"I think I'm going to be sick"

[Rocky]

The headline sums it up, and since the event came up to me again a few days ago; after nearly four years,  I have felt sick to my stomach since.  I really don't want this to turn into a political thread, and will request that it be dropped the second that it does.  I'd just be happy if everyone viewed the article objectively as possible and let it slip quietly into the annals of the forum.  Please just say a silent little prayer for everyone involved.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2006914,00.html

Please remember that this is intensely personal to me and act accordingly.

     Regards,
                 Rocky

[skip68]

   Man, these things happen.

[Shakey]

  Man, these things happen.

Was that part of the official apology to the fallen soldiers family, if there was an apology at all?   

Was this the same friendly fire situation that killed four Canadian soldiers a few years back, or was that a different one?

[6pkrunner]

It's war, and in war bad things happen. The thing that amazes me the most is that the more technologically advanced we become, the more often and worse the friendly fire incidents are. Or is it that now the media have access to everything and what may have been missed in the past is now routinely logged?

Its so easy to be analyists from the safety of our homes so far from the guys that are actually fighting. It has to change your reactions and outlook when you are in harm's way.

[Shakey]

I agree, and have understood since I was old enough to comprehend what the word war means, bad things do happen during a time of war.   

I think what makes me want to be sick, are the way the Military, Government and most of all the media (on both sides) handle these bad things that happen during a time of war.   

I can sympathize with all involved in a situation such as this.  The personnel that fired on friendly troops but more importantly, the families of the soldiers killed by friendly fire.   

[chargerboy69]

  Man, these things happen.

Yes they do. . I remember when ex- Arizona Cardinals player Pat Tillman was killed by friendly fire as well. I feel badly for the two US troops that did this, the victims, and their families.

[HITMAN 149]

lets keep everyone in our prayers!!!!! i'm sure those pilots are the one's most sick!!!!

[Charger_Fan]

I think what makes me want to be sick, are the way the Military, Government and most of all the media (on both sides) handle these bad things that happen during a time of war.   

Same here.


I'm surprised this sort of thing doesn't happen more often...I mean from the air, flying at 150 mph, it would be hard to tell friend from foe. It's not like the enemy is all painted yellow & the friendlies are all painted dayglo green.
From the air, it would be tough to make out the difference.

That situation sucks all the way around. 

[hemihead]

I feel bad for all involved mke no mistake about it but friendly fire accidents have been happening a very long time, this is nothing new.Why is it that the media can find all the bad things  happening in Iraq but never the good ones? Is the old hippies that in control of the media?

[dkn1997]

go home and hug your wife/kids/family tonight and thank god that your not dead, or that you don't have to live with the guilt of a horrible accident like this.

[TeeWJay426]

It's war, and in war bad things happen. The thing that amazes me the most is that the more technologically advanced we become, the more often and worse the friendly fire incidents are. Or is it that now the media have access to everything and what may have been missed in the past is now routinely logged?

That's exactly it. The media is right there and puts whatever slant they care to on the story. I found it interesting to hear that during WWII, there wasn't even a single picture of a dead US serviceman released until 1944..... the War Department (precursor to the DoD) censored and approved for release EVERY SINGLE NEWS REPORT on the war.... without their say-so, it wouldn't see the light of day. Now we have journalists side by side with the soldiers reporting every detail almost instantaneously with their slanted view point. Friendly fire incidents aren't anything new- they just happen to be much better publicized now.

Rant off on the media.... either way, this situation sucks for everyone involved. Can't help but feel sympathetic for the deceased, his family, and the guys that mistakenly pulled the trigger.... not to mention the ones that gave them the green light to do so.

[Arthu®]

Ok so sensorship would be better? Come on guys what happend to freedom?

As for the accident because that is what it was an accidant. I feel sorry for all the people that were affected by it, both the ones shot at and the ones that shot. I can't imagine the guilt they are feeling right now.

Arthur

[Charger_Fan]

Ok so sensorship would be better? Come on guys what happend to freedom?

Sensorship during a time of war is better, yes.
Too much of a good thing isn't always good...today's media currently has waaay to much of a good thing.

[Arthu®]

Sensorship during a time of war is better, yes.
Too much of a good thing isn't always good...today's media currently has waaay to much of a good thing.

Ok but when a government goes to war it does that in the good of the country and the country = the people. The people eventually have a say in wether they think the war should continue or not, by the way they are going to vote in the next election. So don't you think that the people should know the truth of what is going on. I am talking about objective journalism here, something that in my opinion is hard to find anymore here in Europe but especially in the US.

I am not talking about media only giving one side of the story, the stories should just contain facts, all the facts and all the angles otherwise you will get a twisted view on the situation.

I do believe that since the government is acting on behalf of the people they should be open about the actions taken and the concequences it has. If the government doesn't like the slanted view the media is presenting now they should come up with something better. I don't know about the US but overhere we have a news station that gets a certain amount of money from the government each year which bound by law. The government has to, it was created to insure objective journalism. This news station has no reasons to give a slanted view on what type of news whatsoever.

Ok I am not getting into a political pissing contest, I just believe in the freedom of press and that if there are journalist there they should be able to tell their story. If they are not credible sources according to the government they would have to do something about that by establishing a more credible source which would have no reasons to give a slanted view. Than the people have an option as to what to believe...

Arthur

[RD]

Ok so sensorship would be better? Come on guys what happend to freedom?

Sensorship during a time of war is better, yes.
Too much of a good thing isn't always good...today's media currently has waaay to much of a good thing.

i would rather have them having way too much of a good thing, than to know nothing at all.  even if what they are telling me is BS, I can choose to pay heed to it and filter it or not.

[mikepmcs]

That is why I only(but i rarely tune in to the news) watch FOX.  They are the only ones who semi try to report objectively.  You don't find many military guys around here watching CNN.

IMHO, I believe only military journalists should be allowed and for historical purposes only.  War is ugly no matter what, that's for sure!  But unfortunately it is a part of our lives and will sadly most likely always be. 

v/r
Mike

[Charger_Fan]

Mainly what I meant by the "too much of a good thing" comment was geared toward the embedded journalists with a free rein to report everything they see. The enemy can set a few IED's, then go back to their hole in the ground, turn on CNN, grab a cold glass of camel milk & watch to see who they blew up. That's friggin' rediculous.

I agree with Mike, they should be there for historical purposes only.
If the media was controlled like it had been in every war prior to Viet Nam, chances are the general public would not have the feeling that this war is going so badly. WWII had it's share of ups & downs too, and if the public was fed instant info like they are now, there's a real good chance the outcome would have been much different...in a bad way.

However, I think the leaders of our country (& others) back then had a lot more spine than they do today.

[6pkrunner]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the freedom of the presses and not hidinig anything from the masses, but media like everything these days is a business and the owners can slant it for any agenda they choose. An owner or shareholders can bias a point of view, edit or take out of context for either impact or public opinion manipulation, etc.
This is nort a rant on the media but I feel its very easy for someone to put their point of view or spin on topics. Fox seems to be the target of choice for most to point out.
From the story above I have heard it presented on three channels and the entire tape recording was not aired on any of the channels and what was edited from each channel was different. And not just the profanity.
So yes I'm a believer in showing things as they actually unfold, but usually that doesn't garner enough ratings and hence market share.

[Arthu®]

Absolutely nothing wrong with the freedom of the presses and not hidinig anything from the masses, but media like everything these days is a business and the owners can slant it for any agenda they choose. An owner or shareholders can bias a point of view, edit or take out of context for either impact or public opinion manipulation, etc.
This is nort a rant on the media but I feel its very easy for someone to put their point of view or spin on topics. Fox seems to be the target of choice for most to point out.
From the story above I have heard it presented on three channels and the entire tape recording was not aired on any of the channels and what was edited from each channel was different. And not just the profanity.
So yes I'm a believer in showing things as they actually unfold, but usually that doesn't garner enough ratings and hence market share.

I can concur on that, but showing nothing wouldn't be good either. Like I said before the news shouldn't be an commercial institution... Oh well let's end this discussion and be reasonable that a couple of gearheads on a car forum are not going to solve any of the major problems we face on this earth.

Arthur