U.S. official admits phosphorus used as weapon in Iraq (100%, Un-biased Non-dribble)

CBC (Canada) ^ | Nov 16, 2005 | CBC

[proud_yank]

A spokesman for the U.S. military has admitted that soldiers used white phosphorus as an "incendiary weapon" while trying to flush out insurgents in the northern Iraqi city of Fallujah last year.

"White phosphorus is a conventional munition," Lt.-Col. Barry Venable told the British Broadcasting Corporation. "It is not a chemical weapon. They are not outlawed or illegal."

He added that though used mostly to provide smokescreens and flashes of light, in the Fallujah battle, "it was used as an incendiary weapon against enemy combatants."

High-ranking U.S. officials had earlier insisted that the substance, which can burn skin to the bone, was used only to help illuminate battle scenes.

"U.S. forces do not use napalm or white phosphorus as weapons," the American ambassador to London, Robert Tuttle, wrote in a letter to the Independent newspaper.

An unknown number of Iraqi women and children died of phosphorus burns during the hostilities, Italian documentary makers covering the battle for Fallujah have claimed.

Other reporters on the scene have said U.S. forces used a combination of white phosphorus and explosives known as "shake 'n' bake."

Venable's comments could expose the United States to allegations that it has been using chemical weapons in Iraq.

The suspicion that former president Saddam Hussein was developing chemical weapons, as well as biological and nuclear ones, was one of the Bush administration's main justifications for the 2003 invasion of the Persian Gulf country.

[proud_yank]

Revised battlefield protocol.

OLD: US Forces drop bombs or fire missiles to achieve objective.

NEW: US Forces fly over enemy positions, blaring Kenny G love ballads to our 'enemy', proclaiming that if they come out and surrender, we will be their bestest friend. If push comes to shove, flowers and candy canes will be gently sprinkled on 'enemy' positions as a firm, but gentle, reminder that we mean business.

Some people are nuts. How different would this world be if we had this same media in the 30's and 40's?

[Dead Corpse]

Like we've been saying all along... "Yeah? So what?"

[cripplecreek]

Don't forget carpet bombing the entire area with rose petals.

[Holicheese]

I said the same thing, SO.

"the substance, which can burn skin to the bone"
as compared to bullets which just make you giggle.

[CharlesWayneCT]

White Phosphorus is not a "chemical weapon".

[Tarpon]

Shake n Bake, first the fire the smoke grenades to smoke them out, then they fire the HE rounds to kill 'em. Works for me.

[jaj_dad]

An unknown number of Iraqi women and children died of phosphorus burns during the hostilities, Italian documentary makers covering the battle for Fallujah have claimed.

Translation: "We're pretty sure the number is 0, but we're still hoping"

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The object is to kill the other guy. What's the problem here ?

[proud_yank]

LOL! White or red pedals? A politically correct choice is tough. White, and they might think we are being 'racist' and supremecist. Red, and they may take that as a color of aggression. Life is full of tough choices.

[Bigh4u2]

"An unknown number of Iraqi women and children died of phosphorus burns during the hostilities, Italian documentary makers covering the battle for Fallujah have claimed."

Seems pretty simple to prove.

Show us the Pictures. Oh Yeah, and the VICTIMS.

Simple skin tests should confirm or deny it.

[Tarpon]

Obviously the leftists media is trying to cook up another scandal. I see no problem

White Phosphorous is a smoke grenade, scares the you know what out of people in a building and the run outside so they can be killed.

At least we didn't behead them or blow up a wedding party with a suicide bomber masquerading as a guest.

[Jim Noble]

U.S. official admits phosphorus used as weapon in Iraq

Good.

Use more.

[dead]

An unknown number of Iraqi women and children died of phosphorus burns during the hostilities

An unknown number of Iraqi women and children have also flown to the moon on lollipop rockets.

[Jim Noble]

How different would this world be if we had this same media in the 30's and 40's?

We did have the same media.

But, as of December 16, 1941, exercising the War Power of the People of the United States, we also had full press censorship and a fully-funded government propaganda operation to control that media.

[Tzimisce]

Let me get this straight: the left is mad that White Phosphorus was used on enemy combatants in a war situation - but they're not upset when Clinton uses military grade tear gas on the Davians in the Waco compound?

The wonders never cease.

[Mike Darancette]

Fire has always been a part of war.

[proud_yank]

Not anymore!! Read post 1, and thank the left.

[Doogle]

...geeezzz and I was disappointed when the stopped the used
of "flechette" 2.75 warheads back in the old days *grins*.
Another way for the left to support our troops...complain about weapons. Limit their ability to fight,drag every movement,every tactic,every technique before the MSM to exploit as being "too inhumane"
Remember the "gasp" the MSM all let out when Powell said
back in "91"..."we're going to encircle the enemy and kill em"...*tsk tsk*...and then the ever so popular "highway of death" controversy...(brutal just toooooo brutal).
People who have concerns about tactics,techniques,or weapons should read Winnie the Pooh,buy Michael Moore's
next movie and vote for Kennedy.... but above all else, should not get in the way of what HAS TO BE DONE.


Doogle

[Little Bill]

Willie Pete is good, being dead is bad, given the choise, use Willie Pete.

[proud_yank]

But, as of December 16, 1941, exercising the War Power of the People of the United States, we also had full press censorship and a fully-funded government propaganda operation to control that media.

I was unaware that the press was censored. I have been told that the media never highlighted the fact that FDR was parallyzed. They'd never miss that today, well if they were a dem perhaps.