home to scores of diplomats and high-ranking officials. There were, however, some Muslim students who attended the school, which is what is to be expected in a multicultural society. Despite what you heard on Fox News or read on Drudge, he did not attend a radical Islamic madrassa where he sat on a dirt floor while being indoctrinated by a crazed Imam. You guys need to stop with this divisive, hateful "Muslim" nonsense.

Well, geez, now I'm confused. Obama calls SD Besuki his "Muslim School" in Audacity. AP also published a registration document from Santo Fransiskus Asisi with his religion listed as "Islam".

You got me. It was a terrorist training school. That's why eight-year old Barry was interviewed for admission to the Punahou School in Hawaii after completing the Third Grade at SDN Besuki. Given you are so conversant in Obama's Muslimhood you also would know that he was registered by the school using the last name and religion of his Indonesian stepfather. Keep trying.

You are forgetting that childhood shapes who you are. He's clearly empathetic to Islam - one only needs to look at his actions in office to see this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This Afghan child rape thing has been percolating in that indiginous culture for centuries... Did all of you gloss over the Colonial British accounts of the practice from over 100 years ago that were mentioned several times by various posters to this thread? It was a known issue during Bush's Administration, it was a known issue when Reagan was arming Afghan mujahideen, t's been an issue for a very very long time. Reagan wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it during the years that we were using those rapist Afghan commanders to fight a proxy war against the Soviets, Bush wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it in the 7 years that he was in charge of the occupying force in Afghanistan, yet somehow you think Obama could end it overnight with a snap of the finger.... SMH.

Yes unrealistic to end it. But unfair to prosecute a green beret who did the minimum anyone would do to someone laughing their head off over it - push them. Its not legal here, hasn't gone on for centuries here, and the green beret is from here. Or are we ending his career in the name.of cultural sensitivity? And then we do what we can, whatever we can, to not aid abet and partner in it.

He didn't "push" the Afghan. He beat him up. That's assault and stateside, that can also be a career ending felony. The ends don't always justify the means.

Frankly? There would be outrage from the public if a company let go an individual who assaulted a child rapist and a woman-beater. For every corporation that would let him go, there would be five offering him a job. Guaranteed. That's what separates us from the rest of the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you've pretty much spend the whole entire thread arguing against why the US can't at all at least control what is going on its own military bases and accusing people who express distress over this as obama hate and right wing conservatives. People who speak up for the soldiers you have dismissed out of hand.

These soldiers were put into a situation that went against the core of American values and had the children's mothers beg them for help. in fact, your description of them "punching" an afghan soldier on the nose is pretty simplistic portrayal of the situation.

You sound pretty unhinged and morally unsound.

If you agree with your very own statement that no one supports child rape, you can at the very least agree that this should not be happening on our military bases and the US military should not condone it in the name of "helping out allies" while making the villagers there suffer. so yes. you should be ashamed of yourself. Putting on caps and yelling around the place.

Soldiers did report this all the time, as they should. Reports were filed, nothing was done , these people came and went on and off base. Ok - maybe that's the reality of war - nothing could be done besides say things like "we will take it up with the appropriate afghan authorities" - but to fire this green beret who apparently had a commendable record for a push? On a symbolic level, it just speaks volumes which way we fall institutionally on this issue.

Agreed. Beyond firing. He has a dishonorable discharge which will stop him from exercising his 2nd amendment rights and stop him from voting. It's treated like a felony.

Then there were the three who were killed in cold blood on their base (the soldiers could not carry weapons on their own base) - shot with an AK by one of these abused boys. All military said there's no doubt he was ordered to do it by the commander abusing him - that's how it works over there. One of our men had called his father two days before because he knew he was probably going to die as he had no way of protecting himself, and the men knew the commander was out for them.

The soldier, a friend on another base, tried to alert our authorities and accidentally forwarded the email through his yahoo account, because it was so urgent to get it across. He realized his mistake immediately and notified his commanders. He is now also being thrown out of the military for sending a classified email through an unclassified account (something our former Secretary of State did AND covered it up no less ). The dead soldier's father, who had received the call from his son, is now trying to reverse this.

How our elected officials can sleep at night, I don't know. Conservative media and Tea Party republicans in Senate and House are trying desperately to right these wrongs. It's part of why they want Boehner gone. So for those that don't think the politics of any of this plays in, it sure as hell does.

[Anonymous]

F this administration for not doing more to support our men that we put in harms way in hell holes and bind them so they can't do their jobs and then punish them for being in impossible situations.

I am really mad, will write to my congress person.!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:F this administration for not doing more to support our men that we put in harms way in hell holes and bind them so they can't do their jobs and then punish them for being in impossible situations.

I am really mad, will write to my congress person.!

I don't think we should have sent an occupation force to Afghanistan in the first place. THANKS BUSH. THANKS REPUBLICAN NEOCONS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This Afghan child rape thing has been percolating in that indiginous culture for centuries... Did all of you gloss over the Colonial British accounts of the practice from over 100 years ago that were mentioned several times by various posters to this thread? It was a known issue during Bush's Administration, it was a known issue when Reagan was arming Afghan mujahideen, t's been an issue for a very very long time. Reagan wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it during the years that we were using those rapist Afghan commanders to fight a proxy war against the Soviets, Bush wasn't able to deal with it or put an end to it in the 7 years that he was in charge of the occupying force in Afghanistan, yet somehow you think Obama could end it overnight with a snap of the finger.... SMH.

Referring to British colonial times seems so long ago, history.

This article is current with current people (veterans and children) and real life vivid testimonials about what was seen and screams heard.

It's not acceptable to say it has happened for centuries so it can continue to happen. It continues because Afghanistan is a lawless shithole they call a country. Make an example of one of the pedophile commanders. It would be great to throw him in one of the prisons in the US. Even the hardened American prisoners who are murders have a code and don't rape kids and the commander would be dead meat, after the prisoners had THEIR way with him. What justice.

Well, okay then - you are more than welcome to march yourself right on over there to Afghanistan and stop them, since you think you have all the answers.

Hey rolling eyes, your sarcasm and response is really useless and shallow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:you've pretty much spend the whole entire thread arguing against why the US can't at all at least control what is going on its own military bases and accusing people who express distress over this as obama hate and right wing conservatives. People who speak up for the soldiers you have dismissed out of hand.

These soldiers were put into a situation that went against the core of American values and had the children's mothers beg them for help. in fact, your description of them "punching" an afghan soldier on the nose is pretty simplistic portrayal of the situation.

You sound pretty unhinged and morally unsound.

If you agree with your very own statement that no one supports child rape, you can at the very least agree that this should not be happening on our military bases and the US military should not condone it in the name of "helping out allies" while making the villagers there suffer. so yes. you should be ashamed of yourself. Putting on caps and yelling around the place.

Soldiers did report this all the time, as they should. Reports were filed, nothing was done , these people came and went on and off base. Ok - maybe that's the reality of war - nothing could be done besides say things like "we will take it up with the appropriate afghan authorities" - but to fire this green beret who apparently had a commendable record for a push? On a symbolic level, it just speaks volumes which way we fall institutionally on this issue.

Agreed. Beyond firing. He has a dishonorable discharge which will stop him from exercising his 2nd amendment rights and stop him from voting. It's treated like a felony.

Then there were the three who were killed in cold blood on their base (the soldiers could not carry weapons on their own base) - shot with an AK by one of these abused boys. All military said there's no doubt he was ordered to do it by the commander abusing him - that's how it works over there. One of our men had called his father two days before because he knew he was probably going to die as he had no way of protecting himself, and the men knew the commander was out for them.

The soldier, a friend on another base, tried to alert our authorities and accidentally forwarded the email through his yahoo account, because it was so urgent to get it across. He realized his mistake immediately and notified his commanders. He is now also being thrown out of the military for sending a classified email through an unclassified account (something our former Secretary of State did AND covered it up no less ). The dead soldier's father, who had received the call from his son, is now trying to reverse this.

How our elected officials can sleep at night, I don't know. Conservative media and Tea Party republicans in Senate and House are trying desperately to right these wrongs. It's part of why they want Boehner gone. So for those that don't think the politics of any of this plays in, it sure as hell does.

This really puts into stark relief how egregious Hilary's use of email was and how much people in powerful positions get away with. A person trying to save the lives of his comrades gets censured for using his private email account to warn them as he had no other choice while Hilary gets people defending her and is a presidential candidate with a whole email server that flouted the rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:F this administration for not doing more to support our men that we put in harms way in hell holes and bind them so they can't do their jobs and then punish them for being in impossible situations.

I am really mad, will write to my congress person.!

I don't think we should have sent an occupation force to Afghanistan in the first place. THANKS BUSH. THANKS REPUBLICAN NEOCONS.

Early in the thread I posted that bush has responsibility for getting us into this quagmire and I don't know how he sleeps at night. The current administration holds responsibility for enabling afghan warlords and continuing to jeopardize the effectiveness of our soldiers there and being morally wayward institutionally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:F this administration for not doing more to support our men that we put in harms way in hell holes and bind them so they can't do their jobs and then punish them for being in impossible situations.

I am really mad, will write to my congress person.!

I don't think we should have sent an occupation force to Afghanistan in the first place. THANKS BUSH. THANKS REPUBLICAN NEOCONS.

Early in the thread I posted that bush has responsibility for getting us into this quagmire and I don't know how he sleeps at night. The current administration holds responsibility for enabling afghan warlords and continuing to jeopardize the effectiveness of our soldiers there and being morally wayward institutionally.

Finding warlords who do not participate in child rape may be impossible, which means it would be impossible for the US to be in Afghanistan or to work with the government or people of Afghanistan without enabling them. Which leads to two options: leaving Afghanistan 100% or working with the people there. I would support the administration pulling out entirely, having absolutely no contact with the country or people in it, but it's quite possible that that would directly harm the security of our country. Would you support pulling out of the country, never working with any of the people there ever again, if it meant directly increasing the likelihood of another terrorist attack on our country?