Two different situations. I agree 100% with what you are saying regarding moving into an unknown situation in a building in Iraq. It is something I would never want to experience. You do have to make a split decision, you have to decide if it is an enemy, an unarmed civilian, a US troop, or a wounded enenmy. I can fully understand mistakes happening, and am truly impressed that it doesn't happen more often in this building to building, room to room, fighting. US soldiers are the best trained, most highly skilled in the world. At least from what I see and hear.
This was an area that they allowed a camera crew into, and an enemy they stood over, and clearly the men involved didn't seem to fear for their lives. It wasn't a split second decision.
The brass needs to quickly remove this guy, have him evaluated, and an appropriate course of action found. Based on some of the quotes I've read, it seems he needs treatment, not punishment.
My concern is we are creating a situation that feeds into the enemies psychological plans. They are convincing a generation of the evil pigs we are, and when we have these abuses, it confirms what the enemy is saying. I want, for the safety of US soldiers, the belief in the enemy that life is better when they surrender. That they might not get 72 virgins, but they will get three squares a day in a nice warm jail, and be treated like humans. Wouldn't it be nice if they ran into our jails, fleeing their commanders instead of fearing they will be shot, or abused?
It is also the treatment we should demand from an enemy. It is on a much higher moral plane to ask for what you give.