John Bernard: Rules of engagement in Afghanistan

John Bernard runs a website specifically dealing with the rules of engagement in Afghanistan. His site is letthemfight.blogspot.com.

I had the opportunity to interview him for 20 minutes this morning and here is part I of that interview.

Thanks to Andrew Bostom for making the introduction. Mr. Bernard was very interesting to talk to, and gave me lots of food for thought. I hope you all will feel the same.

Eeyore for Vlad.

Part II

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

7 Replies to “John Bernard: Rules of engagement in Afghanistan”

  1. After the Fort Hood massacre, it occurred to me that if I were a US soldier, I would be very concerned about the way my government was not watching my back, the way that “fellow American” Muslim soldier standing next to me might just turn around and shoot me at any moment, and all that will happen is a funeral for me and a nice big mysterious cover-up for my killer. Damn it! How can they expect a US soldier to go into battle with a guy called Abdallah standing behind him? Especially if that soldier has already heard Abdallah Jihadi-trash-talking about 9-11 being and inside job, but if you dare to say anything to your superior officer, you could wind up being court-martialed for racism, your life ruined. Add to that these ridiculous rules of engagement, and I could see some guys starting to think about desertion, and even mutiny. Nobody want to be just dead for no good reason at all; it’s one thing to die for your country, but for bullshit? I could see some soldiers starting to think that Mr Obama didn’t have his best interests at heart. I do solemny predict that some US soldiers are going to start squawking, right about now.

  2. Wait a second. I find this part hard to believe.

    At 5:58 he says, “unless of course there are civilians around you can not shoot back under any circumstances.” If you are taking fire and civilians around you can not shoot back.

    The basic right to self defense doesn’t apply in our armed forces? No way.

  3. Check it out. You have to remove yourself from the engagement. I would check it yourself if you do not believe him. I do. I know his credentials and motive.

  4. ok found it:

    “if there is any chance of creating civilian casualties or if you don’t know whether you will create civilian casualties, if you can withdraw from that situation without firing, then you must do so”

    Also found a new rule as of June 2010:
    Unless there is observed shooter you may not fire under any circumstance. That means no pinning fire.

    We should just leave.

  5. No suppressing fire? Really? Why then, what’s to stop them from just sneakin’ around behind you and shooting you in the ear?