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.
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.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-05 01:56 am (UTC)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.
no subject
Date: 2005-03-05 08:44 am (UTC)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.