From the I-knew-it-was-coming file: Gates criticizes leak of Iraq killings

[unhappycamper]

Gates criticizes leak of Iraq killings
By Anne Flaherty - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Apr 13, 2010 16:16:18 EDT

ABOARD A MILITARY AIRCRAFT — Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Tuesday criticized the anonymous online posting of a video showing two journalists in Iraq getting gunned down by U.S. troops in 2007 as irresponsible and presenting a “soda straw” view of war.

Gates also defended U.S. rules of engagement in Afghanistan, saying that that the military takes extreme caution in avoiding civilian casualties but some deaths are unavoidable.

“Let’s also face the reality that we are in a war and our adversaries ... use civilians. They purposely put civilians in harm’s way,” Gates said.

Gates spoke to reporters en route to South America, where he planned to meet with leaders from Peru and Colombia — countries whose militaries have been accused of human rights abuses in the past, but whose cooperation on matters like counternarcotics have been crucial to U.S. interests.

Gates’ trip is seen as an effort to shore up U.S. support in a region where Iran is trying to expand its influence, and where Russia and China are making commercial inroads.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/04/ap_iraq_killings_041310/

[YankmeCrankme]

1. I love the "...puts civilians in harm's way." meme

Like it is okay to kill civilians because the Taliban puts them in harm's way. Yes, let's shoot the civilians because we need to kill Taliban. How about we restrain ourselves with the killing part. The Taliban aren't going any where, it is their country, so we can find them again. The civilians and their families would be happy we didn't kill them and would be more likely to support us because of that and if the Taliban injures or kills them and we don't it would probably increase their support of us in favor of the Taliban.

[gratuitous]

5. If they didn't want to be in harm's way, why are they still in Iraq?

Every place the U.S. wehrmacht is, the potential for a war breaking out is very present and very real. So, if they come to occupy your town, you better skedaddle if you know what's good for you.

[malaise]

2. No surprise here

Only Western journalists killed by those jihadists are newsworthy. Fuck those brown people. :sarcasm:

[CreatureFeature]

3. I predicted years ago....

That when the Democratic Party regained control of the government that they would continue the same foreign policies of the Republicans and continue the wars in the Middle East.

We are STILL in Iraq with no plans to leave anytime soon. We have escalated the war in Afghanistan and Obama still has Gates in power.

Despite all of the BS that has been spewed forth to the contrary, the last election was a referendum on the Iraq Occupation........

Why are we still there???????

[frylock]

4. yeah, those civilians looked like they were up to no good..

what with them milling about, minding their own business.

now try and justify them lighting up that van with the kids, fuckhole.