Friendly Fire always seems to be American

Doug Goulden

For all you apologists, and people who wanna criticize the US: Earlier Colonel Vernon told the BBC that Iraqi forces were using human shields to defend Basra. "Seventh Armoured Brigade have made reports of gunmen, irregular forces, coming forward with civilians in front of them - we assume being coerced," he said. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2886805.stm[^] Uptight Ex-Military Republican married to a Commie Lib - How weird is that?

Chris Austin

That is intersting KaЯl. I would venture to guess that the lower number may be a result of the increased use of air power to "shape" targets. But, it does seem like a small force to me. Hey don't worry, I can handle it. I took something. I can see things no one else can see. Why are you dressed like that? - Jack Burton

Doug Goulden

Now why would that be? :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: Uptight Ex-Military Republican married to a Commie Lib - How weird is that?

Sean Reilly

Apologist? For what exactly? Look, pointing out the inhuman lunacy of the Iraqi regime isn't exactly going to alter the fact that over the course of the last half-dozen or so conflicts that allied troops have been involved in, the overwhelming majority of "freindly fire" incidents have been perpetrated by US forces. Next you'll be dragging up Pol Pot as an example of "friendly fire". Human shields are not "friendly fire" in the military sense - as you well know, being an ex-military type!

Sean Reilly

Because despite, apparently, being a communist-terrorist sympathiser who dared wag a finger at Gods own people I do have a sense of humour.

Jeremy Falcon

Sean Reilly wrote: In your own paranoid mind. What was it you said .. Just so you can get your stupid insults straight... par·a·noid adj.

Relating to, characteristic of, or affected with paranoia.
Exhibiting or characterized by extreme and irrational fear or distrust of others: a paranoid suspicion that the phone might be bugged.

Sean Reilly wrote: what of it? Would you like to find hordes of people insulting your homeland without real reason aside from propaganda? Sean Reilly wrote: Is there some rule of law that prohibits people from voicing disquiet over American actions I sorta agree. We should let the Neanderthals kill themselves. Sean Reilly wrote: Is the US Heaven? Does God live in the White House? Inquiring minds want to know ... You're making my job of making you look asinine way too easy. Jeremy Falcon

Doug Goulden

Ohhhhhhh....... BTW I don't recall saying I was one of God's own people, not anymore than anyone else anyway, although I am considered quite handsome :-D Uptight Ex-Military Republican married to a Commie Lib - How weird is that?

KaRl

All I describe are historical facts. Where the crap?

Angels banished from heaven have no choice but to become demons Cowboy Bebop

Sean Reilly

Jeremy Falcon wrote: Would you like to find hordes of people insulting your homeland without real reason aside from propaganda? You really have swallowed the party line. So, there is nothing that anyone can fairly criticise the US about then? It's all just propoganda. Jeremy Falcon wrote: You're making my job of making you look asinine way too easy. Funny that you would see it that way. Somone makes a fair criticism of the US and you're off on a crusade ... I guess that explains a lot. Jeremy Falcon wrote: I sorta agree. We should let the Neanderthals kill themselves. You were talking about looking asinine ...

KaRl

Whatever the air power, ground forces are needed to occupy the field, especially infantry troops. Air control eases the attack, but doesn't guarantee by itself the victory, IMHO.

Angels banished from heaven have no choice but to become demons Cowboy Bebop

Sean Reilly

Doug Goulden wrote: ... although I am considered quite handsome "Mirror, mirror on the wall ..." doesn't count. :| And I don't recall saying that you had referred to yourself as the offspring of a deity ... I was merely "taking the sense" as Maggie was wont to say.

Richard Stringer

Won't need to - McDonalds-CNN-Levis-the net - they have already 'americanized' you. However I don't think that there is a cure for the illness that you have. It seems to be particularly European. Oh what the hell - we'll own the whole damn place anyway if a short time so why sweat the small stuff. Richard In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love; they had five hundred years of democracy and peace and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock. Orson Welles

Jeremy Falcon

Sean Reilly wrote: So, there is nothing that anyone can fairly criticise the US about then? I never said that. And there is a difference between constructive criticism and a blithe troll. Sean Reilly wrote: Somone makes a fair criticism of the US Refer to my previous statement. Sean Reilly wrote: You were talking about looking asinine ... Yes I was. :) Jeremy Falcon

Paul Belikian

Well, the object of the war is not to take control of the country; it's to free the Iraqi people. ;P It's very interesting that France wants a huge part in rebuilding Iraq. I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that they will be losing billions in oil contracts if Saddam is out and the US/UK are in?

Doug Goulden

Didn't mean to imply that it was the same thing, just aggrevated that everything in here is anti-American. Seriously though, and a lot more on topic, I think that there is probably no greater chance of an individual American soldier being killed by friendly fire than there is for anyone else. With body armor and a lot of the training these guys get, the incidence is probably less. I think you cn probably attribute most of the friendly fire incidents into 2 categories. 1. Technical failure - A supposedly high tech automated weapon, like a smart bomb, or Patriot missle going off course. 2. Mistaken identity - Shooting at the wrong person, or being in the wrong place. I seriously doubt the Iraqis have to much problem with smart weapons malfunctioning. And infantrymen don't have to be worried about being involved in vehicle accidents. So I think it really boils down to the reality that the US has had many more troops in the field than most any country with a free media. Do you think that Saddam Hussein or the Taliban would allow there media to report on a "friendly fire" episode? I think friendly fire has probably been around since cavemen started chucking spears at one another, the difference is now we hear about it. Uptight Ex-Military Republican married to a Commie Lib - How weird is that?

Doug Goulden

Sean Reilly wrote: I was merely "taking the sense" as Maggie was wont to say I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the phrase, not to be ignorant .... Maggie ? Thatcher, Margaret Thatcher?:confused: Is this some kinda stump the American game?;) Uptight Ex-Military Republican married to a Commie Lib - How weird is that?

Doug Goulden

Karl I'm starting to think you are a war groupie, if I could read your website :wtf: I might be able to tell.:-D Uptight Ex-Military Republican married to a Commie Lib - How weird is that?

Doug Goulden

Money, self interest, betrayal? Surely not the French? :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: Uptight Ex-Military Republican married to a Commie Lib - How weird is that?

JoeSox

Sean Reilly wrote: Is this trend due to the sheer prevalence of US forces and arms or due to a wider degree of incompetance? Looks like its technology that is a main factor. http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1048313137225[^] Sean Reilly wrote: Even rated on a proportional basis, the Americans do seem to screw up a lot. I am sure you never screw up. Just imagine screwing up when you are in a multi-million dollar aircraft, and mainly because the instruments you trust are wrong.:eek::mad: besides it is just not Americans, looks like the British have fired on there own troops. Later,
JoeSox
www.joeswammi.com
USN Veteran 94-98[^]

Lost User

KaЯl wrote: ground forces are needed to occupy the field We may be going on the assumption (right or wrong) that once liberated the Iraqis won't need to be occupied. Whip some aid on them, help them rebuild and let them go. Mike Mullikin :beer:

"I'm not calling you a liar but....I can't think of a way to finish that sentence." - Bart Simpson