In Iraq's Murky Battle, Snipers Offer U.S. a Precision Weapon

nytimes.com ^ | January 2, 2004 | ERIC SCHMITT

[Conservative_Nationalist]

The reason the Times ran the article is because they think it shows how cold and inhumane our soldiers are. They don't see it in a realistic perspective that would make most Americans proud. They see it as something disgusting and I am sure their are a lot of ignorant Liberals out there that use this stuff in their anti-American propaganda. But luckily most Americans know these things must happen and are proud of the people who do it.

[Maynerd]

It may be coincidence, but there is a lot of the same stuff in this story from the Army Times on December 23.

Good pick up. This is classic plagarism. Add a new sentence or two, delete a few of the original and tada your a genuine NYT's reporter. Did the NYT's rehire Jason Blair?

[Travis McGee]

You have to appreciate the surgeon's scalpel that these snipers represent. In a situation where every collateral damage death demands a revenge killing, you really do not want to fire heavy weapons if at all possible. The sniper who can shoot the armed bad guy in the middle of a city without harming the civilians around him is the perfect weapon.

[america-rules]

I also bet you 10-1 that they were also boy scouts !

Most people don't know the boy scouts were set up to prepare young boys for future combat in hard conditions in the woods and to make American Boys tougher!

Anyone who was ever was a boy scout knows a few days sleeping in the snow or rain isn't too bad as long as you know how to cope which you learn in the scouts !

The left's attack on the boy scouts is also an attack on the USA's future !

[Billthedrill]

Interesting nuances to this article. This is certainly an evolution in U.S. Army urban warfare doctrine as I understood it (disclaimer - I'm ex-Navy, not Army, and my own knowledge of this field is very limited). I wonder how much of this we cobbled from the Brits and how much from other sources...a ping for some fellers who might be able to enlighten me a little (and for anyone I left out my apologies).

Now for the guy who popped seven of 11 - that's some incredible marksmanship, no lie. Them farm boys can shoot.

[Squantos]

Target rich environment.......press does him no good to promote him in print. Makes his family a target for some pisslamic turdburgler IMO. But a sniper and properly trained spotter are one must have tool in MOUT terrain IMO.

Stay Safe Bill !

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Good point!

[neverdem]

Methinks you're being too cynical about the Times here. Defense is getting belated recognition from the rats and the "paper of record".

I believe both Schumer and Hillary voted to arm airplane pilots.

Not that I'm satisfied with these fools, but they do pay attention to polls and calls from constituents.

[river rat]

The writer of this article, mentions there are four weapons available to the shooters, but he only mentioned three in the article..M4, M14, M24...

He left out the Ace of Spades, the .50 BMG chambered rifle.
One recently returned shooter explained his preference for the .50, even when the range or target didn't dictate that cartridge - was that it "left a hell of a mess for his friends to clean up"...

Torso separations were not uncommon...

Semper Fi

[river rat]

"Would they ever shoot a child who aimed at them?

"I couldn't imagine that," said Specialist Wilson, a father of five.

But Sergeant Davis had a different view: "I'd shoot him, otherwise he'd shoot me. But I wouldn't feel good about it."

And, therein lies the foundation for decades of nightmares...and guilt.

The redeeming consolation, it that he will live to see his children grow up, and play with his grandchildren...

Semper Fi

[NewRomeTacitus]

And like the good Sergeant, the Barrett .50 is made in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
If the NY Times was attempting to portray these men as monsters they forgot to delete the part about the cowardly way the fanatics tried to use a group of schoolchildren for cover. Clean shots like these men dispense are far too humane for such vermin.

Bill the Drill, try to find "Sniper: The World of Combat Sniping" by Adrian Gilbert. Excellent historical overview.

[Travis McGee]

The Army might look into some "temporary active duty" for certain veterans. Some could bring their own iron. "Have gun, will travel."

"Achmed, meet Mr. Barrett."

[Mark17]

His work saves the lives of his buddies!

Yes it does. I hope he has much more success.

[LA Conservative]

Does anybody know of a website that has more of these type of stories?
TKA

[Squantos]

Contractors are already in country.....cowboys everywhere according to some reports........:o)

Stay safe !

[RedlegCPT]

7 of 11 is not what they strive for 11 of 11 is.

[Ruth A.]

Sergeant Davis, 25, who is from Murfreesboro, Tenn

Here's to Sgt. Davis and others who carry on the traditions of the long rifle shooters. Not bad, when you can stand with John Sevier, Davy Crocket and Sgt. York.

[Conservative_Nationalist]

"7 of 11 is not what they strive for 11 of 11 is."

I think they were saying that Davis killed 7 of the 11 killed in that battle. The other 4 were killed by other soldiers.

[agitator]

ping

[American in Israel]

In a situation where every collateral damage death demands a revenge killing...

Revenge killing will take place, deaths or not. If you do not kill a soldier he will kill you, if you kill him another will cry revenge. If you withdraw, they cry Jihad and Kill your family. If they have no reason, they will invent one, just like a gang-banger yelling you are "dissin" him.

They are the same criminal mentality...