November 17, 2004
Sense Is Being Made
The fatal shooting of a wounded and apparently unarmed man in a Fallujah mosque by a U.S. Marine angered Sunni Muslims in Iraq Tuesday and raised questions about the protection of insurgents once they are out of action. [...]
...the incident could cause major political problems for the government of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and his U.S. backers at a time when Iraqi authorities are seeking to contain a backlash among Sunnis to the invasion of the former insurgent stronghold of Fallujah.
So the event could cause a political problem, but moral issues do not arise. The Pentagon has repeatedly trumpeted its having killed 1,200 "insurgents" in Fallujah, and reports have put the civilian toll at at least 800 dead.
But no political problems arise consequent to these activities. Or, maybe they do:
We are without allies amongst the Iraqi populace, including those who have benefited from the ouster of Saddam. Across Baghdad, Latifiyah, Mahmudiyah, Salman Pak, Baqubah, Balad, Taji, Baiji, Ramadi, and just about everywhere else you can name, the people absolutely hate us.... The Iraqi people have not bought into what the Americans are selling, and no amount of military activity is going to change this fact.
Posted by Eddie Tews at November 17, 2004 04:04 PM
Comments
I was in that Marine's shoes, then I'd err on the side of caution, too. The big issue is this: If you send men to war, they lives are going to end prematurely. It is for that reason, that nations should ensure they are taking up arms for all the right reasons. Despite their great big brains, humans have really short memories. If the Great War failed to teach us the virute of restraint, then nothing will. -- Posted by: Jeff on November 19, 2004 03:49 PM