JanS, it would be nice if the soldiers in our military represented a cross-section of American society, unfortunately it is now becoming more representative of the dregs of our society. The standards for recruits have dropped about as far as it can go. We are now inducting into our military just about anyone who can sign their name on the bottom line. I wouldn't be surprised if they will accept an X with a witness.
When I was finishing basic training the MP's came out to the field to collect one of my fellow trainees who hadn't reported a conviction he had when he was 18. This guy was the very best soldier we had in our training brigade, but back in the early 80's they could afford to maintain their standards. No more.
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I say 2 years of community service after HS for everyone (not talking work camps, more like Nat. Guard. 2 days each month, two full weeks each year), no exemptions, 3 years if you choose the military, but the educational benefits are much larger as incentive. Good for the individual, good for the community, good for the Nation.

Good points, JanS. What kind of attention do soldiers receive, to help them transition back to normal life? Is there a debriefing process as a group, individual before they leave, after they arrive, or just to individuals who become aware of problems?

KOMO just covered the story (2/9/2010) and, lacking any compelling video, put the printed indictment into a sink, ran water on it and filmed that.

OK, I served in the Army (well, a long time ago - think Vietnam era), and I realize that even back then things were not perfect. But this guy had an anger problem before he went to Iraq. I think that we have to remember that not all who enlist are the cream of the crop, that sometimes whatever tests they give some of these guys don't tell all. I know of at least one guy whose main activity was video games before he enlisted to "go to war"...and I believe that he saw the whole thing with those glasses. He was eventually discharged before he had served his time.

We have to stop believing that these soldiers are "America's finest", and start believing that they represent a cross section of America with many faults. And then we have to provide help for those soldiers coming home so they don't believe that water torturing a 4 yo is acceptable.

Update from the Times
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011015680_webyelmgirl08m.html
The girl's back in Montana with her grandmother.

Good God.

Unfortunately, as someone posted on the Stranger site (thanks, Gina) the father will probably get a slap on the wrist and the child will be returned to his custody.

any punishment meted out to a child
because of your anger
is wrong...

i don't know how to say that strongly enough

I saw/heard about it locally, like pam said maybe on KOMO.

Otherwise on KING5, Q13, P-I,or Times, online.

Mike

I think I saw it in the Seattle Times - maybe it was on komo news

the Stranger (SLOG) has picked up the story:

http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2010/02/07/every-child-deserves-a-mother-and-a-father

A Tacoma soldier was arrested several days ago for waterboarding his 4 year-old daughter when she could not recite the alphabet. You'd think this would make headlines around here, yet I found it on the UK Daily Mail website by accident. There was a small blurb in The Olympian, but otherwise this story has been given a pass by local media. Why? Is he being protected for some reason? This story made me sick. You reap what you sow...