This Slate article (via Hud) shows some good perspective on the Fallujah shooting, but the title irks me: What the Marine Did: The shooting of an unarmed Iraqi was a tragedy. But was it a war crime? Am I the only one who fails to see the "tragedy"? This is the enemy. The same group of people who have been collecting heads since May. The people who attack from mosques and use women and children as shields. Whether or not this man held a weapon in his hand at the moment the Marine killed him does not make the difference between a terrorist and a friendly neighborhood Iraqi. I firmly believe that, had he had a weapon, he would've tried to kill the Marine first. He was the enemy; I fail to see the tragedy of his death.
Posted by Sarah at November 20, 2004 07:08 AMIt seemed to me the title was slapped on there by the editor, because the article was balanced.
I agree that the media is really being disgusting about this story.
Posted by: James Hudnall at November 20, 2004 09:34 AMThe only tragedy is that the video was released to be used as propaganda film by the enemy.
Posted by: Glenmore at November 20, 2004 03:49 PMI think what the authors (both of whom served, by the way) is that the taking of any human life is a tragedy, but in the case of the insurgent it was one that was acceptable.
Posted by: Josh at December 4, 2004 07:21 PM