*FACEPALM* Idiots!

[docwebster]

U.S. forces shoot just-freed Italian hostage, kill guard

Who the fuck is running that show over there, the Three Stooges?

Comments

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

Woah, before you take it out on the troops, read this again:


"At approximately 8:55 p.m. tonight, coalition forces assigned to the multinational force in Iraq fired on a vehicle that was approaching a coalition checkpoint in Baghdad at a high rate of speed," the military said in a statement.

The Italians' car made no move to slow down despite signals and warning shots, so U.S. forces fired into its engine block, the statement said.

If *I* were in Iraq, I'd shoot the car too, given that the last car bomb took out over 100 Iraqis. Driving that fast towards a checkpoint without slowing down is sort of like pointing a toy gun at a cop who's already got his gun out and adrenaline up.

You can't expect prescience out of the poor soldier who had to make the choice to shoot, or deal with a possible car bombing. He (or she) did *exactly* the smartest thing at that point. And I'll bet you that soldier is still finding a way to feel guilty.

[inkmistress.livejournal.com]

If you'd ever been driving in Italy, you'd know this style of driving is status quo!

If I'd have just been freed, I'd have been driving like my ass was on fire too!

Then again, maybe the captors mangled the brakes & Guiseppe couldn't slow down?
Ciao!

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

I'd say it qualifies them for an honorable mention for a Darwin Award, in that case.

[kylakae.livejournal.com]

While I absolutely agree with your take on italian driving, not to mention your thoughts on having just been released...

If you've ever been part of the military, particularly overseas and during war time, you'd know that a vehicle traveling at breakneck speed toward an armed checkpoint and ignoring warning signals, is likely to be shot.

[inkmistress.livejournal.com]

Did y'all miss the part where I said

"Then again, maybe the captors mangled the brakes & Guiseppe couldn't slow down?"

My Father in law is a Vietnam Vet and I would never second guess military personels decisions in a war zone. I was just sayin' is all.

Nobody can take a freakin joke anymore, eh?

[kylakae.livejournal.com]

Yes, I did. Sorry that I forgot to add the smiley face.

I wasn't taking it personally. I wasn't replying in anger. I was just sayin'...

:-)

[inkmistress.livejournal.com]

It's cool.
We're cool!
;)
That's what I hate 'bout the internet.
Lots of misunderstandings! :/

[kylakae.livejournal.com]

Awesome. :-)

You're right, it's so hard to read expression or intention through words alone!

[docwebster.livejournal.com]

Never said the soldiers were the idiots. Perhaps I should post a clarification.

[sinboy.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification. It did look like you were commenting on the soldiers.

[oceansedge.livejournal.com]

I will note - just in the interest of clarification and fair reporting - that that quote is the Pentagon's official statement on the incident - I would NOT be surprised to learn there is more to the story than that.

Question A) Did the checkpoint personnel identify themselves as coalition forces? If I were a hostage neogitator trying to get a freed hostage out of the country - I'd be worried about folks with guns blocking the road too - and if they started firing shots - I'd make a run on the blockade too.

I'm not saying that's necessarily the way it happened - I'm saying there is a lot more ways of interpeting this incident than one - and we by no means have the whole story yet.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

We're the ones in uniforms, with HUMMWVs and M-16s. At this point the insurgents don't really do checkpoints anymore - too dangerous. Burying IEDs along convoy routes and finding suckers for martyr duty is easier.

The driver was a moron. When the people wearing American flags on their shoulders wave for you to stop, you stop. One way or the other.