Another Iraq thread

[justincyder]

First of all this is not an anti troop/anti war thread, but as a person who values and supports our troops regardless of whether a war is right or wrong.(Thats upto us to harangue the politicians not the ones they send in.)

The video linked below is pretty horrendous.

I should say it portrays US forces and not British and it may go a long way to demonstrate why British rules of engagement differ in that our troops have to wait until fired on before engaging, some say at a cost of British soldiers lives on occassion, but if it prevents incidents like this happening then I see it as a rule that should stay, to prevent such dreadful errors.

It also highlights the awful cowboy attitude and level of professionalism that is so virulent within US forces, the use of National Guard being extremely questionable at times.

[Sarah Kelly]

Im in a really good mood today so im not going to watch the thread but i would say;We have some of the best and most highly trained Professional soldiers in the world who deserve our full support,whether we agree with the war or not;certain uk politicians should be throughly ashamed of themselves underfunding our troops (which costs lives) then seeking to mislead people rather than be transparent about events,aswell as seeking political gain via visiting the troops they underfunded(eg.I would hold any politician in much higher regard if he went out there and DIDNT use it as a photo op) ... Regards the Americans, considering we are in a worldwide fight against terrorism let me just say "Not exactly helpfull" ..... "your own worst enemy" and " What the fuck do you think your playing at/how do you think you`re going to get people onside unless you sort your act out?"........ I have made myseld quite !furious! without even looking at the vid!

[justincyder]

Hi Sarah

Apt words given you've not seen the video yet, just for your info it relates to the killing of 2 reuters photographers by an apache gunship who mistook them and their group to be gunmen.

That in itself is possibly understandable, mistakes are made, but its the accompanying 'yeehah- get some' type commentary as they utterly obliterate people thats is the most bothering. Well that and the follow up obliteration of people coming to the aid of the wounded who were unarmed.

[Sarah Kelly]

hi... I just cant watch stuff like that....This is exactly why we let our boys get shot at first!Mistakes have and always will happen in war...What saddens me is,in trying to engage Muslims worldwide to denounce terrorism and help defeat it,the extremists are always going to be able to portray the West as infidels and killers of Muslim brothers when things (like this) happen... They are never going to show our medics treating any Taliban wounded or braving gunfire to rescue innocent civilians caught in the middle...In the battle for the hearts and minds for the young,the disenchanted,its hard enough already!

[justincyder]

Aye I agree propoganda will always be used by either side to strengthen their own cause.

The link I provided is not a propoganda film however, it is footage taken from the apache that was obtained using the freedom of information legislation.

Prior to it being available the US military denied they engaged civilians and stated that during the incident the group had returned fire etc, the footage clearly shows this to be an utter lie.

It makes me think that no matter how bad the mistake always be truthful, rather than be proven later to be a liar and to to have no honour left whatsoever.

The footage is itself is not graphic in terms of blood etc but it does show people being killed and that war is not 'glorious' in any sense of the word.

And it is precisely actions like this that further undermine support for the less cowboyesque people doing fantastic work out their and trying to save lives not take them.