Cornwall ON – When I look down at my medium rare steak as it oozes a bit of blood I don’t think of the animal that walked the earth prior to being processed. I probably should, but I don’t. Heck, I probably should be a Vegetarian which I was for a few years, but I digress.
We have soldiers for reasons. We should never vicariously put soldiers in harms way, because they are trained to face situations that we don’t have to. We don’t have to look a cow in the eye and put it down so we can eat in the comfort of our homes, but we do send off our soldiers to face life and death situations.
Captain Robert Semrau has just finished his hearing. He was not found guilty of murder in any degree, but most likely will lose his career as a solider. Captain Semrau was charged for giving a mercy shot to a severely wounded enemy combatant in Afghanistan.
An Apache helicopter had attacked nearby Taliban insurgents, firing a devastating volley of shots that blasted off an insurgent’s leg, almost severed his other one and severely wounded him in the abdomen.
“There is no reason to believe that Capt. Semrau was acting maliciously, or that the insurgent would have survived if medical assistance had been called,” said Byers, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia.
Captain Semaru is being condemned for not following the rules. I’m not sure who made up that particular rule as mercy killings on the field of battle are called that for a reason?
I’m sure debate can ensure and that there are many strong arguments, but at the end of the day to me the question is was what Captain Semaru did wrong or was bringing it to light in the manner it was wrong? Was this whole process necessary? So many politicians love to hug the flag and prance around screaming how much they love the military, but at the end of the day do their actions back it up?
What do you think Canada? You can post your comments below.
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There is no minimum sentence for “Disgraceful Conduct” under the National Defence Act. And, that’s exactly what Capt. Robert Semrau should receive: no sentence. A note to file should be placed in his Personnel dossier recording his grateful nation’s thanks for his sacrifice and willingness to fight our battles under horrific conditions in a humane manner — followed by a quick return to work training and leading Canada’s soldiers.
Bravo Zulu Semrau!
“[C]ondemned for not following the rules,” — very likely the rules of armchair observers faraway from the field of battle, where a sense of honour prevails between friend and foe. What if Semrau had abandoned the insurgent to the agony of certain yet slow death? Right on, Mark T: no sentence.
Captain Robert Semaru did the right thing. I for one, salute you and your efforts. He and solider’s like him do the jobs that we are afraid to do.
I support the captain 100%. I will be disgusted if he is punished by his peers for doing something I feel was the humane thing to do in WAR.
Hell they shoot horses don’t they? Why let anyone suffer great pain with no hope?