Was it the right thing for Col. Nicholson to apologize for an event that wasn't fully investigated yet? See link here
Conway Condemns Afghanistan Apology
"....On May 9, Col. John Nicholson, commander of the 3rd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan said he had conveyed "apologies" to the Afghan victims' families, giving them about $2,000 each in payments for their loss.
"I stand before you today deeply ashamed and terribly sorry that Americans have killed and wounded innocent Afghan people," Nicholson told the Afghans in a statement. "This was a terrible, terrible mistake. ... We humbly and respectfully ask your forgiveness."
...."Marine Commandant Gen. James Conway told reporters May 17 the recent statement made by a top Army commander in Afghanistan that the civilian deaths were a "stain on our honor" and a "terrible, terrible mistake" wasn't appropriate and did not factor in the presumption of innocence every service member enjoys."....
Yes, it was. First, we KNOW innocent people were killed, so why not apologize? It is also good tactics, since it diffuses anger. And the Army DID an investigation - but the Marines didn’t like where it was headed.