Haditha is now being described in the press the My Lai of Iraq. Once again, as was the case 30 years before, American citizens do not understand how valiant young Americans can act so brutally.
Consider the following, taken from the publication NRO and written by W. Thomas Smith, Jr. an experienced Marine:
Let’s consider a frequent and typical attack on a Marine or Army patrol as an example: When a Humvee is hit by a mine or an IED, the result is nothing like what one might see in a movie. It’s not simply a blast and people are dead. No chest-clutching John Wayne departures with inspirational music. There is no glory. No adventure. It’s just the worst sort of human drama imaginable.
The vehicle, if close enough to the blast, flips into the air, snapping necks and spinal cords. Heads and limbs are torn from bodies. Gasoline ignites and ammunition cooks off, burning any survivors to a crisp.
Those soldiers and Marines (many of whom are still teenagers) who witness the action are instantly shocked, physically sickened, grief-stricken, and enraged over the horror of having watched buddies—who have become closer than any sibling might ever hope to be—torn to pieces. Badly wounded buddies are screaming in agony. Yet the ones uninjured or with minor injuries have to respond as trained. They are dismounting from vehicles, simultaneously removing safeties from weapons and racing for cover or assaulting in the direction of the ambush where seen or unseen forces are shooting at them. The counterattack often requires the instant establishment of a base of fire by one group while an enveloping force prepares to overwhelm the enemy. Blood-pressure is peaking. Adrenaline is pumping.
Surviving officers and NCOs (most of whom are in their twenties) are even busier. They are reporting their position, calling for supporting fires (if needed) and medical assistance. They also are shouting commands, directing troops, and generally trying to maintain order in the midst of chaos, and attempting to simplify what has in an instant become extraordinarily complex.
(full article can be found here)
Faced with the horror of seeing their buddy, a young Marine, dead, with half of his face blown off (as described by his best friend who was ordered to "clean up" after the incident), it is not hard to imagine that grief, mixed with healthy doses of fear...and anger could quickly turn to rage. Many of our Soldiers and Marines have served multiple deployments into these conditions and some are returning before the trauma of previous deployment has been effectively diagnosed or treated - if such treatment is possible.
As the author points out, many of these Marines were young men, many with no other life experience beyond high school than the Military. And no matter how it is marketed, the mission of the Infantry in both the Marines and the Army is to destroy the enemy before they destroy you. Bringing "freedom and democracy" is a political objective - not a military objective. In Iraq and Afghanistan, unlike the wars against Japan and Germany, the enemy does not wear a uniform that distinguishes them from civilians.
Was murder committed against innocent civilians in Haditha - almost certainly so. Who is legally responsible? That is a matter for the courts and our system of justice. Who is morally responsible? That question is more easily answered: We all are.
As these issues go forward in the press and remain in the public eye, I think it is important that a full examination of the incident is undertaken by voters. Americans tend to scapegoat incidents that make us "look bad" and "feel uncomfortable" when our beliefs are challenged.
Neither the press or the government do the American public any favors by portraying war as a valiant and noble cause. It is not. War has real casualties - on both sides. There is no background music save the agonizing screams of survivors and the tears of families and friends of those who perish. The flags on Main Street are half a world away and the yellow "Support the Troops" magnets are not in evidence on the blown apart Humvee. There is no bugle blowing Taps on the battlefield as our soldiers die. Often their final companion is a terrified and shocked teenaged warrior that tries to provide comfort and hope as he watches the life drain from the eyes of his buddy. He may have never seen death before...and certainly not one so violent. And then he must get up and "do his job."
Could you?
Could the President? After all, he set the tone: "Bring em on!"
Listen to the Diane Rehm (WMAU.org) interview regarding the investigation here
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