New NATO idea to avoid killing innocent Afghans

[NJmaverick]

Source: Associated Press

FORWARD OPERATING BASE RAMROD, Afghanistan – NATO commanders are weighing a new way to reduce civilian casualties in Afghanistan: recognizing soldiers for "courageous restraint" if they avoid using force that could endanger innocent lives.
The concept comes as the coalition continues to struggle with the problem of civilian casualties despite repeated warnings from the top NATO commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, that the war effort hinges on the ability to protect the population and win support away from the Taliban.
Those who back the idea hope it will provide soldiers with another incentive to think twice before calling in an airstrike or firing at an approaching vehicle if civilians could be at risk.
Most military awards in the past have been given for things like soldiers taking out a machine gun nest or saving their buddies in a firefight, said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hall, the senior NATO enlisted man in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100504/ap_on_re_as/as_afghan_courageous_restraint;_ylt=Ak8SJ94RRiR5QDdmceUv26us0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTQycWFrZXZpBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwNTA0L2FzX2FmZ2hhbl9jb3VyYWdlb3VzX3Jlc3RyYWludARjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzQEcG9zAzEEcHQDaG9t

[tekisui]

1. I know a more effective way we can avoid killing innocent Afghans.

[NJmaverick]

2. Your plan of letting the Taliban do the killing instead

is poor one

[ixion]

9. Yes, it's so much more enjoyable for you warhawks when

we get to do the killing. :eyes:

[NJmaverick]

10. Your label maker seems to be broken

as is your failed views of the world. You can try and hide the truth that your plan involves the sacrifice of 100,000s of Afghan civilians (the ones that supported the United States) but I am not about to let you get away with it.

[ixion]

11. Yeah, we'll see whose views are failed

when the US leaves, just like every other empire before them.

[NJmaverick]

12. Seeing how the President has already said the US is not staying more than 18 months

that's a pretty lame prediction

[ixion]

13. Again:

We'll see. Your faith in government agencies keeping their word is disturbing, at best.

[NJmaverick]

14. In a democracy the government is us (the people) so it's you that has the problem

of not trusting yourself.

[ixion]

15. "of the people" yeah, right

Have some more Kool-Aid® :eyes:

Naive, in the extreme, in my opinion.

[NJmaverick]

16. You want some more tinfoil?

:tinfoilhat:

[tekisui]

18. LOLOLOL!!! 18 months?!?! He never said we'll be

out of Afghanistan in 18 months. We won't be out by the end of his first term, and likely not the end of his second term. Get your FACTS before you spout off.

[tekisui]

20. Still waiting on that link that Obama

said "the US is not staying more than 18 months". Because all he ever said is that we hope to start to bring home the surge in 18 months. Just hopefully start in 18 months. That is a far cry from "not staying more than 18 months". A very far cry, probably years off.

[Flaneur]

19. Hyperventilate much?

[msongs]

3. we will not undo 10,000 years of afghan tribal cultural behaviors nt

[Robb]

6. Yes, those primitive savages will never change.

Nice progressive attitude there. :eyes:

[FailureToCommunicate]

4. Giving soldiers medals for NOT killing. This could catch on!

[ret5hd]

5. Will that medal be regarded as an honor or a "scarlet letter"?

[Jumping John]

7. So officers can say that yea you killed the parents but used restraint by not killing the

baby and children - so here's your medal?

[Nihil]

8. Hey, it's a start ...

You expect sanity perfection on the first attempt?
:shrug:

[pattmarty]

17. C'mon, after nine fucking years? Who's kidding who? I am beginning.............

..............to see Vietnam all over again.

[laststeamtrain]

21. I LOVE this thread. I really LOVE this poster. He knows his shit. n/t.

[WhiteTara]

22. bring all the troops home today would be my

choice.

[elias49]

23. Courageous Restraint Medal??

You must be shitting me. Is this an "Onion' satire or has Stanley finally lost his fucking mind?

:rofl: