The case of Steven Green is a shameful example of all that which is wrong in society.

Green a former soldier who recently returned from Iraq, has been charged with rape and murder. Apparently Green, who recently left the military with a “Personality Disorder,” raped an Iraqi woman then killed her, after killing the rest of her family in the Iraqi city of Mahmudiya.

Green and his accomplices allegedly committed the brutal act last March, but it only came to light when another soldier revealed the incident while undergoing therapy. Apparently the rape and murder was premeditated. This incident is only the latest in a serious of crimes committed against civilians in Iraq and is certain to make life more difficult for the 99.9% of US soldiers in Iraq who do the right thing day in and day out. Insurgents will certainly use such incidents as justification for additional attacks and to spur recruitment into their murderous ranks.

These criminals have complicated matters in a region where complications lead to casualties and should be held accountable for their actions. Perhaps it would be wise to turn Green over to Iraqi authorities for trial, while some may balk at the idea of an American soldier being tried in a foreign court, keep in mind two things: in the first place such an action would not be unprecedented, in cases in Japan US soldiers have been tried in Japanese courts for infractions such as rape and in the second place Green and is partners, weren’t acting in their capacity as soldiers when the crime allegedly was committed. Green and his co-conspirators used non-government issued weapons to murder the Iraqis and were dressed in civilian garb.

In any case, if it is revealed that Green is indeed guilty of these crimes, no mercy should be shown, just as no mercy was shown for the victims he brutalized, his punishment should also serve as a lesson to others that such barbarism will be dealt with swiftly and harshly as that is the only way to confront such savagery.
www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2006/07/04/ex_soldier_charged_in_rape_killings
seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107AP_Iraq_Rape_Slaying.html?source=mypi