Sounds like we have pretty much the same kind of problems going on in Afghanistan as we do in Iraq. The people of those countries act like they are on our side until one of the civilians get killed, then they hate the Americans again. This is a war zone; civilians are bound to get killed. I can never understand why the civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan understand that they might be killed by simply going outside their door, or even by simply staying inside (if a bomb gets dropped, or if their homes are raided), yet, they continue to gather in droves to attend religious services in areas of which they know are very risky. I see pictures of Iraqi children hanging around car bomb sites, huge groups of men protesting the Americans, yet ignoring the fact that, the other sectarian tribes and insurgents might be among them, ready to blow themselves up any second. The bigger the groups, the easier it is for a would be bomber to hide himself. What did they expect out troops to do before the returned fire (at the time of the ambush of the Marine convoy), stop and question everybody to find out who was the enenmy... Not only that, but our military guys are training these Afghans, and then the Afghans go right back and join up with the Taliban, and use those learned skills to kill our troops. We should not be paying these people a cent. I don't see any of the foreign governments paying the American families of the civilians who are working in Iraq and Afghanistan, who are killed by the sectarian tribes there. Why should any of their peoples' lives be worth more than those of our troops who are over there to help them take back control of their own country. Countries want our troops to help, but they put no value on their lives.
Seems the Marines are being treated a "presumed guilty" until proven innocent. That the brass even made these statements BEFORE the investigation is even completed smacks of inter-service animosity.It's not like these MARSOC folks are a bunch of green, inexperienced groundpounders. It has been my understanding that they are critcally screened for this special assignment. Something really smells about this whole incident.
A comment? Comment on which? Yes I am ashamed of the Army Brass statement. I guess if your unfortunate enough to be under his command you have a loud and clear warning to get a transfer to anywhere before your butt's on the line. He doesn't want to win, or loackes the basic understanding of what it takes, and he'll sacrifice the people under his command for his political asperations. If your stuck being on his security team, remimber this action and save your butt, because he's not going to hesitate to sacrifice your's to protect himself.
This combat operation was conducted because of orders from someone in command and was conducted responsibly. Marines doing what they are trained to do and how they were to do it. Now comes Col. John Nicholson and Maj. Gen. Francis H. Kearney III sucking up and covering his own self I know what my reaction to a situation where people who are greedy for the American dollar, who have ulterior motives like drugs and the power of propaganda, who are dedicated to kill anyone who is not Muslim would be far more vicious than what happened. There is a strong belief that our military leaders are under extreme pressure from politicians to fight fair. This, and the fact that George W. Bush is trying to micromanage combat operations by remote control while not being subjected to the reality of the situation, is causing our soldiers to be subjected to an impossible task and unnecessary risk. Cutting Deals and Political Resolutions are the Way of the Politician and Statesmen. War Fighting is the Way of the Soldier. It always has been and always will be. Our soldiers need the support of all of us.
If a tree falls in a forest and lands on a politician, even if you can't hear the tree or the screams, I'll bet you'd at least hear the applause. Paul Tindale
