Security Rounds, Marines Killing Wounded/Fallujah

Let me start this by saying that I decry any wrongful death even in war. I forgot that the terrorists in question NEVER use women and children in combat situations or to harm their enemy. Do we know anything besides this author's uninformed observation? He heard stories about women and children getting killed outright just for moving. Then he saw bodies and bullet holes in ambulances. Really? Which one of you can tell the difference between a bullet hole from a sniper rifle and one from any other projectile weapon. Shoot, who among you can even tell me what is different about the ammunition from a sniper rifle than that from a regular M-16? Do you think the author knows the difference? Did he know anything at all about the shooter from the bullet holes in the bodies or the ambulances? Did the author actually see the people or ambulances getting shot? Or did he just take the word of the people who say they saw it?
What about the blowing up of the bridge? Sure it blocked access to the hospital but do you think that is the only (or even the main) reason for getting rid of that bridge?
Our soldiers are fighting an enemy who uses the fact that we are Americans to rally the undecideds to their cause. They say we are trying to get rid of their religion and other bullcrap. Al-Jazeera show bodies of kids and women almost exclusively and then takes anecdotal testimonies from biased sources to turn us into demons in their eyes. What's to stop them from plugging a few holes in their ambulances and saying the Nasty Christian Marine Snipers did it? I won't go so far as to say they would kill their own women and children (except when trying to blow-up an infidel or two---collateral damage, ya know) but ambulances don't cry out in pain. BTW, any reports of injuries in those ambulance shoot-outs?Personnally I doubt seriously if any snipers are targeting civilians, noncombatants or ambulances. 1. They are too well trained for that and 2. They take pride in taking out the High value targets.And holmes: The 1 vs 100 phrase that makes you "sick" refers to using snipers to kill those high value targets thus striking fear into the enemy soldier's hearts. That way those soldiers would think twice before wandering back into a sniper controlled area.Additionally, I find it surprising that a group of people so staunch in their critique of unsubstantiated claims is so willing to accept this report without any critical analysis.I am in Antarctica right now so I won't be able to just jump up and reply to the expected criticisms of my post.

It would seem that I did rush to judge. After rereading your posts I saw that you did try to provide a little sanity amoung the extreme posts that were before yours. I got carried away by that same extremism and it landed on you. Oops...wrong target.I definitely do not agree with the guy who wrote the letter...at least not to that extreme. I read the article and the only really upsetting part is the Marine corporal saying that he purposely wounds before killing. That is wrong and if he is found out he will no longer be a sniper. Sorry folks... that shit just ain't allowed. Good riddance BTW.The real problem is we are in a war, and they are messy things despite "precision" weapons. Resources are always strained (interpreters), people don't act rationally when in a panic (referenced mostly to civilians). Add to that an enemy who has no problem sending out human bombs and you have a recipe for bad things happening to those who aren't our enemy and don't deserve.One thing that is not mentioned is the tendancy of our military personel to characterize the enemy as something less than human. This has been done in every war and continues today. Sure the commanders pay lip service to "equal rights" and saving the people of Iraq. However, the general foot soldier uses the term "raghead" and stories are circulated that indicate the Arabs are nasty, dirty, stupid and backward. All Arabs, not just our enemies. I know this 'cause I've been in the military and seen the stories circulate. I hated it then and feel the same now.edited to fix the sigThis message has been edited by LinearAq, 01-03-2005 00:36 AM

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Remember; your enemy rarely thinks he is evil. Knowing this can help you find a means of compromising and finding peace...or, in failing that, you can kill him without wasting precious energy on hate.

You're in Iraq? Armed Forces? Regardless, I respect you for being there when it is needed.I agree with some of your stated opinions but I think you are a bit on the extreme side. All of us here know that there are times when women and children are shot. Some warranted...some not. I believe that most of the unwarranted ones are accidents or mistakes.I think that this is a matter of those mistakes being blown out of proportion a bit...added on to the bad publicity that occurred from the prison. Additionally, the guys that hate the US are pretty good at cooking up some juicy stories.BTW, I HAVE been in the military and I know what kind of bigotry exists and is tolerated by most. So, don't think you can blow smoke that easily. It doesn't mean that everyone agrees or likes it. However, not saying anything can be construed as accepting.