Casefile
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ANNOUNCEMENT!
🕑 Added 2019-10-07 03:57:29 +0000 UTCHello Patreon Listeners,
In an upcoming episode of From the Files, we will be joined by special guest, Justin Watt. (It won't be the next episode, but one very soon after).
Justin was heavily featured in episode 78 of Casefile: The Janabi Family.
In 2006, Justin was a Private First Class stationed in Iraq, who exposed war crimes committed against Qassim and Fakhriyah Janabi and their daughters, Hadeel and Abeer, by four of his fellow American soldiers. His actions put him into a dangerous situation as he was threatened, railroaded, and ultimately outed as a whistleblower, with the American people viewing him as either a traitor or a hero.
Justin is willing to field selected questions directly from Casefile’s Patreon audience regarding the case, his time in Iraq, and anything else of interest. Please post your questions or queries for Justin below.
Comments
Beth Fairbanks
Having a daughter in the military has made me question allowing such young people to enlist. I’ve met many that aren’t extremely mature. How do you feel about putting weapons in such young peoples hands. Please note I’ve met many that are the poster image of the military, but there are a few totally not prepared.
Hamish Freeman
Do you feel that there is enough mental health support, present in the field, for soldiers who have to endure some of the most extreme and disturbing situations during combat? Do you think there a way to ensure that service men and women return to civilian life more mentally fit, and if so, what might it be?
Hamish Freeman
How do you feel about the wikileaks "collateral murder" video that shows innocent people being slaughtered in a war zone by US armed forces, the perpetrators, and those who released it to the public?
Krista Reichwein
And most importantly, what do we do about it?
Krista Reichwein
I commend your moral compass, and your persistence. My question is, in all honesty... how often do you think these kinds of things happen? Soldiers committing murder.. and rape.
Susan Rachel
Thank you for your courage and honor. What advice would you give to other junior enlisted Soldiers in a situation like yours? Looking back, can you think of other resources you would advise using that maybe you hadn't thought of at the time?
Ms Olivia Barlow
Thankyou for doing what you did for that poor family. My question is, how did you summon the strength and courage to turn in the soldiers you knew were guilty?
AR
Do you feel like justice was ultimately truly done for the family and their community in the end?
Leah smith
What is your biggest take away from this case, your role in it, the military and the impact on your future
Jasmine Anahera
How about a background question! What made you choose your career? Did you ever consider a different branch of the military?
Grant Rutherford
I can’t imagine anyone thinking you are a traitor, but I understand some have thought so in the past. In the time since you came home and the news broke, have people been more sympathetic towards you or less?
Pansy Pan
Apart from the Janabi case - was there another case that stood out to your during your career?
Cindi A Ortiz
Way to go Justin! With people like you, I am less embarrassed saying I am an American. You are a true hero. Thank you for your service and your strength.
Zoheb Ali
Dear Justin, firstly I just want to say thank you for your service. The amount of bravery and sacrifice that you showed in making the decision to stand up and expose the atrocities that occurred in Mahmudiyah are awe-inspiring. My question to you is somewhat of a two-parter: how frequently do you receive negative reactions from the general public in response to your brave actions and secondly, what is your coping mechanism for dealing with these reactions? Thanks, Zoheb.
Leah Budd
Hero in my opinion! This is awesome, this was one of my favorite episodes! Being as I can't ask a million questions, I need a little time to narrow down my one!
