(Whoopsie!) 3 Iraqi soldiers killed by US friendly fire

[UpInArms]

http://www.indiaenews.com/middle-east/20061209/31910.htm

US troops mistakenly shot dead three Iraqi soldiers during a raid in Dolouiya, 80 km north of Baghdad Saturday.

The American forces mistook the three approaching Iraqi armed personnel as insurgents and shot them dead.

The three soldiers were deployed to guard the house of an Iraqi army general near the spot where the US soldiers were conducting a raid.

...very short blurb in an Indian newspaper...

[krispos42]

1. Oh, shit

Well, there's gonna be an "accidental" mortar round fired in the Green Zone in the next few days now. Yay.

[VegasWolf]

2. Iraq = FUBAR nt

[antiimperialist]

3. Maybe it was not friendly fire

If the Pentagon "underreports" casualties, I wouldn't doubt it if they distorted them too.

Remember Pat Tillman in Afghanistan? They lied about the cause of his death too.

[MethuenProgressive]

4. "Whoopsie" is pretty cold hearted, don't you think?

Real people, fellow humans, died violently. Tragic,not "whoops!"

[UpInArms]

7. oh, it must have been a "whoopsie", 'cuz I haven't seen an official

apology issued.

:hi:

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. I'm thinking the OP is being ironic. n/t

[Harper_is_Bush]

10. More inappropriately flippant than cold-hearted.

But it does demonstrate a lack of concern and respect.

EDIT: certainly any lurkers reading the OP's headline might see it as someone taking pleasure in the event.

[UpInArms]

11. so sorry to be "flippant"

am just disgusted that there is never a mention of this in our nation's papers - why am I reading this in India????

Must just not have happened. :sarcasm:

I'm disgusted with everything that this maladministration does and what our press does not do.

Why would a "lurker" mean anything to me - if a death means nothing to our press our our military commanders who do not even acknowledge it?

Reminds of those "jokes":

If a tree falls in a forest and no one sees it, does it matter?

Maybe you don't understand impotent anger, but that is what I feel.

[Harper_is_Bush]

12. Then learn from your mistakes instead of making excuses.

When I read "Whoopsie!", complete with exclamation mark, I get a picture of someone not altogether upset with the event referenced.

Sort of like if one of those celebs we love to hate accidentally exposed a crotch shot or ranted at a cabbie...too bad for them, but maybe we take a bit of "Whoopsie!" pleasure in it.

And I didn't say a lurker would mean anything to you. Many fellow DU'ers probably see it the same way. My point was to draw attention to how a completely objective observer would see it.

[Pithlet]

14. This DUer didn't see it that way.

I got the sentiment the OP was trying to convey. I don't think they were being callous or flippant at all, not even for a second.

[Harper_is_Bush]

16. That's interesting. 2 against 1, shall we keep score?

or do you want to concede?

There is no question that the written word "Whoopie!" conotates happy surprise.

[Pithlet]

19. That's not necessary.

Although I'm not sure your score is quite accurate, since more than two have responded to the thread with it's intended meaning in mind. I'm not saying that it wasn't flippant. I just think it's obvious the person posting it isn't actually happy those Iraqi soldiers died, that's all.

[Harper_is_Bush]

22. Actually, it is

I'm quite correct in my interpretation of the connotative meaning of what I read.

Regardless of where the OP's mind is at, my interpretation is accurate.

You seem to be missing the point that nobody accused the OP of actually feeling that way, which is perhaps why you jumped into the exchange to cast your vote.

[Graybeard]

20. That little word "Alert" is there for a reason...

...enough complaints and the Admins might delete the OP...no?

[UpInArms]

21. seems you do not read well - "whoopsie" does not conotate

a "happy surprise" - but a unhappy MISTAKE

perhaps your peepers need a check-up.

[Harper_is_Bush]

23. No need to insult me. I read quite fine, thanks.

And when I see someone starting something off - written or verbal - with "Whoopsie!" it connotates that they perceive an accident of little consequence.

That is the reality of the world we live in. But if you don't see it that's fine. I'm not going to play the "no it isn't"/"yes it is" game anymore.

[UpInArms]

24. no insult to after all that you have thrown in my direction

for your lack of understanding.

but I accept your apology nonetheless.

(edited for typo)

[Harper_is_Bush]

25. whatever

[krispos42]

26. Then score one more for Pithlet

I think the correct term is sardonic:

sardonic (adj.)

1. Scornfully mocking or cynical.
2. Disdainfully or ironically humorous.

[Critters2]

5. With friends like this....

Will someone please get us out of this nightmare?!!

[bowens43]

6. American troops kill dozens of CIVILIANS every week...

I'd rather see a dead soldier then a dead civilian , no matter what uniform he's wearing.

[partylessinOhio]

9. The Iraqis cannot do anything right. They follow orders and then are shot anyway.

How long before they turn the tables and shoot American soldiers dead?

[ckramer]

13. Today only way to avoid being killed is fleeing Iraq!!!!

What a mess by Bush!

[MGD]

15. Urban terrain is notoriously confusing. This is very unfortunate but not unexpected

This confusion and chaos is purposely amplified by the tactics employed by our enemies. I'm surprised there isn't a hell of a ot more of this.

[Christa]

17. I hate that term

friendly fire my ass.

Fire always kills or maims.

[leftofthedial]

18. that's okay

I mean if they waited 'til after dark, the headline could have read "3 members of IRaqi death squad killed by US fire"

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

27. "whoopsie"? WTF? Irony or not, they're human beings.