[RedRover]

Let me or jazusamo know if you want to be on the Haditha Marine Ping List.

[Eagles6]

Notice that none of the stories mention that some of the "civilians" killed were in fact terrorists.

[RedRover]

I'm sure Mattis is an honorable man, but the article ignores the Murtha factor.

Murtha destroyed any chance for an unpolitical investigation back in May. For those who missed it, six months ago, Murtha said that the Marines' investigation would show that there was no firefight and that the Marines' killed "innocent civilians in cold blood".

The investigation was a farce. Murtha had already dictated the outcome.

Is Mattis strong enough to release a report that contradicts Murtha? How long would Mattis keep his job? Murtha controls the appropriations and has many old and powerful friends in the Corps. That's the real story.

[untrained skeptic]

This is one of the few articles I've read on the subject that doesn't use unnamed pentagon officials as the source for it's material.

I don't think the article added any new information on the subject for me, but I'm impressed that it appears like a genuine journalistic effort. That's rare these days.

[pinkpanther111]

One of the lawmakers who attended Wednesday's briefing on Capitol Hill, Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., the incoming chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, said that the Haditha incident was a tragedy, and that the legal process now must decide if it was criminal. "What happened at Haditha was horrific, but it does not reflect the actions of the vast majority of our brave military men and women who serve with honor," he said.

This makes it sound like his mind is made up to me. When you declare the incident horrific then try to separate the rest of the military for the event. I know hes a democrat but it still makes me feel a bit uneasy about the whole matter.

[freema]

No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy

[RedRover]

I sent Mr Walker a respectful e-mail, thanking him for the article but asking whether he might be underestimating the Murtha factor.

He wrote back at some length, explaining why he didn't think Murtha was a factor. Not sure I agree, but I was impressed that he'd take the time to respond. Seems like a good and thoughtful guy. Glad there's some in the media.