...from today's Bob Hebert column in the New York Times:
"Leadership does not get more pathetic than this. Once there was F.D.R. and Churchill. Now there's Bush and Blair.
Reacting to the allegations about the murder of civilians, the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Michael Hagee, went to Iraq last week to warn his troops about the danger of becoming "indifferent to the loss of a human life."
Somehow that message needs to be conveyed to the top leaders of this country, and to the public at large. There is no better day than Memorial Day to reflect on it. As we remember the dead, we should consider the living, and stop sending people by the thousands to pointless, unnecessary deaths."
Haditha is probably going to be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes such incidents, Gayle.
Let's face it, Marines are designed to seize territory and kill people doing so. They are NOT trained to act as policemen.
Nor are they, like our army soldiers, trained to drive around in circles until they get blown up, which is what caused these guys to snap. Put anyone one under intense stress long enough (some of these guys are on their third tour) and even professionals will completely lose it.
Thus, my wish for nothing more than flowers emerging out of the barrel of any gun.
too freakin' cool,Paul!...the alignment is perfect and very well seen/captured...yes,did ya read the latest about civilian scandal in Iraq? will send you article...flower power,dude! peace,gayle
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