I made a phone call to Camp Pendleton I discussed here, asking why the Camp Pendleton 8 were in shackles without charges having been filed.  Now, I see that they have been charged.  Folks, I will weigh in later on this issue, but for now a brief note on the charging of the Camp Pendleton 8.  A comment was left on another post by Sanda and Dennis Leslie as follows:

We were outside Camp Pendleton on Saturday, June 17, with more than 300 people in support of the eight Marines. The media have ignored this. What will it take to bring this travesty to the attention of the disinterested public?

Thank you for this thoughtful comment.  June 17 was prior to the eight being charged, but this comment was left after the eight were charged.  Now, I do not profess to know the truthfulness of the accusations (nor do I know that the accusations are false).  The information we currently know seems to me to be highly problematic.  See this post at Riehl World View for more details.  Michelle Malkin has been tracking this story too.  What I do know is that most Americans have been a part of the legal process before, whether involving jury duty, answering for a speeding ticket, or something more serious.

We have all seen the turning of the wheels of justice.  Needless to say, the process is not without its hickups, its bumps and grinds, and its hitch in its git-along.  Many of us know a juror who said, “I wish I had known that before I voted on his guilt (or innocence).”  Many Americans have seen evidence excluded, or evidence fabricated.  Many Americans have also seen biased jurors.  And this is with American witnesses and in civilian affairs.  Now, add the problematic nature of the witnesses and the hatred for Americans that some Sunnis in Iraq have, and the process becomes even more clouded, in my opinion.

I did not, nor do I now, believe that it was justified to hold these men in the brig.  I think it is absurd to believe that they were actually a flight risk.  In my opinion, they get the benefit of the doubt until and unless there is overwhelming and highly compelling evidence of their guilt.

Do I trust the system?  Maybe — maybe not.  The system is not perfect any more than the people who are part of it are perfect.  As to the comment by Sandra and Dennis, I would not look for the main stream U.S. press to come to the aid of these men in uniform.  Since when has that ever happened?