As I hear, read, and see more about the incident with the Marine shooting a wounded enemy in the mosque in Fallujah, I become more and more furious at the "mainstream" media. What has happened to the idea that you gather all of the facts to properly frame a story before simply spewing video and opinions?! I did a little time in Journalism class in college and it seems to me that the textbook was thrown out ages ago.
Iraqis condemned the act as "cowardice" and "something forbidden in Islam."
Oh, so I suppose that taking and beheading hostages IS an act of bravery and allowed in Islam? How dare the Iraqis condemn a Marine who is doing the work that they should have done themselves years and years ago? Where are the brave Iraqis who helped clear Fallujah of the insidious terrorist/insurgent presence and what do they have to say about this incident? You would think, from the level of hysterical reporting, that this Marine shot an innocent civilian who meant him no harm. Excuse me; I believe the guy was the ENEMY... had shot at and possibly wounded some of our guys in the first place. WAKE UP, people. It's a WAR! Look, our military personnel are well aware of when it is and when it is not appropriate to shoot a wounded enemy. If any country can be expected to police its own, it's the United States of America.
Since I'm not seeing any well-rounded, contextual reporting on this, allow me to provide some context to this story -- the Marine at the center of this controversy was shot in the face by an enemy combatant just the day before; the enemy has wounded a number of our soldiers by booby-trapping their wounded and dead; this particular enemy combatant was "playing dead" which is a common tactic to lure our soldiers in closer so that they can attack; and, lastly but more importantly, war is a scenario of barely controlled chaos, at best.
I'm furious. Look, human beings are fallable. Throw them in dangerous situations they will make judgements that will guard their own lives and those of their compatriots. Our guys are highly trained professionals and I feel sure that when the facts are made public and weighed in context with the situation, this Marine will be found to have been justified in his actions. Honestly, I'd much rather see our guys err on the side of protecting their own lives when confronted with an enemy in a risky situation like that. Shoot first and let Allah sort them out later.
Iraqis condemned the act as "cowardice" and "something forbidden in Islam."
Oh, so I suppose that taking and beheading hostages IS an act of bravery and allowed in Islam? How dare the Iraqis condemn a Marine who is doing the work that they should have done themselves years and years ago? Where are the brave Iraqis who helped clear Fallujah of the insidious terrorist/insurgent presence and what do they have to say about this incident? You would think, from the level of hysterical reporting, that this Marine shot an innocent civilian who meant him no harm. Excuse me; I believe the guy was the ENEMY... had shot at and possibly wounded some of our guys in the first place. WAKE UP, people. It's a WAR! Look, our military personnel are well aware of when it is and when it is not appropriate to shoot a wounded enemy. If any country can be expected to police its own, it's the United States of America.
Since I'm not seeing any well-rounded, contextual reporting on this, allow me to provide some context to this story -- the Marine at the center of this controversy was shot in the face by an enemy combatant just the day before; the enemy has wounded a number of our soldiers by booby-trapping their wounded and dead; this particular enemy combatant was "playing dead" which is a common tactic to lure our soldiers in closer so that they can attack; and, lastly but more importantly, war is a scenario of barely controlled chaos, at best.
I'm furious. Look, human beings are fallable. Throw them in dangerous situations they will make judgements that will guard their own lives and those of their compatriots. Our guys are highly trained professionals and I feel sure that when the facts are made public and weighed in context with the situation, this Marine will be found to have been justified in his actions. Honestly, I'd much rather see our guys err on the side of protecting their own lives when confronted with an enemy in a risky situation like that. Shoot first and let Allah sort them out later.
Comments