Fmr US Soldier: I came over here because I wanted to kill people

Even before I go any further, let me say that I know a number of individuals that are either currently or formerly in the military.  For example, a former political science classmate of mine is now in Iraq.  Another, who I was friends with all throughout elementary school, just got back last year. 

So, the soldier who said this is among a small fringe within the military.

With that said, the web site Editor and Publisher refers to a Sunday Washington Post story about Steven Green, who is accused of raping and murdering a 15-year-old Iraqi girl.  Before the attack on the girl occurred, Green actually was interviewed by the Washington Post back in February about what life was like as a soldier in Iraq.  He said that killing Iraqis was like "squashing an ant."

Editor and Publisher explains:

Writing in Sunday's Washington Post, AndrewTilghman, a former correspondent for the military paper Stars andStripes, said he interviewed Green several times in February south ofBaghdad.

"I came over here because I wanted to kill people," hequoted Green as saying. "The truth is, it wasn't all I thought it wascracked up to be. I mean, I thought killing somebody would be thislife-changing experience. And then I did it, and I was like, 'Allright, whatever.'

"I shot a guy who wouldn't stop when we were out at atraffic checkpoint and it was like nothing," Green was quoted assaying. "Over here, killing people is like squashing an ant.

"I mean, you kill somebody and it's like, 'All right, let's go get some pizza.'"

Green is under arrest in Kentucky for the March 12murders of the Iraqi girl and three of her relatives. He was honorablydischarged from the military for a "personality disorder," has pleadednot guilty.

Steven Green is a 19-year-old high school dropout who had three misdemeanor convictions prior to his service in Iraq.

The rape case is still pending.  But a gag order has been issued in order to keep the media from knowing the specific details about the killing.
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Other blogs writing about this issue: Cut to the Chase, Mike's Thoughts, Kate's Ramblings and Waunderings, World News, Innisfree, The News Blog, Steve's Soapbox, Blogger News Network, Cranky Daze.