This is not a story, this is an editorial, of course some officials will be concerned about this, you can find some officials to worry about anything. Most of the comments have little to do with this story and much to do with the case itself. I do enjoy the Times daily but am getting tired of the editorializing masquerading as news, I can make up my own mind, thank you very much!
3
Parents have ZERO to do with their KIDS joining the USNavy to become a SEAL. Nobody casually joins the Navy, with mom and dads blessing, and then decides 'SEAL Teams is where I need to be. Every SEAL joins with the single minded focus of becoming a part of Special Operations. This trial isn't going to deter a single young man from attempting to become a team member.
1
As a Navy veteran and retired police lieutenant I am appalled by this travesty of justice. In the Navy we looked to our senior NCOs to show us how to do our jobs and establish boundaries for our behaviors both on and off duty. The entire chain of command failed in this case by trying to bury the investigation before it could begin. A 1st Class Petty Officer clearly perjuring himself to get Chief Gallagher off the hook is beyond disgraceful. "I got him with my knife" and eyewitness testimony corroborating that statement should have been good for at least a manslaughter or assault with a deadly weapon conviction. 20 years confinement and a Dishonorable Discharge would have been a more just outcome than the slap on the wrist meted out at court martial. Chief Gallagher's "loyalty" comments on Fox and Friends were a thinly-veiled warning to those who testified against him and any other service member who would dare to report wrongdoing. Perhaps, the fix was in once the Dear Leader began tweeting his support? Chief Gallagher is a sick individual who has tarnished the reputation of the Navy, perhaps irreparably.
16
I can't understand the mentality that would prevent people from reporting war crimes, atrocities or other breaches of military code and morality. What kind of message does it send to young people thinking of joining? That the military is a haven for criminals who don't know right from wrong. I would discourage anyone from joining the military. Seeing the culture and the behavior of SEAL officers and even a commander attempting to cover up Mr. Gallagher's behavior is certainly conduct unbecoming. Our military should be beyond reproach, from the highest levels to the lowest. That the president condoned Gallagher's behavior just shows how far our military has sunk in the mire.
10
My father, a 95 year old decorated WWII veteran, was in some of the worst battles in Germany and has recounted many of the horrible things he saw and had to do. Unlike Gallagher, he does not celebrate or glorify killing the soldiers he killed. He found no delight in the loss of innocent lives. It is disturbing, to say the least, that Gallagher does. Something is wrong with the man.
I have tried to find information about the young girl he shot and killed. I'd like to know her story. Has anyone found information or a story about her.
15
He is right loyalty and watching each other’s back is important. The problem is that when he was off pirating he wasn’t watching his fellow seals back. He should have never put them in a position to have to report him in the first place.
17
What happens after Republicans run him for office.
And he wins.
1
So, the guy got away with murder.
What kind of man poses with corpses....
Thought Seals would be better than all of this.
Guess not.
20
Unfortunately this kind of thing is all too common in war: Civilian deaths, friendly fire killings, fragging, atrocities by both sides, corruption by both us and our allies. The idea of a precision war is fiction, it quickly spins out of control. The fact that something like this ( something happened there because Seal Teams do not turn on each other) can happen in our most disciplined and decorated units means we have been there too long. Unit cohesion is fragmenting under the stress of decade long war. Put a stop to the madness, come home.
7
“Fox championed his cause.” That says it all.
11
Military justice? It's still a 'good ole boys' network. One only need to look at the sexual assault and misconduct cases by commanding military officers...you will rarely hear about them because the perpetrator gets transferred to a new post while the victim/subordinate in many cases, gets demoted, relegated to a lesser job, or booted out.
8
Sadly this verdict came on the eve of celebrating the 4th of July. To me, the lofty principles of the the Declaration of Independence now seem tarnished by this military court. Perhaps Mr. Gallagher should stand on the viewing platform in front of the Lincoln Memorial beside the president and the Joint Chiefs.
5
Gallagher's commanders dropped the ball and looked the other way in order to protect their own skins with no accountability. The same culture, at the border, is at work; separate young children from their parents, throw them in cages, and look the other way. Southern State Prisons, this United States Military Seal Unit, and the United States Customs Border Patrol are three sadistic groups; filled with individuals who bask in the cruelty of others while their victims live in cages. Such cowardice speaks volumes about how morally weak the "protectors" of this nation have become; young children and my 87 year old mother have more courage than this military jury could ever know, or understand.
8
I thought that you were there to defend your country. Sounds like a gang more than an elite military unit, IMO.
"Mr. Gallagher appeared Wednesday morning on “Fox & Friends,” a cable television program that has championed his cause for months. Asked by the host what message he had for future SEALs, he paused for a moment and then said: “To future Navy SEALs, loyalty is a trait that seems to be lost, and I would say, bring that back. You are part of a brotherhood. You are there to watch your brother’s back, he’s there to watch your back — you just stay loyal.”"
4
Over and over again during the reign of Trump, Americans post
“‘ this is not who we are”, and “ we’re better than this”. As far as the rest of us around the world are concerned, this is who you are.
15
Obviously those pressing at the court martial hold to the belief that in the US military, you have carte blanche to kill whoever you like, in any fashion you like. Doesn't much matter if they're civilians or not; in a war zone the object is to rack up the body counts as high as possible and let God sort them out. In the view of the military judges, the only thing Mr. Gallagher did wrong, in appears, was to get caught in the act.
12
Giving immunity to a prosecution witness who then changes his story and testifies that he,not the defendant, committed murder is the most convoluted and clever legal loophole I've ever heard of. It turns my stomach. This could only happen when an immoral liar is acting as Commander in Chief. Trump hasn't said one word about the drowned man and daughter found attempting to cross the Rio Grande, but he jumped all over Gallagher extolling his virtue as those they are bosom buddies. Well, they are peas in a pod all right, but only because they both lack a moral core. No one who reads about this case is going to respect military justice. I certainly do not.
20
This is Rape of Nanking style militarism. The killer was “ OK with shooting women” and witnesses reported he “fired into a crowd of what appeared to be noncombatants multiple times" and was reported for "shooting randomly into buildings with known inhabitants"
He averaged three kills a day over 80 days, including four women. In one incident he shot of a 12 year old girl in the stomach - for random sport. His post with a dead 15 year old boy: “Got him with my hunting knife"
That boy or girl did not choose to be born in Mosul, they did not choose their parents, their politics, or the situation they were in. To hear these stories is to feel the pain it. An indescribable amount of pain for those of us who've had such losses....precious loved ones lost. May God save us all and protect us from the Special forces and those who believe in "special" people.
29
Making a comment using my real name is probably the height of foolishness. But here it is. Based on what I have read, gallagher should have been dishonorably discharged His actions were a disgrace to his uniform and our country.
For the record, I am a ww2 veteran who served in the Pacific campaign during ww2.
38
@Pete Kantor Gallagher made a media spectacle of the hearing, enlisting the aid of disgraced Rep. Duncan Hunter whom advocated for him and even claimed he had taken multiple photos of his victims as if for sport.
Yes, I agree he should have been dishonorably discharged and sentenced to serve time in Leavenworth.
13
Having never served in the military, I find it hard to judge whether the constant fear, fatigue, death and maiming could drive me to do such a thing as stab in the chest a helpless enemy captive. Even if Gallagher was guilty, I feel ill qualified to judge the appropriate punishment for a crime committed under such insane circumstances
But I can very comfortably judge a military legal system which, back in the safety of the USA, contrived a scam in which one Navy SEAL member was granted total immunity when admitting to premeditated murder, in order to free a comrade accused of murder, who at the very least committed the lesser crime of aggravated assault.
Americans should no longer wonder why they are increasingly hated as a nation, even while they are envied for their wealth and power.
32
@Doctor A Best post on here, as it looks at the case from all angles.
@NYT
May I recommend this as an NYT Pick?
1
Winston S. Churchill — 'We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.'
Now, the only reason the Chief was convicted of having his picture taken with a dead fighter, was, there was a picture of him with a dead fighter.
Not much evidence after that.
4
Compare this to Chelsea Manning’s treatment. She is in prison even now.
Reveal war crimes, go to jail.
Commit war crimes, go free.
33
@Akahl Two wrongs do not make a right. Chelsea Manning is in prison where she belongs. Gallagher should have joined her there with a life sentence for cold-blooded murder. Both broke laws; only one was justly convicted and sentenced.
4
@Akahl Absolutely right.
Chelsea Manning who never ever even hurt a fly nor harmed any human being sent roting in jail and this Seal is freed and judged "Not Guilty'.
It is the world upside down indeed.
3
Deterring reporting is the whole point. A trust had been broken. A medic fell on his sword to protect the horrible truth of war. This is a culture not an incident.
16
I first heard about this case on The Daily. I would again like to hear Michael Barbaro's take on this verdict. This judgement is quite surprising and totally unexpected. They had reliable witness and solid evidence, I can only imagine what unfolded in the courtroom.
7
how does this not reach the international standard of war crimes. in which case Mr. Gallagher, best not leave US soil or we'll see you in the Hague
12
There seem to be little justice to be found in the US.
18
Regardless of where you stand on the issue of his guilt or innocence....
.... this effectively ends his career as a special operator and as a Navy Chief. And I doubt that some of the Seals will ever agree to serve with him or under him. Some will for sure.. because some of them are pretty primal animals at times.. but those with actual integrity and honor.. simply will not serve with him.
I'm sure he will end up in some private paramilitary firm and I bet we hear about him again in the future... as the hand of some paramilitary war crime.
15
@Chuck I bet Trump tries to find a place for him to run for Senate. Another pawn.
5
The corpse photo and the tweet about the hunting knife didn't cut it eh..?
12
I’m wondering how his wife can so zealously support such a vile man.
14
@Vanessa Maybe she is convinced of his innocence...
We should honor his service and bravery. We should regret that the verdict and sentence were so light.
3
When the Commander and Chief makes it clear that he wants someone to be found not guilty, I imagine it must be hard for military judges and juries to find otherwise.
12
@itsmecraig
And altogether wrong. But we live in Trump’s America.
5
I believe this case shows how war deeply corrupts all who participate. I also believe that there is a serious conflict of interest in the military having a separate justice system than that of all Americans. It simply could not possibly be unbiased.
15
The truth is all of us are paying these guys to kill guys for us,
so no one should be surprised or unduly upset when things go awry.
7
@A. Stanton We are paying these guys to protect this great nation on American soil, not to go in all countries and be the police of the world.
3
Americans like Gallagher will commit murder in cold blood, brag about it on social media and get away scott free without accountability or punishment.
The community against which these crimes are committed will generate more revenge killers who will kill average Americans like us who have nothing to do with this monster
America will call these revenge killers terrorists and send more people like Gallagher in the name of military and kill more civilians in a far off land.
The republican war mongers and their cronies will make a lot of money in each cycle of this. The stupid people of America celebrate these killers as heroes and honor them. Repeat the process again.
That’s our country now In a nutshell.
34
@Surya In fact, it has been your country since the Vietnam War. Those of us who are old enough, and interested enough in politics, know that this is not the first time, only the most recent occurrence. Of course back then there was no social media, and yet the outrage at the Vietnam involvement was just as big. Now, Kennedy was a Democrat. So was Truman, if we want to include the Korean War, which we really should. My point is that every war will produce actors who will go the extra mile and we mostly won't hear of it.
3
Regarding Trump, his actions are all about trying to lock up military votes for 2020. His problem is that most military men and women have a strong sense of justice and right from wrong. I don't believe the president will gain anything from this show boating. As to the Chief, I trust the military justice system as it works well most of the time.
4
This one reminds of a case in Massachusetts (?), where two men were accused of a murder. One of them agreed to testify against the other in exchange for immunity. On the witness stand, he confessed to being the sole murderer.
I think they both got off scot-free, just like the Chief Gallagher and his buddy here.
8
This guy should have gotten busted to SR, and maybe he still will. Let's hope homicidal jerks like this get their due.
Also, a point of terminology: "anchor pins on his collar signifying his rank" is wrong. Enlisted men do not have "rank." They have rates and ratings. Officers have "rank."
The only accurate articles I've seen recently about the U.S.Navy have been by ProPublica. Check them out.
6
What am I missing here? Gallagher himself posted on social media that he killed the Taliban fighter. He boasted that he had stabbed him and killed him and then posed for a photo. I personally think this guy is a ticking time bomb and find the outcome to be a real travesty of justice. So now military justice become an oxymoron.
38
@Kathy Garland:
Indeed!
I've been following this case from early on, and were this a civilian court Gallagher would be looking at a Life sentence -- if not the death penalty (depending upon the State, I believe).
Someone please tell me how anyone shoots a young girl, with a high-powered sniper's gun, instantly killing her -- with collaborating witnesses --- is not commiting murder???
More Old Boys Club Routine: circle the wagons and admit absolutely nothing. Classic, and tragic.
When even our vaunted military stoops to such uttery callous essentially endorsing such behavior (prima facie, as per the verdict), we've taken a large step towards Fascism.
Trusting 90% of our current congressional, senatorial and executive branches is naive; not being able to trust our military is catastrophic and brings us far, far closer to self-destruction as a viable republic.
Sad.
Bigly Sad.
8
The French Foreign Legion would never behave this way- They are the gold standard of special forces. The US should take lessons.
9
@Aaron:
What to you say about a soldier -- a trained marksman no less -- chooses to shoot and a child from great distance, where no feasible harm was imminent?
When our society endorses such monstrosities it has lost all credibility, and has become sick, even unto ourselves.
This degree of willful murder of an innocent ought to be seen as a War Crime.
Sad.
Bigly sad.
7
This is so disturbing that he got off. It took great courage for the other seals to expose him and they pay the price. I wonder what other horrible things he will do.
30
@Sally L.:
His wife best better triple her devotion to her children -- and specifically their safety.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that a man virtually hard-wired to be a killer, enemy or not, will likely do so again. These are danger/risk addicts, and mayhem and killing is their most prized elixir.
Once out of the unique camaraderie, which becomes essentially embedded -- purposely -- over the course of years, there no longer exists such any accountability, ergo the comes a human being capable of killing over trivial and assumed "threats".
His wife, probably having drank the Kool-aid of denial, can't see the train a' commin'.
I hope I'm wrong.
5
I give credit to the jury; they followed the law. The corpsman's testimony casts reasonable doubt. You don't get to convict based on accusation; our standard is "beyond reasonable doubt".
We ask SEALS to go in and accomplish mission in unimaginable circumstances, and against enemies who wear no uniform, and are all about using atrocity to enforce rule. Even if Gallagher did what was accused, this is an enemy for whom the rules of civilization itself, let alone the Geneva Convention, are meaningless. Those who pontificate in the Op-Ed page while sipping their latte's cannot fathom how far from their own petulant existence SEAL teams fight.
You cannot apply the rules of civil society to a fight with ISIS.
8
And we thought "Abu Ghraib" was sick and the trial a mockery of justice? it only gets worse. Militaries without justice are in danger of becoming rogue; they foster fear, distrust and abuse to maintain their charade of a trusted military. P
14
The jury has spoken but this is a case where one gets the same sick feeling that many of us had when O.J, Simpson was acquitted. Chief Gallagher boasted about killing his victim. Hopefully, anyone who judges him in the future, will deliver justice.
24
A court heard the evidence and Gallagher was found not guilty. Yet some, who have no direct knowledge of the facts, find him guilty. This is one more example of agenda driven zealots, totally ignorant of legal processes, to determine guilt based upon media reports. These are the same individuals who claim that Russia influenced Trump’s victory despite numerous investigations that produced no competent substantial evidence. Thank God that we still have a system of justice or else our freedom would be based upon progressive star chambers and quick trips to the public gallows.
5
this is grotesque but not unexpected. Remember My Lai? Nah. much easier to forget it & go on talking and talking and talking about "heroes".
20
@JohnA:
ABSOLUTELY.
Our once noble nation is ever more quickly deteriorating to a collective entity dreamed up by George Orwell.
Sad.
Bigly Sad.
4
These short undignified so called tough fighters who become leaders of men should not be allowed near any battle field so they can prove their manhood. Dignified intelligent soldiers who fight for the days or weeks for an
objective in the realities of war should not steep to the ruthlessness of an animal .
3
@Richard:
Absolutely spot-on.
That a large chunk of our populous will see no harm in shooting a young child from far range with high-powered weapons it the ultimate proof, prima facie, that our citizenry is ever more bloodthirsty, and in direct proportion does our country slide into moral and spiritual decay, as with Ancient Rome.
Sad.
Bigly sad.
1
If Gallagher is truly a misunderstood hero, gleaning the support of even the president, he must be magnanimous in his heroism to accept the accolades of a draft dodger whose bone spurs have never prevented him from walking 18 holes most weekends.
The only binding ties between Gallagher and Trump emanate from culture of structural violence and the basest instincts that both have demonstrated. When Trump argued that “America has its killers too,” it was Gallagher and his ilk that he was waxing about. For his part, Gallagher must bask in the support of someone who so precisely understands the exquisite joys of brutality and callous disregard.
This is what the rest of us are up against: a terrifying fraternity of psychopaths who will kill, torture, maim, assault, demean, humiliate, denigrate, rape, betray, terrorise, trample, starve, drown, stab, suffocate, snipe, prevaricate, sully, stain, insult, and desecrate, in order to bolster their toxic, cowardly, egos and boorishly protest that it is in our defence Somehow, we have to live alongside them, even be led by them in war and peace, while no one seems equipped to stop the demented juggernaut that they represent.
One can’t elect a navy chief, only consign him to ignominy, dock his pension, when justice fails. We can, however, impeach a president who exalts a serial killer.
16
This is rich. Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher beats a murder and attempted murder rap, but is sentenced for "posing for inappropriate photos with the corpse of an enemy fighter."
So the standards in the military court room have sunk lower than Moby Dick.
Sad and pathetic don't even come close to describing how bad this scenario is and looks.
20
@Marge Keller:
How about, "tragic", for this utterly incomprehensible verdict speaks loudly to the ever faster moral decline of our society.
The sun is truly setting behind our self-inflicted pathos.
Sad.
Bigly sad.
2
This like accusing a NASCAR driver of reckless driving in the Daytona 500. Political correctness, i.e, "we don't want to make the enemy mad at us" is sillier than a conservative communist!
2
I'm not sure whether Gallagher or his Commander-in-Chief is a worse representation of this country.
21
@Gerry Dodge:
They're two sides of the same toxic coin.
Here's what we've become:
Stupefyingly, a *minority* of our population actually elected a buffoon -- a racist, egomaniac narcissist, rapist and --- far and away -- the worst President we've ever had (that's quite an accomplishment!); a manchild who avoided actual military service due to "bone spurs" (?!?), was a buffoon on television, created a fraudulent "Trump University", and has such keen business acumen that he couldn't even keep casinos from going bankrupt.
Were these not enough, he is devoid of the decorum required of any world leader; his devotion to Twitter -- wherein he not only rabidly lies, but at the same time unwittingly exposes his own crassness and utter ignorance of how governments work -- as well as a personna that can only be described as "pathetic."
Sad.
Bigly Sad.
4
@James I honestly could not have written anything better about the state of this grand country and the man who is its president! Thank you!
2
What a travesty!
6
A majority of the panel should have been special operators. They would be able to discern what behaviors are appropriate. It is very hard to imagine non combatants as "peers".
I can't imagine his accusers will have an easy time, going forward. Others may be reluctant to serve with them.
Fair winds and following seas, Chief.
2
@Mike What branch of the military did you serve in?
1
@Brian The US Navy.
1
@Mike. Me too, 1968-1972.
All that we hold dear in this country, and celebrate on days such as July 4th, can be acclaimed because of our history. I applaud our veterans like my father and his peers for standing up to fascism and oppression during WWII. They were looked to as liberators with a moral compass that was...simply American.
To have individuals like this man destroy the integrity of those that have served, those serving, and those that wish to serve...is appalling and in my estimation...un-American.
14
I'd really like to know what this was about. Premeditated murder in a war zone used to be a euphemism for situations that were totally absurd. My Lai aside, situation makes me think this trial was a bit absurd.
6
This is America. We don’t jail war criminals, we jail the people who reveal war crimes.
7
So in 1987 I got busted back from E-6 to E-5 fined half a month for four months and to hard labor for 90 days and restricted to the limits of naval station San Diego for getting high. Fast forward to now and you get basically the same thing for murder. Wow strange world we live in glad I quit getting high
17
Trump congratulated him on the verdict.
Gallagher himself spouted out how he was a “ victim “ of the judicial system.
How he had “suffered “.
Two men who have totally lost touch with reality.
22
@Susan:
Excellent observations.
In Trump's case, in particular, it's extremely doubtful he's EVER had any genuine brush with reality.
Gallagher was transformed into a cold, killing machine, cloaked behind the patriotism represented by our Flag.
Sad.
Bigly sad.
1
I suspect strongly that nobody posting on this subject was in the courtroom and saw most of the trial. And the press coverage of the trial was for most of us very limited.
Some quick impressions based on very limited information about the trial and the accusations:
1. When another witness says he killed the victim, it is hard to convict the defendant of murder.
2. It is hard to believe that a number of SEALS falsely accused Gallagher of murder because they did not care for his leadership style.
3. Gallagher did not take the stand (though certainly his attorneys advised him not to do so).
4. One can believe that both the accusation was correct and the verdict was correct.
6
@Richard:
And one can believe in Santa Claus, in little green men on Mars, and that Jimmy Hoffa is alive and a barista in a Starbucks.
Or, being aware of the self-admission of having killed a nine-year-old girl with a sniper's rifle -- a innocent human being posing zero danger to anyone -- is somehow fine and dandy.
Inconvenient truths are so, well, inconvenient, aren't they?
3
Trump's comment is the most appalling aspect of this whole case. What did he mean when he said he was glad he could help? Did he influence or try to influence an impartial court? What was the help that didn't amount to obstruction?
22
@Richard Usen I’m not positive but when I was restricted to the limits of naval station San Diego I was confined to the enlisted barracks on what was called the dry side. When trump had the “chiefs” confinement modified I’d imagine he was released from the brig and allowed to be in the chiefs barracks on that side as well. He would have access to the bowling alley and two clubs that he could have a cocktail or ten at. Also as a chief he could walk off base thru the Christ’s club and go see his wife or whoever else he pleased with very little chance of a problem. It worked for me thirty years ago
1
@Richard Usen:
Whatever you do, DON'T LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN . . .
2
Based on the reported trial evidence, a not guilty result for the most serious charges seems right. More problematic is what the verdict means. Is it a message that it's OK for our professional war fighters to gun down civilians for kicks, and attack wounded prisoners, and boast about it? Or that any service members who dare to blow the whistle on such abuse are pampered, whining millennials? For the sake of our military and its effectiveness as a fighting force, hopefully not.
7
@Beantownah:
Your comment seems entirely self-contradictory: first, based on the evidence, a "non-guilty result", then, "is it a message that it's OK . . . to gun down civilians for kicks (and attacking wounded prisoners -- and boast about it)?"
The crystal clear answer to both of your poised is questions is "YES".
That the verdict was so surreally tepid in its consequences is indicative that even in the supposedly august military court system a Good Old Boy's club still operates, with toxic results.
Sad.
Bigly sad.
1
Did narcotics play any role in Mr. Gallaghers behavior? Narcotics certainly have played a role in military history and represent another paradox in how we think about the War on Drugs.
3
Gallagher committed and intended to commit murder. He violated the chain of command. Why did the members of the the courts-martial acquit him? What were their motives or reasons. I hope that an investigative reporter like the late Joe McGinnis will look into this.
7
I believe this incident did not happen in pitched battle or anything near that. For that alone it was an ignorant verdict.
16
". . . a decorated Navy SEAL platoon leader [found] not guilty of war crimes including murder and attempted murder, [but was] sentenced for posing for inappropriate photos with the corpse of an enemy fighter."
That sentence seems more appropriate for "The Onion"
If this wasn't so tragic and disgusting, it would be almost laughable.
35
The higher ups are paying attention?
And still an incompetent investigation and prosecution and seals free to issue death threats to shut up honest reporting to superiors?
Seals free to lie and mutiny according to the defense?
A seal can get on the stand and per reporting say sure he stabbed the guy but I mercy killed and never thought to tell anyone?
And this was considered proof of innocence by the jury?
Real operators you got there. The sorts of people who should be trusted on who and when to kill.
Who you are guys. Who you are.
Keep your eye on what matters. This guy can have Duncan’s seat and Trump may make him secretary of navy. Sure. But what matters is hat the seals have that tv show and those action games. Players baby. Players. The Navy can strut.
Way to run a ship. Honor is so World War Two.
27
A military jury did not agree with Lock Him Up. That should mean something to the former US Marine. The man was found guilty of one minor crime and he had already spent 9 months in the slammer. It is time to let this man contintue with his Navy career. It is likely though he will voluntarily end it and now at a reduced retirement. Enough has been extracted from this man.
6
@Bian
He violates all his solemn oaths. Sticks to prison gang ethics. Raps himself in the flag when he gets in trouble for violating solemn oaths.
Okay you say. Poor guy has suffered.
That is the Navy to you.
Just another sailor.
Good to know. Good to know. Not the navy I learned about but to each his own.
5
Let this be a reminder to those who wish harm to The United States of America.
We will unleash these types of men on you, and they will get away with everything they do to you.
20
@Brad
Or it says that this country has become one step less exceptional by not following its own high standards, so whatever nasty thing they do is okay.
3
This is a reminder to all non-conservative Americans. We ‘conservatives’ do not care about the Constitution, American institutions, rule of law or morality and probably never will.
10
@Brad Hello from Pakistan. sorry bud, news here is that Americans are looking ways to run from Afghanistan. Reemergence of Taliban and even more hardened is imminent. Not sure what your "reminder" has achieved?
I guess killing innocent or firing your weapons at people who do not look like you makes you feel good? Well, Merry Christmas.
6
Seems to me to be exactly the kind of behavior that deserves a 'dishonorable' discharge.
36
@Greg Charest:
For murder(s), that's a sickendly light punishment.
LIFE would have been appropriate.
Our soldiers now, prima facie, have been given carte blanc to shoot at whatever they want, without fear of judicial repercussions.
This is terrifying.
1
Biased and ignorant verdicts like this gives America a bad name.
No religion, culture, or law in any country allows anyone to be disrespectful to a corpse of deceased / murdered / killed individual. If any one does what he was charged for shows the classless nature and zero morals of a shameful human being. Those ignoring his acts are equally guilty. Shame on him and people like him.
54
@Hope786:
Exactly.
I'm wondering how long his wife will actually hang in, by his side, fervently defending her husband's crimes-against-humanity behavior?
She best better not get into any arguments with at home behind closed doors: her husband's actions were pathological -- thrill killings.
And this verdict has just given him a green light . . .
Sad.
Bigly sad..
1
Another one of Donald Trump's "finest".
Good, you keep him, Donnie, because I'll never let him anywhere near me and mine.
Tomorrow is the Fourth of July.
Every year the cheers get a little more hollow.
58
I know it's bad taste to laugh at tragedy, but the irony in this decision leaves no recourse but to view it as farce. It almost feels as though Gallagher is being punished for providing evidence of his behavior, rather than the behavior itself. My sympathies are with the men under his command who risked a great deal to report him, and now will suffer the consequences of their moral courage.
70
this last minute confession by another person was a scam to get him off. he is guilty of murder and because of hate for the enemy, justice was set aside.
his attitude as seen on camera shows an arrogant man who seem to consider himself above the law, as does our current commander in chief...his statement in the article.."that he has bounced back from his mistakes"..the murdered man did not bounce back.
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@george plant;
This should be a glaring warning to anyone and everyone who comes into contact with this man -- particularly his family: should a "domestic violence" episode occur, it's virtually impossible those who trigger him will the experience. I fear for his wife and children.
Sad.
Bigly Sad.
He dishonors everyone that has ever worn the uniform, and taken the Oath.
Period.
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@Phyliss Dalmatian too true!!
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@Phyliss Dalmatian:
EXACTLY.
2
Many years ago, when I was a young sapper with the British Army, I was tasked with searching a corpse that was suspected of being booby trapped, a common enough event in that particular conflict. Someone took a picture of me while I was doing it, and, to my horror, it appeared that I was grinning while looting a body, while, in fact, I was grimacing in terror and revulsion as I searched for any devices under the body which was decomposing and rank. This earned me the woeful sobriquet of “Maggot” which stuck for longer than I would have liked. I sought to have the photo and the negatives destroyed which the Army complied with.
Having been in combat, having seen its tragedies, I know that collection of morbid souvenirs is a soldier’s way of defying death at the expense of others who weren’t so lucky. That being said, to pose with a body of a dead teenager, especially one that has been horribly wounded and in need of medical care, is grotesque. These SEALS should have done everything that they could to save this boy instead of torturing him in his final agony. Without doubt, these men, in their bloodlust, cowardice, and cruel inhumanity, have sealed the fate of many future Americans who fall into enemy hands.
I know that I wasn’t trained, encouraged, or permitted to engage in atrocities, but I wonder if modern soldiers or police are? The willingness of Trump to pardon apparent butchers, who engage in routine violence, is indicative of official sanction of gross misconduct.
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@Marcus Brant do you take there word for it that the boy was ISIS fighter? Was this kid walking around with sign that "I am ISIS"? Their act destroys any credibilty to their claim.
As Afghans tell here in Pakistan, American forces justify killing innocents by claiming that they were Taliban, ISIS etc. with zero proof.
Population does not turn against because they dont like them, in fact it is factors like these.
Unfortunately, for Pakistan and citizens of Afghanistan American defeat is imminent and reemergence of Taliban even more hardened is fortnight away.
5
@Marcus Brant:
ABSOLUTELY SPOT-ON comment.
Yours is insightful, morally sound, and a much needed klaxon warning who comes into contact with men like this that any instant -- a "misinterpretation" in your actions can "justifiably" result in losing your life.
Don't believe it?
Spend some time with Vietnam vets. They too endured horrid atrocities while fighting an utterly pointless war, an returned home very different men indeed. How could they not???
War never truly ends, for most vets who've served on the front lines.
Sad.
Bigly Sad.
1
Not a good day, when Navy SEALs can murder people with impunity. They're ruining a reputation earned in the Bin Laden raid, the rescue of Captain Phillips, and countless other missions. The few brave SEALs that testified honestly and broke rank will now be ostracized and retaliated against.
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He should at least receive a dishonorable discharge and a loss of all military benefits. He seems like a pretty dishonorable person, after all.
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@Perry Brown:
I fear for his children . . . and his wife.
War is an awful place for human beings. However, the extreme conditions people face in war DEMAND rules, and a code of justice. I can see how it gets out of hand, and anger can trump justice in a fire fight. I'm a former US Marine and the Code of Conduct and the honor and pride of the service DEMAND you do serve with honor. Even under fire.
You owe your fellow servicemen and the citizens of this country respect. Even your enemy deserves respect.
IMHO justice hasn't been served in this case. Gallagher must be dishonorably discharged to uphold the proud honor of our military. We must hold our service people to a high standard. Even if our president, the draft dodger, does not.
120
@Lock Him Up - You may be a Marine but are you a combat veteran? My guess is that, unlike me, you are not. Additionally, for what crime do you want him dishonorably discharged? A jury of his peers found him not guilty so are we to suppose you have more information about the case than they did that would justify a conviction?
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@Lock Him Up,
Good Job Marine,Unfortunately we have a Would be Thug in office.If the thing stinks or the leader is malice,Individual One is in.
Thank You,
Jerry Fitz
6
Yet another disturbing episode in American military history and human cruelty. Honestly, it is both discouraging and sickening to imagine.
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@Raul Campos A court presumes innocence until until/if a defendant is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant was declared not guilty. But that's not the same as saying he's innocent. It's just that the case did not meet the standards to prove guilt in a court of law.
15
@C. Davis We should not have been in the war at all, but that was not this man's decision. He fought valiantly and served his country. He was tried by a military jury and found not guilty of the serious charges. That is enough. He is done anyway. Yes, war is horrible, but this man deserves to move on and so does this nation.
1
@Raul Campos
Yeah, found "innocent" based on a contrived, most likely phony, confession. The man is a disgrace to anyone who has ever honorably worn the uniforms of our armed services. But you Trump supporters will excuse Gallagher's heinous actions like you do everything else sanctioned by the draft dodger currently serving as this nation's commander-in-chief. Oy, vey!
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