I know American Soldiers are doing good helping Iraqis. But Ive seen a couple of videos where they have been killing innocent civilians, hurting/mocking innocent people including children, and alot more. From the Civil War, WW2, etc. times, soldiers were more serious about these situations. Why are modern day soldiers like this?
2007-09-26 13:33:44 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Modern day soldiers are followed around by video camera crews capturing every little nuance of the war. The editors can cut that tape any way that they wish, so are you sure of what you are supposedly seeing on your TV?
Secondly, how do you know that Civil War and WWII soldiers were "more serious about these situations"? They didn't have camera crews following them around, and what films we do have of WWII were strictly controlled by the government at the time. They were censored for general viewing. You don't get to see everyday life with the soldiers at all.
I believe that the exposure to the constant media attention is not necessarily a good thing in a war zone. People with pointed views about the war can make pointed video to suit their purposes.
I do believe that there are illegal acts being committed, don't get me wrong. But I think it is up to the Military to deal with their personnel in a firm manner as prescribed in the UCMJ.
g-day!
2007-09-26 15:32:53 · answer #1 · answered by Kekionga 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there was internet and media coverage back then like there is today I am sure you would have seen the same thing from each war. Back in those days the media could only cover the highlights of the war because it was a lot harder using camera as they were still a new technology. They couldnt follow every action of the soldiers so they covered the high points that would capture the attention of the civilian populous. I bet there wasnt a war that has come and gone where the soldiers did the same thing, and I know that in Vietnam there was a lot of that going on as well. So its not just this war that this took place, but rather, this war has modern technology that is able to cover it a lot better than privious wars.
2007-09-26 21:04:02 · answer #2 · answered by woodchipper890 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We soldiers of this generation have many rules regarding many things we can do and can not do. Lots of these rules came from what soldiers did in the past. Being here you get the real truth that we have no real time for stuff like that. These clippings and "videos" that float on the news and internet only show a small portion of what goes on here. But I know the hard work we do often gets over looked by the few soldiers that havee time to make videos for youtube. I just wish these soldiers spent more time off just relaxing and preparing for the next work day rather than making us look bad. But to some Americans and Iraqis we already look this way no matter how hard we try.
2007-09-26 21:02:47 · answer #3 · answered by niki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The abuses you have described have been around as long as there have been wars. Today's troops are no different than those who came before them.
Those innocent civilians are not always so innocent, and nobody knows that better than the troops who are out there everyday. They are pleasant family men when the troops are watching, but the moment they turn their heads, the innocent civilian becomes a murderous insurgent who's mission it is, to kill and destroy our troops.
This doesn't necessarily mean that every Iraqi is laying in wait for our guys to stumble. However, there are just enough of them, that puts the rest in the same category of being potentially dangerous.
2007-09-26 20:57:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
During ww1 and ww2 ,vietnam,korea and the first gulf war you didnt have as much civilian press in the war zone. Its always happened. In vietnam woman and children were raped and entire villages were burned down. Our military is the most professional its ever been. Soldiers who were drafted had little respect for rules of war. Our soldiers are all volunteers and most serve honorably.
2007-09-26 20:51:52 · answer #5 · answered by Matthew W 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You will always get those that "abuse" their power in any organization. This is not any different from any other time period. However, today you have more media outlets and better technology to capture these moments. The only difference is technology. You didn't have the Internet and small personal cameras back then. You also didn't have so many actively fighting against their own country like we do now.
2007-09-26 20:43:36 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. Perfect 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to say this, but in this war ANYONE could kill you. They believe they are doing a great thing for Allah, and will die pleasing him. Men, women, children, all can be suspects/. As for the videos you saw, those are rare and it's sad they're the only ones to be shown.
2007-09-26 20:42:48 · answer #7 · answered by agonzalez 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it has always happened, it's just more out in the open now.
2007-09-26 20:41:51 · answer #8 · answered by nursesr4evr 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋