Marine A Is Worthy Of Support Not Punishment

[suzyann133]

With only days left before a verdict is reached on his appeal, It's no longer time to stand behind Sgt Al Blackman its time to stand in front of him side by side to stop this craziness. Stand together and stand strong - UNITED WE CONQUER
Pleae sign the two petitions to help make a difference and also SHARE SHARE SHARE on your own Twitter or Facebook pages.
http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/56810
https://www.change.org/petitions/court-martial-board-show-leniency-towards-marine-a
If you are not familiear with this case then watch: Marine 'A' Criminal or Casualty of War BBC Documentary 2014
Alexander Blackman, a Royal Marine sergeant, was convicted and jailed for life for shooting an injured Afghan insurgent on the front line.


Facebook/justiceformarineA
I have read all of the posts on the above facebook page and pleased that they are in the main wonderfully supportive and express much of how I feel. After sixteen years of service seeing horrors first hand that we can only imagine, he now faces a life sentence in prison. And not even a military prison but a public one. I am disgusted that this is happening. If our government cannot support those servicemen that fall by the wayside then what hope for any of us.

It is my opinion that Marine A was let down badly by those servicing officers above him. I have just read that whilst one fellow marine was filming, another was taking notes! There was obviously concern about his state of mind yet he was still on active duty. Marine A would not have just ‘broken’ without warning signs. Whose responsibility for the welfare of Marine A and all our men on active duty was it to recognise this happening to him, pull him from duty and refer him for psychological help.

The wrong person has been put on trial here he most likely has PTSD and battle fatigue and the awful things he has witnessed will probably haunt him forever and our government has thrown him in a jail, most of which are full of terrorists or the like. We cannot allow our government to let this happen although I fear it will and the only way to stop this is People Power which is being demonstrated now through the internet network and with very little media support from the press.

Last year we had to endure the trial of the butchers who murdered Lee Rigby witnessed by the world yet they pleaded not guilty. How can this be – they should have been shot on the spot not given the opportunity to defend such a defenceless atrocity. Marine A has been fighting the likes of them for too many years and does not deserve to be treated so badly by the Country he has served so well.

MARINE A NEEDS SUPPORT NOT PUNISHMENT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OxFgs2lntA

[askyourgran]

I agree with you, this should have been a military matter. He was under orders as a soldier not a civilian, and considering the circumstances during his tour this could be seen as battle fatigue and PTSD. How many other soldiers have already done the same? The man has served his country under difficult conditions and is pilloried by the State. Disgusting.

[jim360]

He didn't sound like a broken man. So no, I don't agree with you. He shot and killed a man who was under the protection of the Geneva Convention, thus breaking International law. And, what's more, he knew he had done so instantly and tried to keep it under wraps. Quite right that he should be held to account for this crime.

[askyourgran]

Oh yes the Geneva Convention, I wonder if the Afghans know what that is since they displayed the body parts of his comrades on the trees.

[naomi24]

That’s the problem isn’t it? Western troops are expected to exhibit exemplary behaviour – their enemies behave as they like. How easy it is to forget that all men are human. It’s a tough call.

[jim360]

What they knew or did not doesn't seem particularly relevant. He did know. And, therefore, was expected to uphold it. And should have.

Goodness only knows what it must be like to have to see such sights as happen in war. I know I never want to try. But revenge isn't enough of a motive to justify tit-for-tat murder in cold blood. Rightly, the law recognises that, and therefore rightly, he was found guilty. I can understand why people would want to support our soldiers over our enemies, but for more important is upholding the standards that those soldiers are fighting to protect. And that is why I will not sign this petition and would encourage other people to not sign it either.

[suzyann133]

The Taliban are not a recognised fighting force under the Geneva Convention and the prosecution did not use this in court.

[237SJ]

No, the Taliban are not a recognised fighting force under the Geneva Convention but Marine A was so he should have adhered to the rules IMO.

[Caran]

Signed.

[viv38]

Agree suzyann and signed.

[viv38]

And I will ask family and friends to sign it too.