A Different Take on the Fallujah Shooting

I don't know how much weight to give to this account of events in Fallujah by a supposed Marine (is it a true story, or just a hypothetical?), but it does provide a different perspective on what went on there. Whether or not this particular story is true, I do know that similar occurrences are said to have been commonplace throughout the last week, so it's understandable if the Marines might be slightly jumpy - which isn't to say that it's necessarily ok, but that is for the military courts to decide, not me.

Comments

[Jim]

I've been 40 years out of the Marine Corps - and none of those scenarios are in the least bit unreal. The first two are what happens to those who haven't been battle-hardened enough to survive. The third is what expereinced combat soldiers do automatically. BTDT

[Factory]

Hmm except in the video he walked up to the Iraqi and then shot him, not to mention they were still wandering around the wounded/dead Iraqis after they shot the guy, and even let the camera man talk to one of the Iraqis. Not the kind of behaviour that would level with being in fear of a trap or a grenade.
There seems to be alot of strawman arguments around this incident.

[mike]

Very funny that u are quick to see things differently just when it suits u. u r ready to use unsubstantiated comments, pull at loose threads... This is no different than the insurgents who justify various acts of violence on flimsy grounds. Let’s be honest enough to call it as we see it.

[Abiola Lapite]

"Very funny that u are quick to see things differently just when it suits u. u r ready to use unsubstantiated comments, pull at loose threads"

What a load of insulting horseshit; who the hell made you a mind-reader?

"This is no different than the insurgents who justify various acts of violence on flimsy grounds. Let’s be honest enough to call it as we see it."

Take your stupid crap and stuff it where the sun don't shine. I have absolutely no time to waste on fools who equate American soldiers with kidnappers and murderers of women and children.

[mike]

Interesting. Why is it so difficult to admit just this one time that an American soldier 'screwed up'? Hey, its your site, but chill out on the language...

[Abiola Lapite]

" Why is it so difficult to admit just this one time that an American soldier 'screwed up'?"

Perhaps you'd like to actually show that he "screwed up", rather than casting insulting accusations at others?

"Hey, its your site, but chill out on the language..."

I don't take kindly to being called a liar or likened to Islamist fanatics; you'd better take your own advice before offering it to me.

[mike]

There are rules of engagement. And I think that the military (who should know a thing or two about this) recognize that some rules have been breached. The US (military) must continue to uphold these standards even though the insurgents are sure to do otherwise. My point is civilians should let the military courts handle the matter. For now the excuses just seem very much drawn out.

[Abiola Lapite]

"There are rules of engagement. And I think that the military (who should know a thing or two about this) recognize that some rules have been breached.'

So everytime someone's actions are investigated, it is because the person has already been found guilty of something? By your lights every black man who's pulled off the street while driving must be a criminal.

" For now the excuses just seem very much drawn out."

You're the one casting about for flimsy excuses to find the soldier guilty before trial. Why don't you tell us what you'd have done if you were in his shoes, having been shot in the face the day before, and knowing about this? Tell us in concrete terms precisely what you'd have done that this guy didn't, or spare us all the armchair pontificating.

[mike]

Nope. Please do not mis-represent me. About ur analogy; every black man pulled off the streets can not be a criminal (that is for the courts to decide and this is consistent with my stand here), u r innocent until proven guilty right?. U r implying that I have some pre-conceived notion about this guy’s guilt. My stand has been one of allowing the military courts to handle the whole matter. My issues have been with people who seem to think that there is some thing wrong with this guy being “questioned”---- the same way premature excuses were made for the soldiers when we first got word about the prison tortures. Now I do not think that is unfair (no one can accuse me of being partial here).