U.S. Pounds Saddam's Hometown; 2 GIs Die: "U.S. rocket and heavy machine gun fire destroyed a warehouse and two houses believed to have been used by militants. Air Force fighters screeching overhead dropped bombs, which rattled houses. Mortar rounds howled, and tracer bullets lit up the sky.
'We want to remind this town that we have teeth and claws and we will use them,' said Lt. Col. Steven Russell of the 4th Infantry Division, who led raid in Tikrit, a city of 120,000 people about 120 miles north of Baghdad. "

I can understand the frustration and grief of our troops in Iraq might want to make them lash out. They are in an impossible situation, trying to bring peace when their very presence is causing war. But indiscriminate attacks by our soldiers are commonplace in Iraq after they are attacked. (See story below : for how the Iraqis react, and where those bullets and rockets do when they go into someone's house.)

Our political leaders carry a heavy responsibility for putting them in this shooting gallery, where they are the targets. But going on a rampage and shooting up buildings is not going to "win hearts and minds". It is criminal behavior. The fact that it seems to be authorized by a Col. Russell indicates that this is a pre meditated strategy. If so, he and others in command must be held to account. Unless of course we actually intend to fight terrorists with terrorism of our own? In that case, god help us and forgive us.

Americans sow seeds of hatred: "'It is their routine,' said her grandfather, Turk Jassim. 'After the Americans are attacked, they shoot everywhere. This is inhuman - a stupid act by a country always talking about human rights.'
Last September, US forces shot dead Sarab's two-year old sister, Dunya, and wounded two other girls in her family, 13-year-old Menal and 16-year old Bassad. The family belongs to the Albueisi tribe who farm the rich land along the Euphrates river south of Falluja. The Albueisi fought against the British and even Saddam Hussein found them difficult to control. Since April, at least 10 members of the tribe have been killed by US forces, including five policemen. "
- posted by geoff @ #