Lt Pantano's Case

I've been waiting for more news to come out on this case before commenting on it, because it just seems too ridiculous. But according to all the information available so far, the Marine Corps has lost its freaking mind. Unless there is some incriminating evidence that we don't know about, this writer has the right idea. It is unconscionable to second guess our combat leaders in a war zone like this. If it was a clear cut case of murder, instead of a shooting in the heat of a high-speed pursuit of two suspected terrorists, then I would agree with trying him. But these guys aren't cops. The dead aren't innocent until proven guilty, they don't have Miranda rights. It's a freaking war zone. There are rules of engagement, and that's it. The enemy does not get the benefit of the doubt.

The news stories linked above note that the incident was investigated when it happened almost a year ago, and Lt Pantano exonerated. The very fact that they spent time investigating this incident is troubling. Again, unless there's some incriminating info we don't know about, you don't investigate this stuff like it was a cop shooting in LA.

Eight years ago, a Marine participating in a counter-drug operation with Joint Task Force-6 shot and killed 18 year old Esequiel Hernandez, a goat herder in Marfa, Texas, after he fired a shot at the concealed LP/OP. The incident was investigated by MajGen John Coyne, who concluded that "no disciplinary or administrative action should be undertaken against" the Marines in question. And none was. Now if two Marines can shoot an American citizen in peacetime and not get in trouble for it, how can a Devil Dog get prosecuted for shooting two bad guys in a war zone?

Defend the Defenders is the web site run by Lt Pantano's mother.

(In 1998, I was lucky enough to get detailed to Camp Pendleton for the 1st MarDiv's change of command ceremony. I say lucky enough, because it was a blessing to spend a week in the land of milk and honey, Camp Pendleton, and get away from the desert hellhole that was 29 Palms, despite the mind-numbing boredom of the ceremony parade practice. Scuttlebutt had it that Gen Admire, Commanding General of the 1st MarDiv, was fired by then Commandant Krulak for not court martialing the Marines in question. Kudos to Gen Admire, and jeers to Gen Krulak if true.)