Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Lebowski
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USA Rep Jack Murtha (a former Marine) accused the Pentagon of covering up Haditha. Murtha received all kinds of ridicule from other members of Congress and it just highlights that there are powerful people that are able to influence others into effecting cover ups so as to protect their reputations, etc.
With regards to the previously mentioned Australian SAS allegations, the whistle blower (Capt David Mcbride) was charged. He has pleaded not guilty and is waiting trial.
And then you have President Trump pardoning a war criminal.
My point: these guys know they can get away with it.
Surely, there are those that make the argument that these "are just a few bad apples", or that they are "isolated incidents". But I don't buy that.
It's systemic, institutionalized normalization of war crimes that includes deliberate methodologies, and standard operating procedures used to commit the crimes and cover them up.
This Brereton report and The Age article appears spot on in regard to the rot with SOF and how it has spread and perpetuated itself.
For example, it is known in certain circles how and why Australian SAS operators began carrying hatchets on target. This article makes reference to the SOF culture of hero worship. SAS operators did exchanges with DEVGRU (DEVelopment GRoUp aka SEAL Team Six) and saw them carrying Dan Winkler hatchets, which are used for war crimes. Monkey see, monkey do. Guess what Aussie SAS guys are now carrying around in Afghanistan?