You see, don't you guys realize that the video was politically bad for the US's? This is not about the "Battlefield". This controversy is debated primarily in the political arena.
He made a mistake? How do come to that conclusion? From 2 minutes and 30 seconds of video?
Yes he did made a mistake. The marine was quite jumpy and afraid therefore he mistakingly shot the unarmed Iraqis. The logic is quite simple. The marines thought there was a potential threat but it have been claimed that there were no potential threat. Well, that was obviously a mistake. Besides, you know that everybody is not perfect. But, that is still not the best excuse to avoid penalty.
And also, 2 minutes and 30 seconds video can do a lot of damage man. There is a nasty propaganda war going on and this tape is another powerful weapon of persuading the international public opinion. It looks like the US is losing this kind of Propaganda war.
Glad to see college students are still capable of passing judgement.
Several College Students fought in combat in the past. And most importantly they felt an obligation to serve in the armed forces once they came out of high school. And please don't generalize.