Military justice is the fairest in the country
Re: “SEALS deserve their day in court,” Editorial, Dec. 4
As an Army prosecutor serving in Afghanistan, I found your editorial on the Navy SEALs inaccurate and unfair. Many legal scholars have noted that the military justice system affords more procedural rights to defendants than the civilian. In fact, the Supreme Court looked to the UCMJ to justify its decision in Miranda. If innocent, I would take a court martial every time. Further, sentences in the military are not more severe than the civilian system, particularly federal court. Soldiers often receive fair sentences under two years for crimes which carry draconian 5- and 10-year federal mandatory minimums. Most troubling are your careless accusations against those serving as commanders, prosecutors, and judges. Whatever happened on this mission, the whole team was not charged, which is strange if the actions taken were reasonable and sanctioned. The sailors in question were offered non-judicial punishment and chose a court martial instead, the very type of procedural protections you glibly agree the Navy might deny them. I assure you, commanders and prosecutors wish we didn’t have to bring charges against soldiers who have served their country, but we must enforce the law. Unless you know what happened there, please let the fairest legal system in the country work the way it was designed and save us the broad mischaracterizations and allegations of political motives.
CPT Philip O’Beirne
82nd Airborne Division
Kandahar, Afghanistan
Obama’s Afghanistan policy is contradictory
It’s fun to watch the verbal gymnastics engaged in by pundits like Eleanor Clift, who praised what she called a clever political ploy in President Obama’s new Afghanistan policy on the Dec. 6 McLaughlin Group. Never mind that many astute observers find it objectionable that Mr. Obama’s policy is deeply contradictory. He speaks of a withdrawal beginning in 18 months, but also says that withdrawal will depend on conditions on the ground. Thus, he tries to placate both the left and the right. This is not a clarion call by which 30,000 troops should be sent into battle. In her reflexive support of President Obama, Clift is unwilling to face reality.
Nathan Dodell
Rockville
Put cash into clunkers
Many Americans with so-called “clunkers” have considered purchasing a new car, but the cost in today’s economic climate may be prohibitive. Keeping your current vehicle running efficiently is a sensible alternative that can save big money in the long run. Edmunds.com reports that the average car loan payment is $479 per month over a four-year period. For the cost of an average down payment on a new car or truck, you can replace your vehicle’s worn-out engine with a remanufactured/rebuilt engine. Considering that nearly $23,000 can be saved by skipping car loan payments for four years, installing a remanufactured/rebuilt engine is clearly a very sound and cost-effective investment. Unlike used or junk yard engines with an unknown performance and maintenance history, remanufactured/rebuilt engines are dependable, reliable, and backed by excellent warranty programs. They also save the tremendous amount of energy used in processing discarded vehicles and the raw materials that would have been used in building a new engine.
Dave Wooldridge
Chairman,
Engine Repower Council
Bethesda
