Ex-U.S. Marine: I Killed Civilians in Iraq

[c| Dr. NO]

Ex-Marine Staff Sergeant Jimmy Massey talks about his time in Iraq where he admitted the U.S. treatment of Iraqi civilians is fueling the Iraqi resistance. In a recent interview he said "I felt like we were committing genocide in Iraq."

Streams, autio, and Transcript - http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/24/148212

[alaric]

Tragic. Very Tragic. But I doubt I would have acted differently than those marines he talks about. In fact, I know I would have done the exact same things they did. I would have felt horrible about it afterwards, but I would have done it just the same.

And despite what this guy says, nothing the marines did violated the geneva convention or the rules of engagement, as far as I can tell anyway. It's tragic, but, that's war. Shitty things happen.

But at the same time, I can totally understand what the Iraqi people are feeling right now. I don't know if I would be taking up arms against the US, I guess I have the good sense to let someone help me if they want to, but I can at least understand what they're feeling.

So we're back to it being just a huge tragedy. Each side is just doing what they have to do to survive. War is like that. First goal is survival, of both you and your buddies. Second goal is living with what you did to achieve that survival.

[BFG]

violated the geneva convention or the rules of engagement

This is a touch of topic... but regarding the geneva convention i believe both the US and British broke the Geneva convention when we showed POWS.

So we're back to it being just a huge tragedy. Each side is just doing what they have to do to survive. War is like that. First goal is survival, of both you and your buddies. Second goal is living with what you did to achieve that survival.

And that, and for that reason, is why we should be doing everything possible to avert war.

[seth]

yeah shit happen during war, and thats why  it should be avoided everytime it is possible to do so. Dont go to war coz a couple of morons says so.

[BFG]

Hopfully two of the biggest morons in goverments will be out soon. Blair won't make it through the next election and i sure hope bush dosnt.... Heres to a more peacefull future

[seth]

BFG did you hear about Tommy Franks being knighted by the UK ministry of Defence.

here's the link (its CNN, sry about that ...)

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/25/iraq.franks.knighthood/index.html

actually i have nothing against TF, i just think it's really bad timing...

[BFG]

Oh God. the bloody defence minister Geff Hoon has a lot to answer for.
This isn't the MoD giving the award its the bloody politicians... Christ.

I doubt the British command is exactly inpressed with this. There have been some scathing remarks about the US 'heavy handed' approch in iraq ... i don't think they exactly love Franks...

["Sixhits"]

BFG did you hear about Tommy Franks being knighted by the UK ministry of Defence.

here's the link (its CNN, sry about that ...)

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/05/25/iraq.franks.knighthood/index.html

actually i have nothing against TF, i just think it's really bad timing...

Of course, Tommy Franks is no fan of the Bush Admin. He's quoted as calling Douglas Feith, wingnut a la carte;

"I have to deal with the fucking stupidest guy on the face of the earth almost every day."

Page 281: of Bob Woodward's book PLAN OF ATTACK.

[BFG]

Yeah, Franks did appear a lot more human than others... and the presense of more than a couple of brain cells helps!

Its a bit weird giving him that honor though... he can't actually use it as he isn't a british citizen - otherwise he would now be Sir.Tommy Franks heh.

... but like u said bobby, very bad timing!