Are Haditha-style massacres the rule or the exception in Iraq?

Answer 1

Massacres are mostly the exception, but that doesn't make them uncommon. They just normally do a good job of covering them up.

Answer 2

IMHO - Haditha style massacres are an exception, but still a reality, of every war. Soldiers are exposed to killing constantly. They kill enemies and watch their companions die. A certain amount of desensitizing has to take place. In addition, when you read soldiers first-hand accounts they often describe a frenzy or even blood lust at the height of battle.

It's not surprising that some soldiers reach a breaking point and basically kill anything that moves. It's also not surprising that a unit would act together in such atrocities since the military, out of necessity, basically does everything it can to beat the individuality out of soldiers.

Answer 3

I was in Iraq from April 2003 until June 2004 and I never saw or participated in any unlawful actions. As a soldier you are supposed to work in force according to the situation. Obviously someone throwing a rock at you isn't that bad as someone aiming a gun at you. So you have to think in terms of esculating force. This means using only the level of force necessary to stop the violent action.

Events like Haditha, and other bad things done by coaltion troops during war should be fully investigated, and those who commited the crimes charged in full.

Answer 4

By far the exception. But similar incidents have happen in every war. WWII, Korea, Vietnam, etc. It's only been in Vietnam and Iraq that the press decided they'd support our enemies and make headlines out of rare US wrongful actions.

Answer 5

They are an exception for US forces. (Notice that this has only happened once in three years?)

However - they are a daily occurrence from the enemy.

On the day that the pregnant woman was shot the enemy massacred 49 civilians - care to speculate as to why you did not hear about this?

Answer 6

Use your head. Do you think there would be anyone left alive there if thats what we did? And massacre is not the term you should be using. That word assumes guilt, and no one has been found guilty of anything yet.

Answer 7

They are more common than you think and most are covered up by the military.

Most are not massacre's. Most are one or two who are wasted where bad judgment was made.

Pulling someone into the street who is innocent and unarmed and execute him is not bad jugement. It is murder, pre-meditated!

They have admitted it so there is no question that it happened!

Answer 8

I choose to believe the exception.

Answer 9

It is exception.

Answer 10

your handle is a misnomer