OT: Current Affairs and Politics

[Soren Lorenson]

Although I think he’ll probably claim a deal has been made at the last minute. But still, I really don’t see how anyone can justify any of his actions right now, he belongs in gaol. He’s a lunatic.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Wow, I though Ben Roberts-Smith losing his ill-fated defamation case was the last we'd hear of the guy, and he'd slink off with his diminished reputation, lucky to still have freedom.

But it looks like freedom may now be a long time coming, if at all pending these charges....

From war hero to accused serial killer: The unravelling of Ben Roberts-Smith

The war memorial’s poster boy for Australia’s contribution to its longest war is now in custody, potentially facing life in prison.

www.smh.com.au

Beyond reasonable doubt is a much higher bar than the civil case. No access to crime scene, dna, ballistics evidence. There’s every chance he gets acquitted.

 

[Gronk]

Beyond reasonable doubt is a much higher bar than the civil case. No access to crime scene, dna, ballistics evidence. There’s every chance he gets acquitted.

Except that the “cliff-kick”, where he pushed a handcuffed civilian Afghani man backwards off a cliff was supported by multiple SAS soldier eyewitnesses. He then ordered for the man to be shot dead down at the bottom.

Justice still has to be served, however there will be no physical evidence required in that instance.

 

[T-Boon]

Just has different view. I don't see any type of racism.

If you are pro-western values and thus extremely anti Islamic Republican Guard / Hamas / Hezbullah type values then the left, who have spazzed out totally, are going to label you the nastiest things they can think of even though they are anti semetic.
It is no big deal.

 

[hindy111]

Although I think he’ll probably claim a deal has been made at the last minute. But still, I really don’t see how anyone can justify any of his actions right now, he belongs in gaol. He’s a lunatic.

I been telling everyone for years he is a nutbag.

 

[Twizzle]

Do you mean because of my opinion on the Islamic republic regime in Iran or have you noticed some bigger signs of racism on my part?

Your views are Islamophobic. You racialise Muslims based on their Iranian culture, which is basically bigotry, and discrimination of a race/culture based on the actions of a few people rather than the entire race.

And yes, you have made similar derogatory comments in the past.

 

[Twizzle]

Just has different view.

I know, we're not all bigots.

 

[Twizzle]

 

[Soren Lorenson]

I been telling everyone for years he is a nutbag.

We all knew he was a nut bag, but this is next level.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Except that the “cliff-kick”, where he pushed a handcuffed civilian Afghani man backwards off a cliff was supported by multiple SAS soldier eyewitnesses. He then ordered for the man to be shot dead down at the bottom.

Justice still has to be served, however there will be no physical evidence required in that instance.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not defending him or passing any judgement for that matter. I just think it will be a tall order for the prosecutor to convince a jury that there no doubt he’s guilty. He’ll have significant legal representations and unless you get all your info from channel 9, very high public support.

 

[T-Boon]

Your views are Islamophobic.

True.

You racialise Muslims based on their Iranian culture, which is basically bigotry, and discrimination of a race/culture based on the actions of a few people rather than the entire race.

I don't understand this but I think it is untrue. I like Iranians, that why I think the initial bombing and taking out the head of the regime (continuing to do so) is very good. All the Iranians I've met appeared to be good people.

And yes, you have made similar derogatory comments in the past.

I've become very pro-Israel.

 

[T-Boon]

Anyway - I will bow out of this thread for a few weeks.
I had been trying to bring positivity but the usual visitors to this part of the forum don't want a bar of that.
I am going.....
now.

 

[King-Gutho94]

I wouldn't last 2 seconds over there with armed forces.

So i find it interesting how so many people who would be in a similar situation can pass judgement so easily without knowing the facts, circumstances and the brutal reality is no one here unless you have served can know the pressure, stress, anxiety, orders from people above about each and every decision made over there rightly or wrongly.

Every passing moment you could be with someone about to blow you up, or step on a landmine.

There is a reason most veterans come back to normal civilisation and struggle with PTSD, Mental Health and a multitude of issues around the world.

My Uncle served and then killed himself back in 2004 about 10-15 years after his final duty as one of his main issues was he was in fear everyone of around him thinking people were out to get him and obviously wore him down enough.

If BRS has done the wrong thing by the law then so be it throw him away. I get the feeling some high ranking people haven't been happy with the celebrity status BRS has picked up since he returned from Service and there has been a long decade campaign to get square and bury him. So this is where we now sit. I find it hard we would have one officer go rogue who was later given a VCM and everyone around him was not somehow complicit

The virtue signaling online from those who sit behind a computer and basically reveling in the fact his going to jail already has been nothing short of embarrassing,

 

[Gronk]

The virtue signaling online from those who sit behind a computer and basically reveling in the fact his going to jail already has been nothing short of embarrassing,

Likewise, the virtue signaling by the "patriots' online who defend this fella without reservation is nothing short of embarrassing.

It is not unreasonable to form an opinion based on the evidence presented in the defamation trial. If the criminal court holds that as true, then the "hero" crew need to drop off.

I ahve said this many times on here: when it comes to war crimes, there seems to be good guys and bad guys. The good guys seem to be immune from war crime in some people's opinions.

If the good guys do heinous crimes in the battle field, it is dismissed as just being war. If the bad guys do it, we will persue them for 50 years and spend millions, if need be.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

It is not unreasonable to form an opinion based on the evidence presented in the defamation trial

That’s going to be problematic for a jury then. Hope you don’t get called up.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

I wouldn't last 2 seconds over there with armed forces.

So i find it interesting how so many people who would be in a similar situation can pass judgement so easily without knowing the facts, circumstances and the brutal reality is no one here unless you have served can know the pressure, stress, anxiety, orders from people above about each and every decision made over there rightly or wrongly.

Every passing moment you could be with someone about to blow you up, or step on a landmine.

There is a reason most veterans come back to normal civilisation and struggle with PTSD, Mental Health and a multitude of issues around the world.

My Uncle served and then killed himself back in 2004 about 10-15 years after his final duty as one of his main issues was he was in fear everyone of around him thinking people were out to get him and obviously wore him down enough.

If BRS has done the wrong thing by the law then so be it throw him away. I get the feeling some high ranking people haven't been happy with the celebrity status BRS has picked up since he returned from Service and there has been a long decade campaign to get square and bury him. So this is where we now sit. I find it hard we would have one officer go rogue who was later given a VCM and everyone around him was not somehow complicit

The virtue signaling online from those who sit behind a computer and basically reveling in the fact his going to jail already has been nothing short of embarrassing,

This isn't a left v right situation.....the extremely conservative and future Liberal leader, Andrew Hastie (who was a SAS captain) and serviced with BRS, gave evidence against him.....

'Cold, hard truth': Hastie breaks silence after Ben Roberts-Smith verdict

Former SAS captain and Liberal MP Andrew Hastie has expressed his relief at Ben Roberts-Smith losing his defamation trial, saying the courage of former colleagues in giving evidence against the Victoria Cross winner had "rescued" the elite regiment.

www.abc.net.au

However of course until the courts decide...he is innocent!

FYI - Hastie killed his short term political future by giving evidence, losing significant support from Stokes / Rinehart.

 

[Gronk]

That’s going to be problematic for a jury then. Hope you don’t get called up.

Juries can't be expected to be uninformed in public cases. One woukd think that that if you were given the responsibility of judging against your peers, that you shelve what you have heard or think. The mushroom lady, case in point.

 

[Joshuatheeel]

That’s going to be problematic for a jury then. Hope you don’t get called up.

There is a lot of witnesses, and I suspect some who have also committed/participated in the alleged killings may now be giving evidence against him (which wasn't particularly addressed by the defamation case)

"The three other charges accuse the former soldier of causing the murder of — and procuring the murder of — civilians in Darwan and Syahchow in September and October, 2012."

Ben Roberts-Smith in custody at Silverwater jail after war crimes charges

One of Australia's most decorated soldiers, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been charged with five counts of the war crime of murder.

www.abc.net.au

 

[eels_fan]

I've become very pro-Israel.

On the basis of all the evidence of their actions, that’s almost entirely reprehensible.

 

[Soren Lorenson]

Although I think he’ll probably claim a deal has been made at the last minute

There you go.

Live: Donald Trump agrees to pause bombing in Iran for two weeks

US President ‌Donald Trump says he ‌has agreed "to ‌suspend the bombing and attack ‌of Iran ‌for a ‌period ‌of ‌two weeks". Follow live.

www.abc.net.au