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dimbulb · 09-20-2003, 10:05 AM

I think that its all too easy for us, here at home, very comfortably sitting in front of our computers, sipping our drinks, and eating our snacks, to pass judgement on the soldiers out in the field.

I'm pretty sure the Rules of Engagement require soldiers to make positive identification before engaging. That's just common sense. If you fail to follow these rules, friendly fire might result. Witness what happened in Afghanistan when allied troops were on the wrong end of several 500lb bombs. Not a pretty sight.

On the other hand, in the heat of combat, and with jittery nerves, its easy to make wrong judgements in the heat of combat. We have the aid of 20/20 hindsight. RPGs are fired from the shoulder. They have a rounded looking tube in front. Cameras are placed on the shoulder. They too have a rounded tube in front. Add in distance, nerves, random attacks, and a potentially hostile crowd. It's very easy to make a mistake in these circumstances.

Some of the comments I read here, make me think that some Americans think that the purpose of intervention in Iraq is solely to "crush" the Iraqis. Kill them all, humiliate them. What do you think is causing all this seething undercurrent of resentment against America in the Middle East? I like the principles on which America was founded, and I generally like Americans. But sometimes, sensitivity is needed.

You are operating in someone else's country. Granted, you are in control for the time being, but eventually you will need to be returning their country back to them. You are caretakers of Iraq. Note the word CARETAKERS. not overlords, not conquerers. Caretakers. The real battle is to win the hearts of the Iraqis, and this will not be achieved by reckless behavior. Kill one Iraqi accidentally, and you've made 50 more enemies. The goodwill of the Iraqi people have been squandered thus far. Where is the recontruction? where are the basic services? where is the protection and security that are the rights of the ordinary men and women? Why are women's rights worse now under the American "occupation" than under Saddam Hussein??

09-20-2003, 10:05 AM	#45 (permalink)
dimbulb Riiiiight........	I think that its all too easy for us, here at home, very comfortably sitting in front of our computers, sipping our drinks, and eating our snacks, to pass judgement on the soldiers out in the field. I'm pretty sure the Rules of Engagement require soldiers to make positive identification before engaging. That's just common sense. If you fail to follow these rules, friendly fire might result. Witness what happened in Afghanistan when allied troops were on the wrong end of several 500lb bombs. Not a pretty sight. On the other hand, in the heat of combat, and with jittery nerves, its easy to make wrong judgements in the heat of combat. We have the aid of 20/20 hindsight. RPGs are fired from the shoulder. They have a rounded looking tube in front. Cameras are placed on the shoulder. They too have a rounded tube in front. Add in distance, nerves, random attacks, and a potentially hostile crowd. It's very easy to make a mistake in these circumstances. Some of the comments I read here, make me think that some Americans think that the purpose of intervention in Iraq is solely to "crush" the Iraqis. Kill them all, humiliate them. What do you think is causing all this seething undercurrent of resentment against America in the Middle East? I like the principles on which America was founded, and I generally like Americans. But sometimes, sensitivity is needed. You are operating in someone else's country. Granted, you are in control for the time being, but eventually you will need to be returning their country back to them. You are caretakers of Iraq. Note the word CARETAKERS. not overlords, not conquerers. Caretakers. The real battle is to win the hearts of the Iraqis, and this will not be achieved by reckless behavior. Kill one Iraqi accidentally, and you've made 50 more enemies. The goodwill of the Iraqi people have been squandered thus far. Where is the recontruction? where are the basic services? where is the protection and security that are the rights of the ordinary men and women? Why are women's rights worse now under the American "occupation" than under Saddam Hussein??