Posted on 05/24/2006 7:52:07 AM PDT by Coop
...[b]ut eyewitnesses and local officials told Time that the 15 civilians were killed as a result of a rampage by Marines - not by a roadside bomb.
Eyewitnesses and local officials claim the Marines raided three civilian houses after the blast, shooting innocent women and children, some still in their night clothes, others shielding children with their bodies.
The potentially criminal nature of the incident went unreported until Time magazine presented military officials in Baghdad with accounts it gathered from Iraqis in January.
The military began its investigation in March.
According to the military, the Marines thought they were under fire by inhabitants of the three houses. The series of Marine raids lasted for five hours and left 23 people dead, the military told Time. The 15 people killed in the first two house raids were classified as civilians by the military.
According to The New York Times, the number of civilians killed could be more than 15.
The Times reported that the Marines might have come under fire from insurgents but not from the houses they raided.
The official military investigation should be completed by June, according to United Press International.
Rep. John Murtha, a Democrat from Pennsylvania... said the Haditha incident is just another reason for American troops to come home.
"And now I understand the investigation shows that in fact there was no fire fight, there was no explosion that killed the civilians in a bus," Murtha said, referring to the Haditha raid.
"It shows the tremendous pressure that these guys are under every day when they're out in combat."
(Excerpt) Read more at recordonline.com ...
Murtha's opponent - Diana Irey
And we now know there were terrorists in the area, likely firing on the Marines.
Atrocities have happened since we've had wars.
Rep. John Murtha, a Democrat from Pennsylvania... said the Haditha incident is just another reason for American troops to come home.
Throwing the US Marines under the bus just to score political points. I guess the Time magazine “investigation” is all the proof this dirtbag needs.
Vile puke.
Do you believe a NYslimes investigation? Murtha says "the investigation reveals yada yada yada" yet...IT IS NOT COMPLETE. How can he know what the hell he is talking about?
This is another driveby media story blown out of proportion by a desperate left. I would NEVER EVER believe a story from any reporter connected to the SLIMES.
A couple of the keywords are pretty despicable. I'm giving the Marines the full benefit of the doubt for now.
Terrorists routinely use women and children as human shields. A 5 hour battle indicates to me that there was plenty of time to identify the targets and this is an attempt to manufacture some anti war controversey by Murtha. We know where he stands and what his goals are.
Did you even read the article, or my comments?
The crazy part is that we should pull out of any combat that puts our troops under "pressure", because obviously ALL wars place troops under this intense pressure and that can't be the decision making calculus for a withdrawal.
I'm giving the Marines (I was one) the benefit of the doubt. I put the key words in. The ones you likely find despicable (traitor, cold blood) are about Murtha (former) and used by Murtha (latter). I make no apologies.
Thanks for your service to our country.
Murtha wasn't there. And I've heard nothing credible whatsoever to substantiate his vile accusations.
Murder. I did that one, too. Also used publicly by Murtha.
I find it a little unlikely that U.S. Marines took that long against a few housefuls of civilians.
I apologize, then. I thought it was a drive-by poster.
It was indeed an honor.
Then again, I didn't have to put up with the Jack Murtha's or John Kerry's of the world. I don't know how the Vietnam vets or our contemporary GWOT heroes put up with this garbage.
And that's being kind when speaking of Murtha......
Is this a new deadly rampage or an old deadly rampage?
Thank you, but not necessary. It was better for me to explain my choice of key words.
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