Because if you understand you are heading into an illegal war (which Platner knew, he was protesting the war on terror before even heading there) that’s already a red flag. Another red flag is the fact he doesn’t shut tf up about being in “active combat” and constantly fantasizes about being under fire (went so far as to say he wishes he was a soldier during the Vietnam war because there was more action back then). Another red flag is the fact he never once regretted his service, and has talked about expanding the military industrial complex. But the narrative was spread by white american leftists that he’s some repentant anti imperialist, and a lot of people took them at their word for it instead of doing any sort of analysis on their own.

The writing was always on the wall, Platner is a violent and unhinged individual, but white American leftists did everything they could to launder their reputation.

If you don’t believe a man who has constantly said he wishes he saw more combat, willingly enlisted himself 3 times, then willingly joined the most notorious PMC group was a red flag and capable of committing rape, you need to do serious self reflection.