Wrong to blam troops under fire

9/2/2003

YOUR EDITORIAL "A cameraman killed" (Aug. 20) infuriated me. The soldier who killed the cameraman has expressed his regret and will have to live with this for the rest of his life. Yet you advocate not only his punishment but also a revision of the rules of engagement for all US military personnel. That would serve to place our troops at greater risk. How wonderful it must be to have vision so clear that it enables you to criticize the split-second life-and-death decisions of the people we have chosen to place in harm's way. The last time I checked, journalists were not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and would not be prosecuted under the same should they decide not to go in harm's way. The same cannot be said of our troops.

Forgive me, but despite your indignation over the deaths of your fellow journalists, I reserve my tears for the folks doing the heavy lifting: namely, our troops.

EUGENE O'NEILL

Belmont