Afghanistan is a war zone.
War zones are a blood bath.

Our own heros are also casualties to its extended reach. Ben Roberts-Smith VC, is currently having his reputation assassinated, by the do-gooders intent on cleansing the brutal reputation of Afghanistanies.
That's the same Afghans that turn their weapons on coalition forces after an invitation to join with them, against the enemy they so often complain about in Pakistan.

Dan

Read Fred Smith`s book and you may learn a bit.

There's only one way to ensure this man wasn't callously murdered in vain and that is to ensure his work and irrigation projects are completed and upgraded! As gifted farming co-ops that belong to those Afghans, who complete them, expand, maintain and work on them!

A murderous and complicit Pakistan can go ---- itself!
Alan B.

A False dichotomy there, Diver Dan. Investigating an allegation of a war crime is not the equivalent of being a lover of brutal terrorists.
Soldiers have to obey the law, the same as any other citizens. This is not to say that it is always easy, in fact it is usually quite hard.
War is a bloody horrible, deadly business. I have nothing but admiration for folks who serve [I am now way too old],the heartbreak they get when mates die. But in the end, we have to fight to protect the world from thugs. This is not solved by being thugs ourselves, because that path may lead to us being as bad as our enemies. I don't know if the soldier is guilty or innocent of the charges. Under the law, it is "innocent until proven guilty".
There is a practical consideration. War crimes can affect morale and discipline in the unit. So there is no option really. They have to be investigated.
The "Larger Picture? We have too few fully-trained soldiers. Too few soldiers trying to do too much. They get tired. Tired people make mistakes. Many soldiers have had to do more than their fair share, too many tours on operations. That is the real problem, I think.

Rob H.

Terrorist by night, farmers by day...the Afghan way.

In the end, because of political ineptitude and meddling, the front line objective becomes confused.
Smith was special forces. These are not the grunts!
These highly trained personnel should not be asked to cross examine in their own minds, who they are to kill.
They must be free to eliminate a threat to their own safety in split second timing.
At times that goes wrong, but not often.

To have your own team rat on you, is demoralising, and the act falls directly into the enemies hands.
What is happening to Smith VC, should never see the light of day!

Dan

PS

And further to that. This witch hunt of our front line special forces, is coming to light through...you could guess couldn't you?....the ABC.

It's now ever more critical to shut this mob down . Sack the lot of them.
What treachery!

Dan

Yes, Dan I am aware that Roberts-Smith is SAS. The investigation is being conducted by the Australian Federal Police, not the ABC!
Or is the AFP part of your crazy conspiracy theory also?
For the record, I hope that Roberts-Smith is cleared of these alleged war crimes, for no one could or should doubt his bravery and contribution to the defence of our country.
A country either respects the rule of law or it does not. If it does not, then you get an evil cluster fcuk community like ISIS, and all the rest of the blood-thirsty, ignorant, intolerant religious/ideological fanatics.
What if police started to beat up people who broke the law? Why not? Most people would want to kill, or at least beat up, some murderer or rapist. Why not, eh, they are scum right? But it is not about them. It is about us. How we behave. Like savages or civilised people? Like thugs or professional warriors? Anyone can be a fcuking thug.
Of course people don't want to dob in their mates, and rightly so. Personally and informally, I think that there were some errors in procedure, as far as I can tell from what has been released in the public domain. Perhaps a war crime.
But the take home message form this is not to have to report illegal or improper procedures in a colleague in the first place. So guilty or innocent, it is a "heads-up".
Accidents in war will always happen. But I don't think that is what the investigation is considering. So I think you created a little straw-man there.
Yes, the rules are a little "loose" for strategic troops, they have to be, to get some things done. But there are and should be limits, if we want to remain "the good guys" as we claim to be

Whatever happened to fight fire with fire ?
We've got to be cruel to be kind !
Cuddling monsters isn't going to turn them into puppies !

So Rob H.

No conspiracy theory here. It's out in the open.
You think it's all ok for the ABC to pick off publicly, one of Australia's most decorated soldiers?
I don't give a toss what he did, that's a right they don't have.
As you say, the AFP are investigating. That's something the public don't necessarily need to hear about. I can handle that.
Without a doubt, the ABC should have kept that information quiet.

Fortunately, the squealing pig died a few days after his treacherous act. I'd like to think somebody brought him down.

A peasant Afghan farmer has a lot less value in my world than our most decorated soldier.
I don't care in the slightest he copped a bullet behind the ear. Obviously he deserved it!
And quite frankly, I think there are some deserving candidates in the ABC, that would qualify for similar treatment. But of course, it's a bit early for that yet!

Dan

I'm afraid I must agree with Dan on this one, THIS REMAINS AN ALLEGATION FROM WHO? Our friends? And just as in Vietnam they weren't distinguishable from the civilian population and at times, were kids with guns!

And you returned fire when fired on, forgot charlie's propaganda or trial by media. Albeit, there were things that occurred that could not be swept under the carpet!

Bet your boots worse things happened during WW1 and WW!! and at the hands of our people! How many of them were condemned, exposed to this BS witch-hunt and trial by media!? Or rule 303?

How much trauma could you handle in combat before you cracked and lost it? If that is what allegedly happened?

Let those who have volunteered and fought decide this matter, not those who never ever put anything on the line!

I think the real problem here is compensation? And should that compensation be lifted? This whole mess of alleged rotten eggs will go away!
Alan B.

I totally support Alan B's view.
Just look at how the bubble people react to the mention of National Service ! Dead against it yet here they condemn people who put their lives on the line for what ?
Let them put up their hand & declare they don't want protection when the time comes to defend this Nation !!