Retired Lt. Colonel Alan B. West commanded the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th ID, and was in charge during the interrogation of an Iraqi police officer suspected of having information of pending attacks on his troops. Soldiers under West's supervision allegedly assaulted the detainee. When he didn't talk, West fired his 9mm close to the man's head. The terrorist then gave information about a planned ambush, thwarting a future attack. It's reported there were no further ambushes in Taji until he was relieved of command on October 4, 2003. His campaign website is here. I doubt he can count on an endorsement from Andrew Sullivan in his race against Democrat Ron Klein.
Details here: Lieutenant Colonel West, who at the time was just short of having 20 years of service, was charged with violating articles 128 (assault) and 134 (general article) of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and was in danger of receiving a receiving an 11 year prison sentence, dishonorable discharge and losing his retirement benefits.
After being charged, Lieutenant Colonel West received support from conservative groups as well as ninety-five members of Congress who signed a letter to the secretary of the Army supporting him.
West was processed through an Article 32 hearing in November 2003, but was never Court-martial-ed. Instead in a deal with the prosecution, he was fined $5,000 over two months for misconduct and assault. He then submitted his resignation, and was allowed to retire with full benefits in the summer of 2004.
Not to worry. President Huckleberry will pardon him! Hahaha!!!
Posted by: BobInStamford | Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 06:37 PM
Just because he participated in a little target practice near the detainee.
Posted by: Captain Joe | Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 08:26 PM
The PC crowd will be responsible for millions of deaths. Hope I'm not one of the victims so I can be part of the revenge. The good people of this country can't stand much more of this cowardly PC BS and will rise up in a shooting war before long.
Posted by: Scrapiron | Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 08:47 PM
"--- The good people of this country can't stand much more of this cowardly PC BS and will rise up in a shooting war before long. ---"
And this is something to be greatly feared, as the political pendulum in this country seems set to swing so far to the left that Norway will be looking over her left shoulder to see where we landed.
Posted by: seekeronos | Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 02:50 AM
Uh oh, the 'necks are talking revolution again. Tsk, tsk. Methinks they need to relax and wait for Nascar season to start again. Something about watching cars drive in circles seems to calm them.
Posted by: BobInStamford | Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Bob, I'm afraid your has the market cornered on "regime change starts at home" and "righteous battle against the Chimperor".
Posted by: Techie | Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at 10:26 AM