[Hoot Gibson]

And you think this was done because we are a civilized country? This was done because people in fancy suites have no idea what its like to be in combat or a war. Its stupidity to treat are soldiers as if there criminals when there out there every day fighting for each other and our freedom. You think its right to fine someone 5000 and kick them out of the military because he wanted to save his comrades? That doesn't make your country civilized. That makes them ignorant.

Yes, I think that Col. West did the honorable thing. The code for the treatment of POWs was not written for the benefit of the suites[sic], it was written because because the US wants its own troops who are captured in war to be treated humanely. I have never heard or read a quote where Col. West has ever complained about the military justice system. He knew that his actions would have consequences and he acted in the best interests of the men in his command and voluntarily accepted those consequences.

I am not a lawyer but I am very familiar with the way that the Army's military justice system works. Col. West could have been tried by a general court-martial and dismissed from the Army, but commanders and court-martial convening authorities are given broad discretionary powers. The fact that Col. West immediately reported his actions to his commanding officer no doubt weighed heavily in him avoiding a court-martial. He was treated fairly and in accordance with the law. An Article 15 action does not allow for punitive discharges (of enlisted men and women) or dismissals (in the case of officers). Compared to a general court-martial, an Article 15 is a slap on the wrist.

IMO, there is an excellent chance that Col. West will someday be president and I will welcome a chance to vote for him. We could use a president who understands our military and respects the laws that govern it. The fact that he is a phenomenal public speaker (without the benefit of a teleprompter) will not hurt his chances and I think that most people will view his military record as a major asset.