Monday May 28, 2012

JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION

U.S. troops accused of storming through Afghan hospital

World Sep. 07, 2009 - 03:10PM JST ( 12 )

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12 Comments

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timorborderSep. 07, 2009 - 04:29PM JST

Seriously, the US military becomes its own worst enemy in situations like this. Cases such as this, blue on blues (friendly fire incidents - I nearly experienced one myself many years ago when operating with the US armed forces), high civilian death counts, etc., all take a major toll on the image of the US and other armed forces in Afghanistan. These are forces who are trying to do the right thing, but such actions really F things up.

Indeed, as a former infantry officer (among other things) who has seen active service, it pains me when I read about such fxcked up operations. If this story is true, what were the people in charge thinking in tying up non-combatant medical staff? I seriously hope that this incident (among others) is thoroughly investigated and those people responsible get the chop. Moreover, I am not just talking about at a squad level. Somebody issued orders for these soldiers to follow. If it comes to light that unacceptable behavior resulted, that person should also bear the responsibility. Then again, even if orders were not issued, such behavior shows a fundamental lack of leadership at the field level. It may be a case of damned if you do, damned if you don't, but if these allegations are true, some commissioned officers should be made to do the high jump.
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Loki520Sep. 07, 2009 - 06:35PM JST

What a surprise. Was this before, or after, the accusations he made against the US and Israel while he was with the UN in Palinstine? I can only assume it was after all the accusations he made against anybody in the 1980's...

Anders Fange is a professional Anti-American. Take what he says with a grain of salt until PROVEN differently. He's known to stretch the truth and contort the facts to try and make a point.

However, It would not surprise me to find that this may have occurred SOMEWHAT like he says it did. But, I'd wager Timor's frank-n-beans that if it did, Fange had a huge part in causing it with his attitude, actions and words when the military showed up.
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Loki520Sep. 07, 2009 - 06:36PM JST

And yes... I know it's AFTER... Just showing that he has a history of making accusations that turn out to be false.
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SuperLibSep. 07, 2009 - 07:53PM JST

4 people tied up? Honestly, who cares.
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yabitsSep. 07, 2009 - 08:12PM JST

As an ex-serviceman, I would like to know what military manual or code approves of conducting operations this way.

I agree with timorborder: this needs to be thoroughly investigated and, to the extent that those responsible were acting with unprofessionalism crossing over into criminality, heads should roll.
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smithinjapanSep. 07, 2009 - 10:30PM JST

SuperLib: "4 people tied up? Honestly, who cares."

Seems quite a few people care, even though you don't (or at least made an effort to post that you don't, as you have been doing quite a bit of late). More to the point, people who have actually served seem to care the most and want to know more about current rules of conduct and what happened in detail, instead of armchair warriors simply trying to say it doesn't matter. What's more, you SHOULD care, for it's this kind of activity conducted by US troops, and this kind of attitude by their supporters, that have landed them in a lot of trouble and a complete lack of sympathy, trust, and positive opinion.

I'd like to see a little more substantiation, personally. Even though Loki contradicts himself a few times in 'not trusting what the man says, even though it may have happened that way', I want more details. If these troops did as was reported, well, it needs to be dealt with and people need to move on. It'll probably get swept under the rug, though.
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SuperLibSep. 07, 2009 - 11:20PM JST

Sure, in a country where school girls get their heads cut off and terrorist bombs rip through markets and 40 civilians die next to a tanker, I'll add 4 people being tied up to the list of things I care about in Afghanistan. But I probably won't lose any sleep over it.
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JbizzleSep. 08, 2009 - 04:53AM JST

Welcome to "war" where stuff like this happens all the time. Seriously, noone was hurt or killed so who cares?
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rajakumarSep. 08, 2009 - 05:20AM JST

No casualties here in this incident,good news.
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bushloverSep. 08, 2009 - 05:37AM JST

I hope it gets swept under the carpet. After all complaining about something so trivial seems rather redundant. How about complaining about how the Taliban treats anyone not in their group of murderers?
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Loki520Sep. 11, 2009 - 08:52PM JST

No contradiction's there in my statement.

It COULD have happened that way. But, I DO NOT trust the man who's screaming about it.

I'd give it about a 5% chance that it actually did happen that way.