"This is a military action"

[Stinky The Clown]

The attacks in Mumbai were just called a "military operation" on MSNBC.

Okay ...... guys with guns. Many dead, Hostages. The Indian version of several SWAT teams are on the scene - maybe they're army guys, maybe police.

BUT ......


This is an attack on two hotels in the middle of a major city.

This is a POLICE action ..... to be sure.

This is not good news ...... to be sure.

This needs a big response ..... maybe.





But to call it a "military action" ......... ?




I hate the dishonest media.

[lxlxlxl]

1. The Clean Cut Distinction b/w Army and Police doesnt exist as clearly in the rest of the world.

The people are poor, and so are their law enforcement people. The distinction doesnt mean much between police and military.

Plus, Mumbai is HUGE. You can't let madness like that get out of control. I hope we've passed the peak of violence, and it will not spread.

[jody]

2. Comments by lxlxlxl are consistent with my experience in foreign engagements. n/t

[Winterblues]

3. In this "Global War on Terra" anyone with a gun represent a military action.

We have not killed a uniformed soldier in our seven year long "War" in almost seven years...Yet we keep killing people, women, children, it makes no difference, it is all a "military action". I wonder if our "Troops" are proud of their "combat"....

[Winterblues]

4. dupe

[gratuitous]

5. Well sure

Which means that anyone arrested can be designated an "enemy combatant" and subject to whatever whims strike their captors' fancy. Of course, there's always the possibility that this is just sloppy reporting, but turning a police action into a military action opens the door for all sorts of Bush-inspired mischief. And it will be real hard for the U.S. to protest such a cynical manipulation of events by other countries for at least a couple of years.