Haditha

[lederhosen]

MSNBC reports:

A Pentagon probe into the death of Iraqi civilians last November in the Iraqi city of Haditha will show that U.S. Marines "killed innocent civilians in cold blood," a U.S. lawmaker [John Murtha] said Wednesday.

Article summary: on November 20th, a USMC spokesman announced that a roadside bomb in Haditha has killed one Marine and fifteen Iraqi civilians. From what Murtha and unnamed 'military officials' are saying about the investigation, it now appears that the civilians - some as young as three - were not killed by the bomb, but shot in cold blood by Marines as payback for the death of one of their own.

Military officials say Marine Corp photos taken immediately after the incident show many of the victims were shot at close range, in the head and chest, execution-style. One photo shows a mother and young child bent over on the floor as if in prayer, shot dead, said the officials, who spoke to NBC News on condition of anonymity because the investigation hasn't been completed.

A couple of points of note:
- According to his Wikipedia entry, Murtha spent nearly forty years in the Marines and Marine Reserves, including action in Korea and Vietnam, so presumably he does not make these claims lightly.
- The 'roadside bomb' story seems to have been abandoned only after Time got hold of video evidence to the contrary; don't go assuming that the incidents that make the news are the only ones that happen.

Comments

[frou-frou.livejournal.com]

As appalling as this is, it still amazes me that there are people who have the courage to bring these sort of things to the attention of the world. I really, really hope that the marines who did these atrocities are brought to justice, and in a criminal way, not just a military disciplinary way (although I'm sure that can be pretty severe too).

It amazes me that these people seem to think that they can do what they like. I wonder what else don''t we know about? What else is hidden in all those figures?

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

It amazes me that these people seem to think that they can do what they like.

I'm not sure much thinking was involved here. My best guess would be that these guys were tired, frustrated, scared, and couldn't deal with the pressure except through violence. It's not like they really stood to gain anything by killing small children. But put people under enough pressure and they'll do stupid, awful things, especially when they're armed.

I'm not making excuses for these men; if those reports are accurate, they're guilty of murder, possibly war crimes, and should be dealt with accordingly. But when you have soldiers under pressure in that sort of situation, it's all too predictable that crap like this will happen :-(

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

Which seems to be Murtha's point in mentioning it, AFAICT - he was initially pro-war, but his current angle is that it's been incompetently managed and that soldiers have been put under unreasonable pressure as a result.

For instance, looking at this particular unit's record (3rd Battalion, 1st Marines), they seem to have spent about half of the last three years in Iraq, on three separate tours (first one including the invasion, second including the battle of Fallujah). That undoubtedly puts them under a great deal of stress.

[usekh.livejournal.com]

I fear what is likely to happen is similiar to Mei Lai(sp?) a few scapegoats are set free quietly soon after. If it is even allowed to go that far.

[capn-arrgh.livejournal.com]

Mai Lai: Of the fourteen officers charged with the cover-up, and 26 others with direct involvement, the only Officer convicted was one Lt. William Calley who led ONE platoon of the force which exterminated some 504 civilians aged from 1 to 84 years of age. His initial Life sentence was reduced to house arrest before, after three years, he received a presidential pardon from Nixon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mai_lai

The hero of the event only died this year. Reviled by the us military as a traitor, it took him over 30 years to receive any award for bravely putting his life on the line.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Thompson%2C_Jr.

Those who do not remember their past are condemned to repeat it.

[sclerotic-rings.livejournal.com]

If I could leave this damn place, I would: it's only people like Murtha that make me have hope for the future.

[mdsteele47.livejournal.com]

I don't know how much has reached you about Murtha (one of the few bright spots that my state has sent to Washington), but he was the one who made headlines months ago by coming onto the floor and calling for a withdrawal of troops. Neocons spun this as a 'cut-and-run' strategy, and some poor (not really) rookie Congresswoman responded by saying, "Marines don't cut and run". The criticism rose Murtha to the status of cult hero for the anti-war set, an unexpected ally in the legislature with the clout of vet status.

At his age and political status, Murtha has no reason to grandstand and it is good to hear him fighting the good fight yet again.

[corruptedjasper.livejournal.com]

Because reprisals against innocent bystanders worked *so* well for the Nazis.

[(Anonymous)]

I read about this yesterday, I think over at Making Light. I was instantly sick. I'm still sick.