NATO Considers Rewarding Soldiers for Not Killing Civilians

[The Straight Story]

NATO Considers Rewarding Soldiers for Not Killing Civilians


Still struggling to reduce civilian casualties in Afghanistan, NATO commanders are considering ways to award coalition forces for not killing Afghans. While not disclosing whether the plan would entail a new kind of medal, high-ranking officials said they intend to recognize soldiers who exhibit “courageous restraint” while operating in combat conditions.

News of the novel idea comes shortly after another deadly encounter between U.S. troops and locals, in which soldiers fired at a civilian bus near Kandahar City, killing four people and wounding more than a dozen. The incident provoked yet another protest against the U.S., with chants of “Death to America.”

The Afghanistan Interior Ministry said civilian killings from March 21 to April 21 were up 33% from the same period in 2009. The death toll was reported as 173. Not all the fatalities were blamed on coalition forces.

During 2009, more than 2,400 Afghan civilians were killed in fighting, an increase of 14% from 2008, according to United Nations’ figures cited by the Associated Press.


http://www.allgov.com/US_and_the_World/ViewNews/NATO_Considers_Rewarding_Soldiers_for_Not_Killing_Civilians_100505

[Brickbat]

1. I can't even come up with something smartass.

Wow. Just...wow.

[gratuitous]

2. Marching in groups, bristling with armor and armaments

We will recognize their "courageous restraint" in not using it against defenseless or unsuspecting or unarmed or trapped (or all of the above) persons. If this is what qualifies as "courage" anymore, then I am proud to be called a coward.

[arcadian]

3. We are through the looking glass

I'm just gonna start advocating all out anarchy from now on.