Society/Culture Victoria Cross winner Ben Roberts-Smith - Allegations of war crimes

[MC Bad Genius]

I know this isn't directly related to the topic, but neither is a lot of what is being discussed. Did anyone else read this article in Rolling Stone about the culture of drugs and violence amongst the elite military divisions in USA? Apparently there were over 40 deaths at Fort Bragg in 2020 (!!!) and there is a massive cone of silence around what has been going on.

The Fort Bragg Murders

At least 44 Fort Bragg soldiers died stateside in 2020 — several of them were homicides. Families want answers. The Army isn’t giving any.

www.rollingstone.com

The reason I posted it (apart from being a horrifying yet fascinating article) is that it seems to suggest that warrior mentality that was rife through BRS' unit isn't of course something unique to Australian armed forces.

Well worth the read.

 

[Schneebly11]

Just a new update on the case with the defamation trial due to begin soon:

Ben Roberts-Smith wiped laptop days after being told to retain documents, court told

The Victoria Cross recipient is suing the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age for defamation over a series of stories published in 2018.

www.smh.com.au

Out of interest, between threatening witnesses, destroying evidence and beating women in addition to his (alleged) Afghan murders and torture is there anyone out there outside of Kerry Stokes and News Corp still defending him?

 

[Over The Post]

Nine drops claim soldier Ben Roberts-Smith murdered Afghan man in 2012

Nine drops a claim that Australian SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith murdered an Afghan man in 2012 as it prepares its final defence in a landmark defamation trial.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Schneebly11]

Nine drops claim soldier Ben Roberts-Smith murdered Afghan man in 2012

Nine drops a claim that Australian SAS soldier Ben Roberts-Smith murdered an Afghan man in 2012 as it prepares its final defence in a landmark defamation trial.

www.abc.net.au

From their defence we still have credible witness reports of BRS committing murders including a "blooding" of a rookie, killing of Ali Jan, at least 3 other murders and two incidents of beatings. The dropping of the claim against the "squirter" seems to be out of lack of witness reports, but the other crimes still have quite considerable witness reports. I wouldn't be chalking this up as a victory to BRS.

https://www.fedcourt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/54198/NSD1487of2018-181009Defence.pdf

 

[Messenger]

 

[Messenger]

I don’t think is a good thing for Ben.

 

[Number37]

I don’t think is a good thing for Ben.

True to form.
How can anyone be shocked?

 

[Malifice]

She doesn't know him other than pinning a gong on his chest.

WTF?

 

[Doss]

What a creep.

 

[Over The Post]

I like the bit about buying her a huge bunch of flowers and then using them to hide from the door camera.

 

[Doss]

I like the bit about buying her a huge bunch of flowers and then using them to hide from the door camera.

Picture it with accompanying Benny Hill background music.

 

[Schneebly11]

True to form.
How can anyone be shocked?

The only shocking thing is that it was published in The Australian. The Daily Telegraph has been running articles in support of BRS (The West Australian of course too).

It’s very true to form. Not only does he intimidate and threaten witnesses who will testify against he he’s now progressed to intimidating his own witnesses!

 

[Schneebly11]

She doesn't know him other than pinning a gong on his chest.

WTF?

Going for the good character defence

I’m the former Governor General of Australia, I pinned a medal to his chest once and we had a cup of tea afterwards. He seemed like a lovely chap who wouldn’t hurt a fly so obviously he didn’t do the things he was accused of doing.

But as we’ve learnt she won’t be testifying for him so he’s up sh*t creek atm.

 

[Messenger]

She doesn't know him other than pinning a gong on his chest.

WTF?

He’s a big TV executive and a war hero. He can do whatever he wants you see.

 

[Scallop Industry Thug]

I hope this ****ing dog gets his. Shove your medals up your arse.

 

[JackOutback]

The only shocking thing is that it was published in The Australian. The Daily Telegraph has been running articles in support of BRS (The West Australian of course too).

The West have ignored the story for months but yesterday, when they thought something had gone their way after Nine removed one accusation from its list of allegations, front page splash. Somehow don’t think this will get the same treatment.

How long can you back an obvious losing cause?

 

[kranky al]

The West have ignored the story for months but yesterday, when they thought something had gone their way after Nine removed one accusation from its list of allegations, front page splash. Somehow don’t think this will get the same treatment.

How long can you back an obvious losing cause?

See multiple wars in afghanistan

 

[Baltimore Jack]

So looking forward to the Royal Commission on Veterans Suicides

Looks like the ToR will be widened to take into account DVA responses to Veterans Claims

 

[Schneebly11]

The West have ignored the story for months but yesterday, when they thought something had gone their way after Nine removed one accusation from its list of allegations, front page splash. Somehow don’t think this will get the same treatment.

Yep. They’ve been almost silent on the allegations and then suddenly report on one (of the weakest claims) being dropped as if they’ve been covering the story from day one. And disregarding the killings with tight direct witness evidence.

Of course all the BRS fanboys and girls on the Internet are acting as if the dropping of that one claim is undeniable proof of BRS’s innocence and proof of a media conspiracy to get him.

What do they say when they’re told of the dozens of SAS who blew the whistle on these murders? Are they leftist communist traitors too?

 

[Doss]

At its base what exactly is behind Kerry Stokes’ slavish loyalty to this guy?

It’s almost fetish-like.

 

[Over The Post]

Obviously a ****ing huge mancrush and seeking to preserve his investment in Victoria Crosses.

I must admit I rather admired the bloke when he got his VC. Scrubbed up well. Handsome, confident, very he-man, the kind some of us aspired to be when we were kids. Uniform hides the dreadful full-body tats.

 

[FireKrakouer]

I'm on my phone here, can someone please give honest cliff notes on what he's accused of and what channel 9 retracted? Cheers.

Also curious on the thoughts of ShanDog

 

[Over The Post]

Cliffs:
accused of directly killing unarmed Afghans and covering it up
accused of being party to killing unarmed Afghans by other soldiers and covering it up
threatening fellow soldiers to keep it quiet
threatening and intimidating witnesses
hiding and destroying evidence
being a campaigner

Allegation withdrawn:
one specific instance of dumping his kit, swimming across a river, chasing and killing a local due to lack of hard evidence

 

[Gough]

The difference between war hero and murderer is disarmingly small.

 

[Over The Post]

terrorist, freedom fighter
mercenary, contractor
war hero, murderer

depends which side writes it

BRS definitely well over the boundary rope though.