I don't recall anyone on Gransnet specifically defending Phil Shiner. I did, however, say that I have worked for a firm of human rights solicitors and I very much respected the work that they did.
Just because this man has behaved badly doesn't mean that all lawyers doing this sort of work are doing the same, nor does it mean that all the cases relating to the abuse of civilians are false.
I agree with the point regarding sending soldiers to wars under false pretexts and of not providing the proper equipment. However, they are people doing a job - some incredibly brave, some not - for which they should be properly paid, housed and equipped, which, despite all the talk of bravery and heroes, doesn't appear to happen.