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US military helicopter mows down 17 innocent civilians

polycounter lvl 19
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poopinmymouth polycounter lvl 19
No major US media stations are covering this and it's ridiculous. I don't care how controversial this topic is, this is something that Americans need to be aware of that the military is doing. The only reason this is even news is because two Reuters employees are among the dead. This literally happens to thousands of people in the middle east and we never hear about it. Fuck every american that supports the wars in the middle east, you're worthless human shit.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rXPrfnU3G0[/ame]




07:18 Bushmaster; Crazyhorse. We have individuals going to the scene, looks like possibly uh picking up bodies and weapons.
07:25 Let me engage.
07:28 Can I shoot?
07:31 Roger. Break. Uh Crazyhorse One-Eight request permission to uh engage.
07:36 Picking up the wounded?
07:38 Yeah, we're trying to get permission to engage.
07:41 Come on, let us shoot!

16:49 Roger, I've got uh eleven Iraqi KIAs [Killed In Action]. One small child wounded. Over.
16:57 Roger. Ah damn. Oh well.

17:46 Well it's their fault for bringing their kids into a battle.
17:48 That's right.

I'm terrified of brown people. I need to be protected. I need you to buy the most expensive weapons to protect me. I need you to buy missiles that can destroy people's homes from a thousand miles away. I need you to buy helicopters that fire a million rounds of depleted uranium bullets per minute. I need you to have supersonic fighter jets that can drop laser-guided bombs on places of worship. I need gigantic steel ships that float in the ocean, waiting for the opportunity to release a storm of metal hail onto the mainland, where they live. Where they lived. I need robots. I need robots that can hunt. I need hunting robots to hunt them out no matter where they run and to launch missiles that will chase them. I need chasing, hunting missiles to hunt and chase them no matter where they run. I want robots to chase them becuase robots never get tired. I want inexhaustible solar powered flying robots to chase them across the desert where the sun never sets. I want the light from the weapons to make the sun seem insignificant. I want tireless robots in pursuit of brown people across the entire earth. I need your machine to defend me. I need you to kill thousands of brown people until I feel safe." - An Average American, 2010

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  • aesir
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    aesir polycounter lvl 18
    yea, saw that on digg, but can't watch the whole thing at work.

    in reality, there's no war where a military hasn't been responsible for some fucked up shit. There's always gonna be some evil people within a military. What's disappointing is the cover up. I don't really see t he need for it. Is it really so damaging to prosecute our own soldiers?
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    Yes, tragedy like this is terrible.

    The American military is also engaged in a military conflict with a force that intentionally tries to blend in with civilians and mimic civilian activity, with the specific aim of muddying the fog of war and causing civilian casualties. Just because the US army has much, much better means to record this shit doesnt mean they're the only player in this 'war' that's leading to danger to civillians.

    How is war in the middle east any more evil than any other war? Do you oppose war universally, or only for specific reasons in this case, or only when a major western nation is involved?

    To clarify this a bit, if you just oppose war in general then i have a lot of respect for that, governments are fucking barbaric when it comes to that shit. But to oppose something so isolated, specific, and complex as 'evil yanks playing god with helicopters and killing possible civilians due to false intelligence and errors in judgement potentially effected by racism in the west' is stupid sensationalist bullshit.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    aesir wrote: »
    What's disappointing is the cover up. I don't really see t he need for it. Is it really so damaging to prosecute our own soldiers?

    What cover up? Do you know how many soldiers are prosecuted for shit like this? The american military is not the BEST beurocracy in the world when it comes to internal affairs, but they still do a pretty damn good job. These people are almost certainly going to be prosecuted in military court, which is a largely private matter.

    Just because the american media isnt interested in picking the story up for whatever silly reasons doesn't mean there's some kind of evil government conspiracy going down here.
  • aesir
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    aesir polycounter lvl 18
    "5th April 2010 10:44 EST WikiLeaks has released a classified US military video depicting the indiscriminate slaying of over a dozen people in the Iraqi suburb of New Baghdad -- including two Reuters news staff.

    Reuters has been trying to obtain the video through the Freedom of Information Act, without success since the time of the attack. The video, shot from an Apache helicopter gun-site, clearly shows the unprovoked slaying of a wounded Reuters employee and his rescuers. Two young children involved in the rescue were also seriously wounded.

    The military did not reveal how the Reuters staff were killed, and stated that they did not know how the children were injured.

    After demands by Reuters, the incident was investigated and the U.S. military concluded that the actions of the soldiers were in accordance with the law of armed conflict and its own "Rules of Engagement".

    Consequently, WikiLeaks has released the classified Rules of Engagement for 2006, 2007 and 2008, revealing these rules before, during, and after the killings.

    WikiLeaks has released both the original 38 minutes video and a shorter version with an initial analysis. Subtitles have been added to both versions from the radio transmissions.

    WikiLeaks obtained this video as well as supporting documents from a number of military whistleblowers. WikiLeaks goes to great lengths to verify the authenticity of the information it receives. We have analyzed the information about this incident from a variety of source material. We have spoken to witnesses and journalists directly involved in the incident.

    WikiLeaks wants to ensure that all the leaked information it receives gets the attention it deserves. In this particular case, some of the people killed were journalists that were simply doing their jobs: putting their lives at risk in order to report on war. Iraq is a very dangerous place for journalists: from 2003- 2009, 139 journalists were killed while doing their work."
  • Thegodzero
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    Thegodzero polycounter lvl 18
    aesir wrote: »
    ...There's always gonna be some evil people within a military. What's disappointing is the cover up.

    Yeah who would have imagined that paying people to kill people would bring out the people who want to kill people. There will ALWAYS be people who are there not to help people but just because they get to shoot people. It's the job of the commanding officer to keep them on a leash so that things like this don't happen. The people who did this should be tried for war crimes, as well as the commanding officers who didn't stop it.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    And? Believe it or not, the united states military is kindof private about their classified videos and not interested in discussing ongoing cases or ongoing wars with the media when avoidable. I have a lot of solidarity with and understanding for reporters, i grew up around newspapers, but just because the man doesnt want to co-operate with freedom of information doesnt mean they're actually trying to hide anything for malicious reasons.
  • Cojax
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    Cojax polycounter lvl 10
    It looked to me like one of those guys had an RPG, or something closely resembling the shape. That camera man was hanging around to grab some pictures? If you hang around guys with weapons in a war zone you could get killed. He knew the risks, terrible it happened, but he knew the risk he was taking. All war time journalist do. Also stated in this thread, these guy intentionally surround them selves with civilians. Everyone living in that region should know now, after almost 8 years. If your around these guys you could get killed at any moment as collateral damage. What I'm trying to say is you can't pin this whole thing 100% on the US soldiers. They followed the rules of engagement, they are human and make mistakes. I refuse to believe that all these guys are the blood thrusty monsters you try to make them out to be.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    Thegodzero wrote: »
    Yeah who would have imagined that paying people to kill people would bring out the people who want to kill people. There will ALWAYS be people who are there not to help people but just because they get to shoot people. It's the job of the commanding officer to keep them on a leash so that things like this don't happen. The people who did this should be tried for war crimes, as well as the commanding officers who didn't stop it.

    What war crimes? War is a horrible environment, where a minor mistake in your job -- pulling the trigger when a good guy picks up a gun instead of when an identical 'bad guy' picks up a gun -- results in several innocent deaths. That does not, however, mean that the individuals in question committed some evil murderous act, it just means that war fucking sucks and videos like this should be a lesson to people that we need to stop that shit when it isnt necessary.
  • Tulkamir
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    Tulkamir polycounter lvl 18
    SupRore wrote: »
    Do you oppose war universally, or only for specific reasons in this case, or only when a major western nation is involved?

    I'd say you have to be pretty silly not to oppose it universally. Not saying that it shouldn't happen when you are attacked, but on the universal level, why would you not oppose it? The only time war is needed is when someone else starts a war. :P
  • Hoopla!
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    Hoopla! polygon
    war is wrong, no way around it.

    the u.s. should stop playing world police and start funding education.

    /end of my political comments on this forum.
  • aesir
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    aesir polycounter lvl 18
    this is the largest area of disagreement in these conversations. Some people think it's acceptable to kill children if they're in the same vicinity as people who might be enemies, and some people think it's not ok.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    Tulkamir wrote: »
    I'd say you have to be pretty silly not to oppose it universally. Not saying that it shouldn't happen when you are attacked, but on the universal level, why would you not oppose it? The only time war is needed is when someone else starts a war. :P


    I agree with you up to the part that i bolded.

    That, however, is a massive grey area. Find me a single war in history where you can clearly say whether the aggressor or defender started it. For example, the mainstream american view was for quite some time that iraq started it. Depending on how you interpret history, you could easily, decisively argue that they did if you want. Additionally, is, like, lining up missile silos right outside of another nation an act of aggression? If not, can you really defend yourself after they've leveled all of your cities and military bases?

    Like it or not, war as a political entity is extremely complex. If war is ever okay, then deciding when exactly it is okay and when it isnt is not going to be an easy task.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    aesir wrote: »
    this is the largest area of disagreement in these conversations. Some people think it's acceptable to kill children if they're in the same vicinity as people who might be enemies, and some people think it's not ok.

    Are you joking?

    Nobody ever thinks that's okay. However, who's to blame? The guy who fires his rifle out of a building full of civillians, or the guy who cant stop him without risking hitting them?

    (correct answer is:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_d8C4AIFgUg[/ame]

    )
  • Calabi
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    Calabi polycounter lvl 12
    That isnt even war, thats just some guys in their chopper randomnly shooting at shit.

    Its scary, if they can just go with that amount of intell.

    Its their fault for walking down their own street in their own city.

    I think even the UK has rules where they dont engage anyone unless they are specifically under threat and are very clear of what and where that threat is.
  • bounchfx
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    bounchfx mod
    how about you not posting a gif image of people being killed?

    the fuck, dude.
  • Justin Meisse
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    Justin Meisse polycounter lvl 18
    I really don't know anyone under the age of 40 that watches televised news anymore. Television is following the Newspaper down the drain.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    Calabi wrote: »
    I think even the UK has rules where they dont engage anyone unless they are specifically under threat and are very clear of what and where that threat is.

    Do you know what following those rules looks like in a small video snippet out of context?


    Seriously, i'm not pro war at all, but i'm anti sensationalist propagandized bullshit. This is dishonest hysteria fueled nonsense. War sucks, and should be stopped, but this is not a couple of guys going out on a murder joyride in a million dollar machine.
  • Cojax
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    Cojax polycounter lvl 10
    aesir wrote: »
    this is the largest area of disagreement in these conversations. Some people think it's acceptable to kill children if they're in the same vicinity as people who might be enemies, and some people think it's not ok.

    I didn't see any children in that video. It's also ridiculous to stat that anyone here would approve of killing children. Its horrible.
  • aesir
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    aesir polycounter lvl 18
    Cojax wrote: »
    I didn't see any children in that video. It's also ridiculous to stat that anyone here would approve of killing children. Its horrible.

    most americans approve of nuking japan right? I don't think I'm out of line saying that.
  • Cojax
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    Cojax polycounter lvl 10
    aesir wrote: »
    most americans approve of nuking japan right? I don't think I'm out of line saying that.

    Now your just blowing things way out of context man.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    kinda like when america nuked japan, cojax
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    anyway guys believe it or not most soldiers, american or otherwise, are not some kind of sociopathic murderbots. Try talking to one, surprisingly enough they walk around in normal human being society a lot. Most of them probably agree with you that war sucks and human death is tragedy, weirdly enough that's a kinda universal human feeling.
  • aesir
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    aesir polycounter lvl 18
    is it time to post kittens with sniper rifles yet?
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    I think the appropriate, good taste thing to do would be photoshop kittens in place of the men in ben's gif.
  • ScoobyDoofus
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    ScoobyDoofus polycounter lvl 19
    Yeah. This is terrible. Hopefully these guys get dealt with to the fullest extent the law provides. I used to live with a Marine who cycled out just before the conflict began. Then a couple of his friends rotated back to The States after a tour in Afghanistan. They spent the entire time at my apt lamenting the fact that they didn't get to kill anybody. The psychotic murderous attitude, and the glee with which they talked about this stuff was appalling. So they amused themselves gaming the system & rules to allow themselves to blow up camels, cars, buildings, anything they could even barely justify. It infuriated me.

    I support a strong national defense, because like it or not, believe it or not...there are assholes like this in other countries(everywhere really) too who would, given 1/2 an opportunity do this type of thing to you, your children, and everybody you know and love. For fun. For their god. For their country. For any reason they can justify/rationalize. Human beings are fucked up.

    I have to ask though...is this any worse than the videos of journalists or contractors getting their heads chopped off? This is just a peek at the horrible, brutal nature of humanity, not America in particular. Welcome to life on Planet Earth.
  • Calabi
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    Calabi polycounter lvl 12
    SupRore wrote: »
    Do you know what following those rules looks like in a small video snippet out of context?


    Seriously, i'm not pro war at all, but i'm anti sensationalist propagandized bullshit. This is dishonest hysteria fueled nonsense. War sucks, and should be stopped, but this is not a couple of guys going out on a murder joyride in a million dollar machine.

    All I'm saying is they appeared to pose no immediate threat to anyone. Its that kind of behaviour that doesnt enamour anyone. The way it looks(the reality could be another way) a premediated, first strike against, civilians.

    Few people sympathise with the ones that hit first, unless they are really provoked and they didnt appear to have been provoked.

    Saying that though, the UK rules kind of go in the opposite direction. Theres stories of the soldiers being mortar'd and can clearly see those doing it but not being allowed to engage them because of the rules.
  • Joseph Silverman
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    Joseph Silverman polycounter lvl 17
    Calabi wrote: »
    All I'm saying is they appeared to pose no immediate threat to anyone.

    The military obviously thought otherwise, or this helicopter wouldnt have been out there. Do you know what had been going on in the area in the hours leading up to this? Do you know what kind of weapons they were thought to have? Do you know what kinds of possible targets were in the area?

    I don't know the answer to any of those questions, if you've got some kind of magic war crimes ESP that lets you know this was reckless by all means keep criticizing.
  • hijak
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    The world is fucking brutal, its not like Americans are the only ones. Are they to be held to a higher standard because they have helicopters, and better weapons. Why don't we just start posting videos of an machete gang massacre in Africa, or of some people cutting off a women's clitoris, its easy to post something like this and say how horrible it is but how many horrible things are not caught on tape, if its such a concern go out there with a camera and find some injustice, film it and show the world, or just hop on the bandwagon of what someone else (WIKILEAK) is telling you.
  • rebb
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    rebb polycounter lvl 17
    Oh wow, i love how the guy can't tell a telephoto-lens from an RPG.

    People are stupid, this is what happens if you let them be stupid behind Weapons that require mere Videogame Skills to use.

    "Got some guy crawling around. We'll shoot some more. Nice. Nice. Good shooting."
    Why am i getting pictures in my head of some kids trying to get an XBox achievement ?

    Sorry i get really wound up watching something like this.
  • MattQ86
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    MattQ86 polycounter lvl 15
    I'm terrified of brown people. I need to be protected. I need you to buy the most expensive weapons to protect me. I need you to buy missiles that can destroy people's homes from a thousand miles away. I need you to buy helicopters that fire a million rounds of depleted uranium bullets per minute. I need you to have supersonic fighter jets that can drop laser-guided bombs on places of worship. I need gigantic steel ships that float in the ocean, waiting for the opportunity to release a storm of metal hail onto the mainland, where they live. Where they lived. I need robots. I need robots that can hunt. I need hunting robots to hunt them out no matter where they run and to launch missiles that will chase them. I need chasing, hunting missiles to hunt and chase them no matter where they run. I want robots to chase them becuase robots never get tired. I want inexhaustible solar powered flying robots to chase them across the desert where the sun never sets. I want the light from the weapons to make the sun seem insignificant. I want tireless robots in pursuit of brown people across the entire earth. I need your machine to defend me. I need you to kill thousands of brown people until I feel safe." - An Average American, 2010

    Your wish is granted.

    The idea of sending our military to Afghanistan to bring to justice the terrorists we enabled in the first place is a noble one. Well, maybe not noble, rational? Justifiable? Indeed, America needs to clean up after it's cold war mess, or better yet, how about we never fund a bunch of opium-crazed religious radicals ever again? Ok, fair enough. Then the Iraq war came, and while Sadam Husein certainly deserved to hang for his genocidal tendencies toward the Kurds, the Dujail Massacre of 82, etc. it should have been handled by the UN and certainly not by the US while it was already in a "war".

    And that's the thing. The war on terrorism, just like the war on drugs, or poverty isn't really a war. Terrorism, drug use and poverty fall under the idea category of nouns, meaning that even if we killed everybody and I mean EVERYBODY who is considered a terrorist from Al Qaeda's highest ranking officials to any Klansman that lights a cross the idea would still live on.
  • stimpack
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    stimpack polycounter lvl 10
    Im going out on a limb here, but im fairly confident this is what these helicopters were designed to do. I could be wrong on that one tho... if you build it, it will get used.
  • catstyle
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    let's be honest - they were fucking trigger happy. and that disgusted me a little.

    a righteous man would have waited for sound evidence they had weapons or were an actual threat. these guys just saw what they wanted... an excuse to pull the trigger
  • r13
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    r13 founder
    Ok boys, this thread has zero relevancy to polycount and i'm shutting it down.

    Poop/Ben: Enough trolling polycount. We get that you have strong feelings about a variety of topics as you've vented them all here for all to see. Each time it's devolved into trolling and arguments that are doing nothing but providing you with some sort of personal vindication and/or attention. As you've always been a somewhat self admitted narcissist, I'm leaning more to the later. Whatever the case, enough. You are no longer a helpful or positive member of our community. You've burned through whatever grace you might have had through your own actions as of lately. You can straighten up and play nice while here at polycount or not. I know you are smart enough to know the difference. If you decide to ignore this last request, I will personally ban you.
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