Drill sergeants reprimanded for bias, calling trainee 'Juden'

SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — In a letter home, a Jewish soldier in basic training at Fort Benning complained of religious discrimination and wrote that a friend overheard platoon members saying they wanted to beat him up. Days later, Pvt. Michael Handman was beaten so badly he had to be treated at a hospital, and his father believes the attack stemmed from an investigation of Handman's claims that instructors had harassed him and used anti-Semitic slurs. "I have just never been so discriminated against/humiliated about my religion," Handman wrote to his parents. "I just feel like I'm always looking over my shoulder. Like my battle buddy heard some of the guys in my platoon talking about how they wanted to beat the (expletive) out of me tonight while I'm sleeping." The letter alarmed Handman's father so much he contacted U.S. Sen.... [read full story]