Sunday, July 22, 2007

Airstrikes In An Urban Area Are Murder

" Baghdad, July 21- American helicopters and warplanes attacked a Shiite area... killing at least 15 people and wounding 10, according to an official at the Iraqi Interior Ministry, who said some of the casualties were women and children".

How many times have we read about collateral death and damage from American airstrikes in Iraq and Afghanistan? What's the difference between a suicide bomber or an American pilot firing a laser-guided 500 pound bomb in a surgical strike in an urban setting? The answer is an American pilot unlike the suicide bomber can be reused. Detonating bombs in an urban setting either by suicide belts, explosive cars etc. or by airstrike is equal to murder.

"Winning the hearts and minds" of Iraqis or Afghans reguires that there be a positive difference between the " enemy" and the " liberator".

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