Posted on 06/10/2006 5:07:19 AM PDT by tlb
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- An Iraqi man who was one of the first people on the scene of the U.S. airstrike targeting Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said he saw American troops beating a man who had a beard like the al-Qaida leader.
The witness, who lives near the house where al-Zarqawi spent his last days, said he saw the man lying on the ground near an irrigation canal. He was badly wounded but still alive, the man told Associated Press Television News.
U.S. troops arriving on the scene wrapped the man's head in an Arab robe and began beating him, said the local man, who refused to give his name or show his face to the camera. His account could not be independently verified.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
The article said -- "U.S. troops arriving on the scene wrapped the man's head in an Arab robe and began beating him, said the local man, who refused to give his name or show his face to the camera. His account could not be independently verified."
I'm afraid that this kind of sentiment is not going to get very much sympathy, given the video on the Internet of Berg being beheaded by Zarqawi.
That sort of thing may not be the norm for how people should be handled -- but -- a lot of people in this country are simply going to "look the other way" when it comes to Zarqawi. You're not going to get too much of a "rise" out of that, one way or another.
AND, I think that most people can understand that this smacks more of "propaganda" than "truth" -- especially since he "refused to give his name or show his face to the camera." Sounds more like an "opportunist plant" more than anything else. It's the sort of thing that a "sympathizer" would say than someone relating the truth.
It's not going to get traction one way or the other.
Regards,
Star Traveler
I don't understand this, help exlain it to me...Some US Troopers find the leader of the terrorists forces who is directly responsable for the deaths of their comrades and the start whoppin' on his sodomized ass and you don't believe it?
It's sounds perfectly logical to me and I don't honestly see anything wrong with it either. What surprises me is that is seems to bother you people. Were I the commander at the place, I would of had him dragged behind a humvee back to the nearest field hospital. Hellooooooooooo? There's a war going on here, people.
As for the MSM, the local field commanders should find out who is shilling these stories, and when embedded with their unit, put them on point. End of Story.
You said -- "This is nothing new, Iraqis have tried this stuff before saying that women and children were killed in coalition strikes and when investigated it wasn´t true."
I was reading something before, about their culture over there -- which seems to be to *exaggerate* everything and push it way out of bounds -- way beyond the truth.
The article I was reading (can't remember where) -- if they say there was a riot with 500 people there, it was most likely 5 people making a lot of noise.
If they say there were troops there who shoot 100 innocent civilians, it was probably 2 innocent civilians who got caught in a cross-fire or some unavoidable collateral damage.
If they say they saw Osama bin Ladin there, the day before, and he's in that neighbor's house now..., the guy is probably mad at his neighbor.
In other words, their culture seems more inclined to saying whatever benefits a viewpoint or a mood that they are in -- rather than a *statement of truth*.
Actually, I know a few people like that over here, too...
Regards,
Star Traveler
To: editorials@newsday.com, letters@newsday.com, oped@newsday.com
Subject: Iraqi Claims U.S. GIs Beat Wounded Man
Where were your editor's minds, when they approved the following:
"... said the local man, who refused to give his name or show his face to the camera. His account could not be independently verified."
But that didn't stop Newsday from printing this libel. This is nothing but journalistic malpractice.
This guy Quinn is no journalist. He's a propagandist. He's also an ally of our enemies, just like Newsday.
P. Lionel Beckwith
Ellenton, FL
PS - No wonder Newsday has to lie about its circulation.
You said -- "I don't understand this, help exlain it to me...Some US Troopers find the leader of the terrorists forces who is directly responsable for the deaths of their comrades and the start whoppin' on his sodomized ass and you don't believe it?"
No, I don't -- except as an anomaly. I believe our troops are quite disciplined, you see. And also, I know that they're aware of how these kinds of reactions can be blown out of proportion, too -- by the media. They're not in a "vacuum" over there. So, with the combination of things, no, I don't believe that's the norm. It's not hard for me to believe that our troops are that disciplined. Perhaps you think they are quite undisplined (I guess...).
And also, you said -- "It's sounds perfectly logical to me and I don't honestly see anything wrong with it either. What surprises me is that is seems to bother you people. Were I the commander at the place, I would of had him dragged behind a humvee back to the nearest field hospital. Hellooooooooooo? There's a war going on here, people."
Well, actually, I would see something wrong with it, just like people see something wrong with someone kicking someone (anyone...) when they're down. After you've captured and restrained someone, then you've got them. There's no need for force to do anything further to them.
You see.., the troops are very well aware that once a person is not a danger to them any longer and that they have control over a situation -- then, in our way of live and government -- we then let the authorities deal with *any and all* justice to the person. That's our way, as you well know.
And so, no matter what those kinds of terrorists would do to us..., I believe our troops know what we're fighting for -- not to become *bigger terrorists* than the terrorists themselves -- but rather -- to impart our values to them, in the way we act and do our job over there. We won't unnecessarily endanger ourselves and our troops, but (also) we won't become bigger terrorists than the terrorist themselves, either.
They understand that they are also "military ambassadors", too -- besides doing their jobs (militarily).
BUT -- as I said in my previous post, I doubted -- that even if it did happen (and it would be an anomaly) -- most people here would not be too sympathetic to listening to such a complaint from a witness saying that they saw it. Most people here (knowing who Zarqawi is and was) would simply say that Zarqawi has done a lot worse to a lot of others. And with him (Zarqawi), that's where it would end.
So, I don't think there's too much wrong with what I've said -- either from the standpoint of the conduct of our troops or from the reaction of the American public (at large) to what was pointed out here (by that witness).
Regards,
Star Traveler
I only hope hat the "arab robe" they wrapped his head in had previously been soaked in pig fat.
"The witness, who lives near the house where al-Zarqawi spent his last days, said he saw the man lying on the ground near an irrigation canal."
The pictures I saw showed the house was more like an estate. I did not see any houses nearby. And, it was in the midst of an Date Tree Orchard. So, whoever was watching had to look around trees and over some great distance.
I wonder what else was LOST in Translation.
This has got to be on the "Breaking News" over at the DU. Anyone care to look and paste some of their comments. They must be delighted this guys story made print. they will believe a dirty smelly rag head over a General anyday.
THE MADDNESS OVER AT THE DU - LOOK AT JUST A FEW OF THEIR COMMENTS ON THIS STORY.
I wish I could say I was shocked
No high point in this idiotic war has escaped their insidious spin and lying theatrics, so how can we expect anything different from them now?
A pregnant woman was also killed
Pieces of the truth keep coming out.
The pure stupidity of the people running this whole fiasco ,here you have one of the top leaders of what you consider your enemy ,a possible wealth of information , and instead of trying to keep him alive you beat the wounded man to death !
Newsday - a parody of itself.
What took them so long?
After the photoshop question at the Snow presser, I expected torture to come up next. The left never fails me.
BAGHDAD, Iraq - An Iraqi man who was one of the first people on the scene of the U.S. airstrike targeting Abu Musab al-Zarqawi said he saw American troops beating a man who had a beard like the al-Qaida leader.
-An Iraqi man source... hmmm. A beard like Zarqawis... ok.
The witness, who lives near the house where al-Zarqawi spent his last days, said he saw the man lying on the ground near an irrigation canal. He was badly wounded but still alive, the man told Associated Press Television News.
-Television News?
We all know the AP and Al Reuters/Arabiya only talk to terrorists and wait a minute... I didn't see other houses anywhere near Z's place (unless he lived in the trees). So was his house destroyed? Move along... nothing to see here.
U.S. troops arriving on the scene wrapped the man's head in an Arab robe and began beating him, said the local man, who refused to give his name or show his face to the camera. His account could not be independently verified.
-Couldn't be verified, but good enough to print; Remember when news meant facts?
Wow it's a good thing this witness saw his beard before they covered it with an Arab robe (which we know is standard issue for US troops). Hmmm, no mention of the Iraqi troops getting there first... nevermind.
The U.S. military made no mention of any physical contact between U.S. troops and al-Zarqawi other than an attempt to provide him with medical attention.
-He also said this... further in your article.
"Well, what we had found, as with anything, first reports are not always fully accurate as we continue the debriefings. But we were not aware yesterday that, in fact, Zarqawi was alive when U.S. forces arrived on the site," Caldwell said.
"Well, what we had found, as with anything, first reports are not always fully accurate as we continue the debriefings. But we were not aware yesterday that, in fact, Zarqawi was alive when U.S. forces arrived on the site," Caldwell said.
His recounting of the aftermath of the airstrike could not be independently verified. The Iraqi government confirmed only that Iraqi forces were first on the scene, followed by the Americans.
- Ok, Iraqis at the scene first... again, in the article.
Zarqawi died shortly after the U.S. military obliterated his hideout northwest of Baghdad Wednesday with two 500-pound bombs. The bombs tore a huge crater in the date palm forest where the house was nestled outside the town of Baqouba.
-In the date palm forest where the house was nestled?
Iraqi police pulled him from the flattened home and placed him on a makeshift stretcher. U.S. troops arrived, saw that al-Zarqawi was conscious, and tried to provide medical treatment, the spokesman said.
- Hold on... The "witness" said he was lying on the ground near an irrigation canal; Didn't he also say the US troops got to him and wrapped the guy's head with a beard like Zarqawis with an Arab robe and beat him? Nothing to see here... proceed.
From a helicopter hovering above the site, a wide swath of destruction could be seen. There were no remaining walls in the house, The debris included a skimpy slip in a leopard skin pattern and other see-through pieces of women's clothing. In the crater itself were charred dresses, torn blankets, thin sponge mattresses and pillows.
Also scattered among the debris of concrete blocks was a pillow with a floral pattern, sandals and a bag. There was also a foam mattress, a cooler and part of a washing machine. Green pomegranates hung from a tree left standing nearby.
-Ummm... I saw a collapsed roof, but then again
An aide to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media, said he saw Caldwell's news briefing but could neither confirm nor deny that al-Zarqawi briefly survived the blast.
"Well, I think it's clear: The Americans said he was seriously wounded and he died," the aide said.
- Ok, the Caldwell's statements can't be verified either... so that makes him equal to your witness with no name and face. al-Maliki's aide could not confirm or deny.
Wait a minute... so this means the witness is more credible because we can't confirm the blast aftermath, the general or al-Maliki's aide (who they can't identify, but writes as his aide).
AP gets better every day... I want to grow up to be a propagandist... I mean journalist.
I completely agree! In fact, it wouldn't bother me in the least if he was 100% fine when they got to him and they did it. I highly doubt it due to the professional nature of our Special Forces, but if they did, great. I sincerely hope that they enjoyed it.
And what, he'd have been treated better had they dragged him into the street and dished him off to Iraqis?? Right. He'd have been entirely unrecognizeable after just a few minutes with them.
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