Posted on 11/15/2004 3:56:58 PM PST by Kaslin
LONDON (Reuters) - A television pool report by U.S. network NBC said on Monday that a U.S. Marine had shot dead an unarmed and wounded Iraqi prisoner in a mosque in Falluja.
The Iraqi was one of five wounded prisoners left in the mosque after Marines had fought their way in on Friday and Saturday. There was no immediate comment from the Pentagon (news - web sites) on the report.
U.S. forces launched an offensive one week ago on Falluja, and have gained overall control of the formerly rebel-held city, although scattered resistance remains.
The pool report by NBC correspondent Kevin Sites said the mosque had been used by insurgents to attack U.S. forces, who stormed it and an adjacent building, killing 10 militants and wounding the five.
Sites said the wounded had been left in the mosque for others to pick up and move to the rear for treatment. No reason was given why that had not happened.
A second group of Marines entered the mosque on Saturday after reports it had been reoccupied. Footage from the embedded television crew showed the five still in the mosque, although several appeared to be already close to death, Sites said.
He said one Marine noticed one of the prisoners was still breathing.
A Marine can be heard saying on the pool footage provided to Reuters Television: "He's fucking faking he's dead. He faking he's fucking dead."
"The Marine then raises his rifle and fires into the man's head. The pictures are too graphic for us to broadcast," Sites said. No images of the shooting were shown in the footage provided to Reuters.
The report said the Marine, who had returned to duty after being shot in the face a day earlier, had been removed from the field and was being questioned by the U.S. military.
Sites said the shot prisoner "did not appear to be armed or threatening in any way."
well put sir!
Just a thought, how comfortable do you think Kevin Sites is today?
If he's still embedded with the Marines, he couldn't be their favorite person.
FoxNews reporting this morning that the Marine has been relieved of duty for the present time. Arab news having a field day with the story Fox reports. With Ollie North Fox&Friends crew are discussing that the NBC correspondent should have turned the tape over to the military and not run with the story. No mention of the correspondent having been in the mosque earlier, withholding info on that from the troops etc. (No surprise with that) Also saying the tape prejudices opinion against the Marine who will face investigation and possible prosecution because we don't condone killing of injured combatants.
It sucks that we have ROE and the enemy doesn't. We are held to near-impossible standards and the enemy isn't. And the media embeds issue is a mixed bag at best. This NBC reporter has actions to answer for as well, but likely won't ever be made to. There SHOULD be protocol that the embeds are required to follow. This guy should lose his embed role at minimum.
Some posters on this thread say they don't believe any investigation should occur. Nor prosecution either, evn if it's shown to be indicated. As much as I feel for this young Marine, the circumstances etc. I also know the issue must be looked at and dealt with. For this Marines sake as much as the rest of our guys, and the mission.
Prairie
Traitor NBC photographer email addresses:
kevinsites@hotmail.com
kevin@kevinsites.net
http://www.kevinsites.net/
Clarification: the NBC correspondent apparently turned the tape over to Reuters. Very poor move.
So ?
Actually it's NBC who should feel the heat about their employee's actions as well.
I hope part of the investigation includes an investigation of the reporter. I was glad Ollie pointed out that the imbed SHOULD have turned the video over to the military, if he thought there was a crime committed, and that it should not have been turned over to the press. I wonder if that is a rule the imbeds are supposed to follow - if not, it should be.
I know it has to be investigated - the problem is, the press has already convicted the young marine and the Arab press will go wild with this. And what is so maddening is that the imbed KNEW this would happen. I am so sick of our press aiding and abetting our enemies.
I agree with this statement. I also don't think it's a big deal if he killed the wounded guy or not. I understand that some of them have faked being dead and had bombs strapped to them and things of that nature. But kill the reporter?
These embedded reporters were invited to come along. Regardless of whether or not you agree with/approve of the reporting, you don't kill the reporter. What if the local police department doesn't like the coverage from the local newspaper? Do they kill the reporter? That's simply insane. Our soldiers fight to defend this country and what it stands for. One of the things it stands for is freedom of the press. I think you can find that somewhere in the Bill of Rights. Look under the first one and let me know if it's not there.
If you want to kill the reporter, you might be happier in a country where the government takes a more active role in controlling the media. I think there are many Muslim dictatorships that do that.
I'm not saying he has to be made comfortable. But kill him? I'd say the bloodlust among some people is getting a little thick. If we're going to kill the reporter where do we stop? Certainly this reporter has done no more than some of our senators and congressmen. I would agree that many of them should be voted out of office (and at least one former presidential candidate should be brought up on charges), but do we kill them because they've encouraged our enemies with their rhetoric? Or the war protesters, I've yet to meet one I could stomach, but do we kill them?
Please don't tell me you're defending the notion that this Marine should have killed the reporter.
Ever been in combat? Ever been shot at? Are you volunteering to go to Falluja and check the wounded AIF for explosives?
Investigate, but if there's any doubt I'll give the benefit of that doubt to the Marine.
What is it about war these liberal terrorist enablers do not understand?
Here it is in toto; kill the sons-of-bitches dead at every opportunity and take no prisoners that are not useful.
This enemy understands this and expects any serious foe to shoot first and if they don't they will shoot you or cut your head off!
Get real America and refuse to receive from the main stream liberal left wing media criticism of our troops who stand between us and oour enemies who will slaughter us by the millions if we don't slaughter them first!
Stop this snottin', slobbering, pissing and moaning for the plight of the enemy, you are in effect giving aid and comfort to the heathen bastards who will take your criticism of our troops as sympathy for their cause and will cost more American lives.
Our enemies are not worth a pinch of dirt when compared to one more American trooper's life.
I say, kill them all any way we can and let God sort them out!
The age of chivalry is dead, in war it's kill or be killed, get over it you whining blubber-butts, you make us and our American service men and women sick to our stomachs.
Please spare us the thread worn and tired cliche, that spews, we are Americans and we are different.
That's B.S. we fight to win and not to please our critics who hate America and all that she stands for!
So what? Sounds like he, the marine, was taking no chances...and why should he? This is WAR!
.
The guy was injured and ran away. I dont remember if the enemy had dropped his weapon or not. I think he did.
The guy on the floor was stirring as if to make a sneak attack. Same situation. You dont know so you take action or die.
Hmmmmmmm, support the MSM, or the Marines. Let me think. < /sarcasm>
Hopefully, it was clear to everyone that I was being sarcastic.
FoxNews reporting this morning that the Marine has been relieved of duty for the present time.
That is standard operating procedure.
Arab news having a field day with the story Fox reports.
That is also standard operating procedure for America's enemies and the American Liberal news media.
Also saying the tape prejudices opinion against the Marine who will face investigation and possible prosecution because we don't condone killing of injured combatants.
Actually, the individuals that may not be killed are those who have surrendered, are under physical control and pose no threat. The "injury" status is irrelevant as wounded soldiers (think Audie Murphy on top of that burning tank) are very capable of fighting.
It sucks that we have ROE and the enemy doesn't. We are held to near-impossible standards and the enemy isn't.
Actually, the standards are quite reasonable and, in my opinion, this Marine met those standards.
As I documented in my Post 574, this was not a case of a Marine shooting a known prisoner under control who was lnow to pose no threat. This was a case of a Marine shooting an unknown man who was not known to be under physical control and who was acting in a manner that highly suggested that he was about to stage a suicide fake bombing of the kind that has already killed many American troops.
It is analogous to running over a 5 year old child who runs into traffic right in front of you while you are driving the speed limit.
Bad stuff happens.
Some posters on this thread say they don't believe any investigation should occur. Nor prosecution either, evn if it's shown to be indicated.
That is not the way the UCMJ works. An investigation is required and, I believe, will clear this Marine.
Why has Saddam not been to trial/execution. Him staying alive lends hope to the insurgents.
The double standards of justice are insufferable.
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