Replies

"The November 19th death of Lance Corporal Miguel Terrazas in Haditha, Iraq, led to a firefight that led to the deaths of more than 20 Iraqis -- including unarmed women and children.

Exactly what happened that day remains unclear. Terrazas' father, Martin Terraza of El Paso, says the Marines his son fought with gave him one account -- that after the car bomb exploded, the Marines took a defensive position around the wreckage of his son's vehicle. Insurgents immediately started shooting from nearby buildings, and the insurgents were using women and children as human shields. Terraza says the Marines told him they returned fire as they fought for their own survival."

http://www.kxan.com/Global/story.asp?S=4973913&nav=menu73_2_2

"the insurgents were using women and children as human shields. Terraza says the Marines told him they returned fire as they fought for their own survival."

Hence the hint of post-facto "payments" to the bereaved families. The deaths couldn't be helped. But, in true American style, compassion is fungible.