These acts should not be condoned, regardless of what triggered the soldiers to come outside of their compound. I do think, though, that it is important to try to understand why they did this so that better programs can be developed to teach soldiers to deal with stress positively. But, I'm sure some of those soldiers caught on tape were acting not out of stress and fatigue and anger, but showing part of their nature, and that's a scary thought.

Colonel Tim Collins (Royal Irish Regiment - a favorite to some of you on this thread I know!) gave a speech in 2003 for a group of soldiers. Just wanted to include a bit of it here...it's actually quite sad to read his words and then see what some troops are doing and have done.

"We go to liberate, not to conquer.
We will not fly our flags in their country
We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own.
Show respect for them...

Iraq is steeped in history.
It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham.
Tread lightly there.

You will see things that no man could pay to see
-- and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis.
You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.

Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country.
Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you."

E