More Allegations of Targeting Civilians
I’m skeptical of the source, but not so of the BBC commenter. Another investigation will be forthcoming from this.
Yet whatever it uncovers, the time for political leadership is now. Bush owes the Iraqi people an immediate response, including a pre-emptive apology that says something like:
“If these investigations uphold the allegations, I apologize for the actions of the troops under my overall command. This is not how we train or expect our troops to act, and if they violated our trust they will be punished fully. America does not stand for the deliberate targeting of civilians and neither does any branch of our armed forces.
“There can be no excuse sufficient, nor punishment denied if our investigation proves these claims. Whatever that outcome, I extend my personal condolences to the families who mourn the loss of their loved ones from these events.
“While I maintain my trust in the honorable performance of duty by the vast majority of our troops, I’m certainly troubled by these claims about a few and vow to get to the truth as swiftly as our system of justice permits.”
Leadership. It all depends on leadership now. Does Bush have any in him now to protect the rest of our troops and our nation’s reputation?
June 2nd, 2006 at 5:06 am
Who would believe it if he said any of that stuff? When he sacks Rumsfeld and Abazaid, I’ll start believing there’s some kind of accountability. Punishing the personnel on the ground, who are also BushCo’s victims, won’t mean a thing.
June 2nd, 2006 at 8:50 am
But, wait…. the BBC themselves say:
So, we’re to accept evidence from ENEMY FORCES?
And odd, isn’t it, that the BBC waits until nearly the end of the story before they thow that point in, nearly as an afterthought.
How much does it take to wonder if the BBC is being manipulated? The timing of this vid, and it’s source are both suspect, in my view.