'Friendly Fire' video

[andy at handiwork]

The Sun has the cockpit video of the 'friendly fire' incident. The footage the US wouldn't release, and that our government spent 4 years denying even existed. See it now before the injunction.

[Impish]

omg what a bunch of trigger happy fuckwits! *sighs

[Pervert]

No injunction: it's out in the public domain, and it looks as if the Septics have allowed the Government to use it.

Not often these words are uttered, but well done to The Sun. And respect to the coroner who wouldn't stop pushing for the tape to be used in his court.

Think we now know what the nature of the special relationship is with the US: the UK is the equivalent of a woman in a bukake movie, at best (a scat movie at worst).

[Officer Dibble]

"Think we now know what the nature of the special relationship is with the US: the UK is the equivalent of a woman in a bukake movie, at best (a scat movie at worst)."

Is that a general conclusion, or one specifically pertaining to this incident? Please explain your reasoning and brief us on any hidden agenda that you may have in whishing to spin this unfortunate incident one way or another.



Officer Dibble

[strictlybroadband]

Officer Dibble wrote:

> Is that a general conclusion, or one specifically pertaining to
> this incident?

It's hardly the first time US forces have been accused of being trigger-happy. In Gulf War 1, more British troops died at US hands than at Iraqi hands.

But the British troops should count themselves lucky they're not Iraqis, who are often treated as mere target practise.

[Pervert]

Okay, Officer. We constantly hear all about the "special" relationship, how it means we and the Americans are bestest buddies. What it seems to boil down to is the US says "jump" and we ask "how high?"

The MoD spent a long time denying the video in this case existed. If it hadn't have been for a lot of pressure from the coroner, the UK public might never have heard of the video.

I'd be interested to hear what your take is on this, Dibble. Do you think we are anything more than a lapdog to the US?

[Sam Slater]

War is war, and things can -and do- go wrong.

However these pilots were observing the British column for a while, and it's obvious they had doubts. Orange panels or orange rockets? Nobody confirmed anything for definite. Hell 1 pilot requested they go home and leave it, (popov35) while the other casually requested they kill someone before leaving!

Accidents happen but there were no split second decisions this time. They weren't in danger, or under fire and without 100% confirmation they should have left the column well alone.

It's a big time fuck up.

[Officer Dibble]

We constantly hear all about the "special" relationship, how it means we and the Americans are bestest buddies. What it seems to boil down to is the US says "jump" and we ask "how high?"

Regrettably (or realistically) that is the case with all such relationships where one partner is vastly more powerful and influential than the other. We can put our case and Uncle Sam may listen (certainly more so than if it was the French or Germans whinging). But the fact is that we are very much the junior partner, and, as in all walks of life, what the big boss decides is what ultimately goes. This is how the world works, and I'm sure you are aware of that. So why are you making an issue of it, if not to simply cause trouble and subvert our alliance with the US? Maybe you think we should team up with China or Vladimir Putin?s mob instead? Would that be more to your taste? Or haven?t you really thought this out? Hey, there might be some advantages to doing things the Chinese or Russian way ? like if a lot of pretentious young middleclass university people came down to Trafalgar Square to protest in support of some fashionable (in middleclass circles) cause, we could get the army to shoot ?em dead, a la Tienmen Square. Or, if some civil service whistle blower were to alert us to the fact that poncy civil service bosses were simply waving all sorts of immigrants into the UK (whether they were desirable or not) to save embarrassment the government could simply have it?s agents slip him some polonium -210. That would shut him up. Yes, there are plenty more agreeable potential partners out there for the UK. Not just those awful Americans.



Officer Dibble

[Officer Dibble]

"Accidents happen but there were no split second decisions this time. They weren't in danger, or under fire and without 100% confirmation they should have left the column well alone. It's a big time fuck up."

If all that is correct (and I'm sure there are a number of differing versions) what do you suggest we do? Maybe take our ball home from Afghanistan? Maybe send a gunboat to shell Washington? Or maybe just go into a national sulk?

Yes, it was a horrible mistake, yes it was a major fuck up, and yes shit happens in war. So just what do you propose we do? If nothing (as in - it was a regrettable accident), then why bother stirring the pot in the first place? Won't posts like yours cause our rivals and enemies in the world to rub their hands in glee and laugh up their sleeves? Are you doing their propaganda machine's work for them? Haven't you thought this through, Sam?



Officer Dibble

[Pervert]

The pilots should not be prosecuted. That isn't what this is about. An inquest, or the equivalent fatal accident inquiry here in Scotland, is primarily to determine the facts surrounding a death, and the coroner (sheriff) can then make a determination as to what lessons should be learned.

In this case, the information emerging seems to suggest a problem with US personnel with regard recognition of allies. An inquest would find that the US military should change its training procedures, in a bid to avoid further mistakes. What is so wrong with an open court of inquiry being able to make such a determination?