Murder, Incorporated
And the battle's just begun
There's many lost, but tell me who has won?
The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters
Torn apart!
--Sunday, Bloody Sunday, U2
There's many lost, but tell me who has won?
The trench is dug within our hearts
And mothers, children, brothers, sisters
Torn apart!
--Sunday, Bloody Sunday, U2
When asked by the AP if U.S. operations against Shiite Militias would consist of targeted raids or broader military engagements, U.S. Major General William Caldwell is quoted as saying "It'll be a combination of targeted killings and more traditional large-force operations."
What democratic principle is embodied by the phrase "targeted killing"? Targeted killings seem a great way to stop the killing (thank you, Joseph Heller), but you don't win hearts and minds when people are left wondering if they're a target of this killing machine. If targeted killings are the objective, then it is safe to say our soldiers are made into contractual killers. Targeted hits are best left to the Mafia.
Soldiers are not judges, juries, nor executioners. MG Caldwell cannot administer Western justice in such a cavalier manner. Execution is not a soldierly function. Taxpayers need to call a halt to this criminal behavior.
Further, Caldwell said, "traditional large-force operations" will be used in sweeping up Baghdad. So much for the vaunted counterinsurgency qualities Lieutenant General Patraeus promised to bring to the job. Sounds like the same old soft shoe, with murder thrown into the mix.
posted by rangeragainstwar at 3:55 PM
7 Comments:
Jim -- I believe that the term "targeted killings" was invented by the Israelis to replace the word assinations. I believe they also invented the term "moderate pressure interrogation" to describe torture. GSJ
Thank you for giving the origin of the terms.
However,in Israel's case, they are dealing with folks who've aggressed upon them, whereas we're meting out the same treatment to folks whom we've aggressed upon.
Well,...let's not forget that the nation of Israel is the product of interlocking deceptions, intriques, and selective premeditated terrorism which ultimately resulted in the removal of untold tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians from their homes and lands. In short, the Palestinians are a displaced people because of Israeli aggression. That said, I have absolutely NO sympathy for Palestinian suicide bombings which deserve to be, and should be, universally condemned!! I have often wondered what world opinion would be on the Israel-Palestinian issue, if the Palestinians had adopted the non-violent methods of Ghandi. My guess is that world opinion would be overwhelmingly in their favor and against the Israelis. GSJ
The nation of Israel is the "product" of a U.N. mandate. The Palastinians were offered a chair at the table and the land could have been divided equibly at that time. They refused, as they would not recognize Isreal's right to exist, as they still do not recognize that right.
World population does favor the Palatinian cause, despite or b/c of their terroristic efforts. If they'd taken Ghandi's approach, they'd be rolling in clover.
If you look at Isreal in the 1950's and 60's, there was peacable commerce in all relations between Palastinians and Israelis. It is only with the Intifadas that we have grown accustomed to daily bloodshed. This is not what life used to be like, and it is a great tragedy for all.
The only non-Jewish Westerners solidly in Isreal's corner are the millenialist Christians, who need it for prophetic sake.
We've got no right to speak--we din't actually welcome the Native Americans back, did we?
Actually, we shouldn't forget that Israel hasn't been the only enemy of the Palestinians. Other Arab states have unfailingly turned their backs on them. They are fine for propaganda purposes, but not for living amongst the Saudis, et al. It's been said that it's because the Palestinians are actually very bright and able folk unlikely to put up with the Arabist/Islamist horse manure peddled in Arab states.
We also shouldn't forget that Palestinians and Mideastern Jews are genetically identical.
It's my sense that Americans should revisit their unswerving support of Israel and the willingness to forgive any action taken by Israel. Yeah, we all know the history and we all want Israel to survive, but the fact is they often act like a spoiled superpower that can never compromise and always has to have everything its own way. Wonder where they got their role model? Israeli intransigence has contributed immensely to the issues with which we are grappling in the Mideast. We are their friends. They are not ours.
And, yeah, a "targeted killing" is an assassination. The pertinent question is that if traditional military forces—vice intel or spec ops forces, who might be expected to do the deed up close and personal—do "targeted killings" via cruise missile or "surgical bombing" strikes and collateral damage results, which it likely will, is that a plus or a minus for the overall effort?
Publius
I believe I've pointed out Black September was an organization that grew out of the slaughter of Palstinians by Jordanians. Somehow, over the years, people seem to think this was the result of Israeli action. I am aware of this historic interplay.
I agree that we are the model for spoiled supepowers. And I would question that the U.S. has nothing to gain from the U.S./Israeli alliance.
Have to admit my ignorance of the UN mandate and your other points are well-taken as well. Thanks. GSJ
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