How Massacres Become the Norm - Dahr Jamail

[Roland99]

http://www.antiwar.com/jamail/?articleid=8806

U.S. soldiers killing innocent civilians in Iraq is not news. Just as it was not news that U.S. soldiers slaughtered countless innocent civilians in Vietnam. However, when some rare reportage of this non-news from Iraq does seep through the cracks of the corporate media, albeit briefly, the American public seems shocked. Private and public statements of denial and dismissal immediately start to fill the air. We hear, "American soldiers would never do such a thing," or "Who would make such a ridiculous claim?"

It amazes me that so many people in the U.S. today somehow seriously believe that American soldiers would never kill civilians. Despite the fact that they are in a no-win guerrilla war in Iraq, which, like any other guerrilla war, always generates more civilian casualties than combatant casualties on either side.

...

"These were more than two dozen military-age males. Let's not be naïve," Mattis stated before being asked by a reporter to comment on the footage on Arabic television that showed a child's body being lowered into a grave. His brilliant response was: "I have not seen the pictures, but bad things happen in wars. I don't have to apologize for the conduct of my men."

If the U.S. were a member of the International Criminal Court, Maj. Gen. Mattis may well have been in The Hague right now being tried for aiding and abetting war crimes. How can someone holding an official position like Mattis publicly sanction atrocities?

Much more at the article.

MUST READ!

[Darkhawk32]

1. This is a must read! Kick and Nom'd! n/t

[90-percent]

2. saw this yesterday

........Off of commondreams.com.

Really beelines to the heart of why War is Hell.

And especially to how our actions are not only expensive and tragic in terms of American Lives, but also even more tragic to the innocent Iraqi's the US Military has massacred.

The good news is that these actions on behalf OF ALL AMERICAN CITIZENS will perpetuate revenge driven terrorism for many generations to come, thus feeding our glorious MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL-CONGRESSIONAL-COMPLEX. Plus it will keep big oil in record profits for a while, too.

What's 2,400 American deaths, 50,000 American maimed and 100,000 estimated Iraqi dead compared to the benefits to our tiny ruling monied elite?

IF these guys all bank a few gazillion, then there will be some extra cash that will trickle down to us common folk. Unfortunately, I've already spent my $100 Christmas Bonus, but I still want to thank our patriotic troops for giving their lives so I could get it.

-85% Jimmy


:sarcasm:

[Roland99]

3. Kick!

[mom cat]

4. Also see Dahr Jamail's website: Iraq Dispaches

http://dahrjamailiraq.com/weblog/

[petgoat]

5. Also note that Dahr Jamail has signed the WorldCantWait

statement. (Scroll down to read it.)

http://www.worldcantwait.net/