Posted on 07/16/2003 12:21:14 PM PDT by Brooklyn_Park_MD
Stop right there.
Yes, it is certainly true that the American flag could have been an Arab ruse de guerre.
Yes, it is certainly true that the whole episode could have been due to the fog of war.
However, the above statement that you made is an engraved invitation to "friendly fire" tragedies.
You asked in another post why we do not discuss the American bombing of Canadian troops in Afghanistan. On this thread, Gunrunner2 and I beat each other to a bloody pulp over that incident with my position being that the American aircraft in that incident excersised piss-poor fire discipline and violated their rules of engagement leading to that tragedy. I argued that the American aircraft were in no danger and yet, eager for a "kill", rushed in to attack.
Canadian Allies died.
In Gulf War One, the commander of an Apache squadron was court-martialed by the U.S. Army for "friendly fire" deaths. Although squadron commanders were ordered not to fly, the "hot shot" wanted a combat mission and a kill. The combat video and audio tape at the court-martial documented a long discussion about whether or not a particular armored vehicle seen on infra-red on the ground was American or Iraqi. This discussion occurred in the middle of the night when there was no battle. The armored vehicle was just sitting there in the middle of night in the middle of the desert. After discussing it, back and forth, Colonel Testosterone decide that the vehicle was probably Iraqi and fired his missiles.
An American Bradley was destroyed and American soldiers died. Colonel Testosterone was court-martialed and convicted.
If an American flag was seen on the USS Liberty, the question becomes:
"Is this potentially Arab rust-bucket of a ship going to be a military threat to any Israeli force within the next 10 minutes?"
If the answer is, "No", then common sense fire discipline requires that the attacking aircraft call back to HQ and tell them that an American flag has been seen and respectfully request that HQ contact their American friends before blasting the potentially Arab rust-bucket to Kingdom Come.
I am not arguing whether or not Israel deliberately attacked an American vessel or not.
However, I, as a U.S. Naval Officer, hold my own American forces accountable when they violate fire discipline.
I expect the same from the Israeli camp.
"The Egyptians would never raise an American flag on an invasion run, it would not be sporting, and you can bet your life on it... Right?" ......
That does no cut it........
Not when you are betting American lives or Canadian lives or Israeli lives or the lives of any other Ally.
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