Our Soldiers Are Not Criminals

I reported the other day that some wimp of a judge in Spain had decided to try and press charges against US forces. After all war is hell as they say, although I dont think Spanish judges with an axe to grind against the US would understand that.

Now we finally see the reason why International Criminal Court is such a bad idea. What person would ever risk signing up to join the army if at the whim of a judge in another country they could be arrested and tried on some half baked charge.

The Nervous Rodent Blog has a brilliant bit on this. The basic point of the case are:

1. Both of the casualties had intentionally entered a war zone for the purpose of recording a war. They were aware of the dangers they were subjecting themselves to.
2. The three soldiers were part of a tank crew that fired into a building, from which they were receiving fire. Under US Rules of Engagement, which are based on the International Law of Warfare, a soldier always has the right to self-defense, and may return fire in order to save himself.
3. The three soldiers were subjected to a review at the highest level, with the US Secretary of State declaring that the soldiers' actions were in accordance with law.

** Moving only from one bit of loon activity abroad to a home grown loon now. Now she has some nerve this woman, yes I am on about the lovely Clare Short MP.

It seems that she is challenging the right of the PM to go to war. Now aside from her having her own reasons to have a go a Blair, this is a dangerous idea.

Should the need arise our nation may need to fight and fight quickly. Should the PM - especially if we have a minority government - have to go cap in hand the whole process could take weeks or even months. Anyone who knows anything about UK politics knows that the wheels of government turn very slowly.

Yes we all know Blair lied, or was given piss poor intelligence depending on who you believe over Iraq. That however is not the issue, even if Ms Short seems to think it is. She has her own reasons for trying to get Blair but she should not try to endanger the potential security of the UK in order to score points.

Fortunatly Geoff Hoon managed to talk for so long that there was no time for a vote to be taken on this. **One time you can be gratefull for a government windbag!

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