Whose Side Are We On?

First, it was LtCol Allen West. Now, once again, the US shows why some consider the phrase "military intelligence" to be an oxymoron.
In an attempt to devour more of its own, WND reports that a US Marine faces the death penalty for killing 2 terror suspects.

A U.S. Marine charged with premeditated murder for shooting two Iraqis may face the death penalty, although one of the men he shot appeared to be preparing to attack the Marines or detonate nearby explosives, says the Marine's attorney.

Isn't the purpose, the premise, the goal of war the essentially premeditated killing of the enemy? Don't you go in knowing that the possibility exists that you will need to kill someone?
Are we now to think that killing during a war comes as a surprise?

Second Lieutenant Ilario G. Pantano was charged Feb. 1 in connection with the April 15, 2004, shooting incident, according to a Marine Corps statement released yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Richard Huck, commanding general of the 2nd Marine Division, convened an investigation to determine if the 33-year-old Pantano should stand trial, but no further details were released.

The Marine platoon Pantano commanded had been tasked with searching a suspected terrorist hide-out south of Baghdad last April. After finding weapons, ammunition and bomb-making material in the building, they observed two men fleeing in a sport utility vehicle, Gittens said, according to the wire report.

Upon shooting out the vehicle's tires to stop it, the Marines took the two Iraqi men into custody, ordering them to search for booby traps and secret compartments in the vehicle by ripping out its interior and seats, Gittens told Reuters.

Then, according to Gittens, one of the suspects turned suddenly toward Pantano "as if to attack." When Pantano ordered them to stop, they kept moving toward him, Gittens said.

"He (Pantano) thought he was in danger and he fired and he killed them and that's what we do to terrorists who don't listen to orders. ... It's a combat situation, kill or be killed," the attorney told Reuters.

Be aware that this took place in the Sunni Triangle, the most violent area of Iraq.
Sounds totally justifiable to me.

While we're at it, lets have an investigation into the competency of MajGen Richard Huck to effectively command the 2nd Marine Division. Sounds to me like he's a few slices short of a full loaf.

Think about it: we have an all volunteer military. In an attempt to recruit volunteers, among whom we hope to attract some of America's brightest and best, what do we do? Criminalize what they were recruited to do!

"The Few. The Proud. The Jailed. The Marines."

That should do wonders for enlistments.