----- Original Message -----
From: "Hermit" <hidden@lucifer.com>
To: <virus@lucifer.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2002 5:19 AM
Subject: Re: virus: Protecting non-combatants - Respecting conventions.
> Perhaps somebody out there will agree with you.
Yep. That'll be me (amongst many many others).
Hermit, why is it that that brilliant sceptical mind of yours appears to
have a susceptibility to almost any old rubbish that is anti-American? You
take great pride in rejecting the official versions of events as offered by
your host country and the Western press, yet you accept without
qualification unsubstantiated allegations made in the Russian version of
National Enquirer refracted from a misquotation in a local US rag.
The follow up letter that you posted from Private Guckenheimer confirms
exactly what Joe said. Your opening post was a triumphant passing along of
propaganda bunk based on a misunderstanding of what young Guckenheimer was
saying. Joe correctly pointed out that:
"As far a soldiers being specifically instructed to kill women and children,
I do not believe that such instruction was given - *unless it was perceived
that they were
armed.* ANY armed combatants are legitimate targets in a battle situation
by the simple doctrine of self-defence. A bullet fired by a woman or a
child is just as deadly as one fored by a hardened Al Quaeda mujaheddin".
We can see now that Joe was entirely correct.
Before I read the clarification, my Bullshit Detector was beeping, and I was
wondering why people accept this soldiers words at all? His whole story
might be bunk. There is no evidence to support his claims at all. Not even
other soldiers making similar claims. Whats more he is dodgy, his parents
are Berkley liberal lefties, who knows if he was not primed to drop this
little allegation into his interview?:
"His parents, Meredith Kusch and John Guckenheimer, attended Oberlin College
in Ohio and the University of California at Berkeley during the Vietnam era.
They used to joke that they would disown him if he ever joined the military,
he said...Guckenheimer said he believed his parents had been indoctrinated
with a skewed view of the Vietnam War that led them to undervalue war's
place in defending the United States."
His little outburst has made him famous amongst the anti-war types, but they
must all be wondering why none of it is corroborated by any evidence (or for
that matter any other soldiers reporting similar instructions).
Likeliest situation:
SCENE 1
AFGHAN MOUNTAIN STAGING POST - OPERATION ANACONDA - A SERGEANT ADDRESSES
HIS SQUAD:
Sergeant: Men, when we get up there, take NOTHING for granted. This campaign
has been going on for quite a while and we are reasonably sure that those
who want to be outta there would be. If you see women and children there is
a good chance they may be combatants. Just like we have women soldiers, so
do they. We also know that there are children fighters. I know it goes
against very instinct in your bones to shoot at women and childen, but if
they are armed and trying to kill you - you have a duty to yourself and your
buddies to fight back. In Mogadishu we lost people because soldiers refused
to shoot at women providing cover for gunmen. Our enemies use our nobility
against us. Be aware of it. Don't loose your life to sentimental notions
about women and children. This is war.
SCENE 2
A HIPPY HOUSEHOLD IN ITHICA 6 MONTHS LATER - A PRIVATE TALKS TO THE PRESS
Private Innocent: We were told there were no friendly forces. If there was
anybody there, they were the enemy. We were told specifically that if there
were women and children to kill them.
SCENE 3
AN IOWA HERMITAGE
Hermit: Argh Child killers! The proof!!!!!. This will show Joe and Jonathan!
[ A beep sounds as a hasty e-mail is sent to a mailing list ]
Hermit: Oh no, what this? A clarification. [ Hermits ears turn purple with
embarrassment ].
END
Regards, you friend
Jonathan
.
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