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My own current "crackpot theory" is that the US hit the camp based on a tip from an Iraqi informer who was actually motivated by tribal vendetta...a person who would be happy to see children from the other tribe die. He told the US "the insurgents are here" (he knew they'd be shooting into the air at a wedding)---actually it was just a rival tribe. The US should have done more homework on this character.
Now, to counter the "shit happens" point of view: Let's assume for now that both sides of the story are right.
If the US Army sees a gathering inside a wedding tent that may or may not have children inside, then they should use restraint until they know what they're looking at. Err on the side of caution when kids are involved-- we're supposed to be the civilized ones. Also, the last thing the military needs is for the public to worry that the Army is killing kids over there.
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