This story makes me want to vomit. This is the type of drama that will be playing itself out in varying degrees all over this great nation of ours as our veterans of this criminal war-for-oil face the fact that they died and killed others so that Americans could drive their V-8 penis-extensions to the Wal Mart located outside their towns to shop for sweatshop fashions and a bunch of other useless shit they don't need while ignoring the crisis that is going on halfway around the world as though it has nothing to do with them.

Thanks so much, Mr. President, for making this world a much uglier place. I hope you live out the rest of your life in a permanent blackout, how else are you going to be able to live with yourself?

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some elementary logic courses would serve you well. a few hours a week on a logic puzzles site might help. i think you'll figure out what i mean, eventually.

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Military Service and Militarism are not the same phenomena. Militarism, such as the Japanese and Italians practised it in the 1930s adn '40s was the substitution of military force and adventurism to steal what belonged to other people. For all intents and purposes the military became the government as well as the arm or the war criminals who were in charge. The same can be said Germany, but the specifics were a little different.
I believe military service is necessary and when practiced honorably and within the rules of law, is a moral pursuit. Bush and Cheney and those who have and continue to enable their morally vicious programs-are guilty of serious of war crimes and need to be forced form office and tried in the Hague. Given the cowardice of the democrats and the mindlessness of the republicans this will not happen. The men and women who signed up to 'protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic...." accepted the early from happening again. We have learned much to our shame and concern that Bush and co. lied us into a war, in oder to seize Iraqui oil, and make their friends wealthy. This is truly morally despicable. Additionally, the right has tried to form a permanent mercenary corp in order to by-pass Constitutional restaraints.
There has been up-precedented criticism from men and women in the military--alas, the political will is lacking to do the tough but moral thing which was impeachment, leaving soldiers with few options.
It is wrong to imply that American soldiers are militarists, though there are certainly militarists in this country, many who have never been in the military, e.g. Dick "I had 5 draft deferments and other priorities," Cheney.
It is further wrong, logically and morally,to imply that having been in the military, one is more likely to rape children. There are statistics on these crimes kept by the FBI: the author of this topic piece should check them out. While she is doing this she might give some thought to the women and men who conduct themselves morally with the above stated intention, and so ensure people have the right to state their beliefs publicly. Had such veterans not done so, there would be no such opportunity.
rhrandall@icehouse.net

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--isn't it just possible that military service had nothing to do with this deranged individual's subsequent actions? You might as well call attention to his shaved head as causal. There are millions of us former military persons who have managed to return to civilian environment, without becoming unglued.
Judging from the nature of this bastard's crime, I'd guess that he's had serious issues well before his introduction to our superb and world-famous killing apparatus.

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The author wants you to believe his military service is the cause of his behavior. But they intentionally chose to omit the fact that while he was in the military he had an exemplary service record. Or the fact that he attended college prior to joining . Or that he was discharged almost two years ago and was working as a painter. Or that he was drinking and doing drugs when this happened.
To say that his military service is the cause of his current behavior is wrong. You can just as easily say it was his college education, his painting job or most probably his heavy drinking and drug use that made him do what he did.
This in no way excuses his actions and he should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
I am reminded of an article a few months back where the author tried to make the per capita murder rate of Iraqi veterans seem unusually high. When in fact, compared to their civilian counterparts, it was 6.5x less.

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