Collateral murder

[SPman]

At least our armies do have a moral code (unlike the Nazis and the japs in WW2)

The japs did have a moral code - it was just very different to ours.

What you see in this vid is a glimpse of what war is about... this is what we send our troops in to do

I think a lot of people have little concept of that.....

If anything good comes from this video then perhaps it is that we may make wiser decisions about sending troops to war in the first place.

It would be nice.....how about we send the politicians and generals to do the actual fighting! .... and all the bullying loudmouths who sit at home baying for the blood of others!

[Milts]

Yes different in terms of the combat conditions... but the same detached morality is required to do the job - that is my point.... in WW2 we did not have the thoughts words emotions and acts of soldiers broadcast across the world like we do now...but the same thoughts, words, emotions and acts existed then as they do now. We are shocked by the actions of these soldiers but only because it has become visible to us.

But how relevant is that detached morality now that there are regularly civilians in the combat area? It's (perhaps?) acceptable to completely destroy a building housing 500 enemy troops while they are sleeping - that requires 'detatched morality'. But what happens when you apply that same 'moral code' (or lack therof) when the combatants are bunking with the civilians? Or with their families?

[SPman]

"War is hell" - literally!
This "code of honour", whereby you aren't meant to touch civilians, is rare throughout recorded history - it was common practice to raze cities, or at least kill all the men, women and children therein.
I think it's obscene, but, unfortunately, it's what happens!

[Mort]

But how relevant is that detached morality now that there are regularly civilians in the combat area? It's (perhaps?) acceptable to completely destroy a building housing 500 enemy troops while they are sleeping - that requires 'detatched morality'. But what happens when you apply that same 'moral code' (or lack therof) when the combatants are bunking with the civilians? Or with their families?

If combatants seek to disguise themselves as civilians or hide amongst civilians it is civilians who will suffer most.. That is an unavoidable consequence of war... other wise any army will be defeated by men who dont wear uniform. It cannot deter action against an enemy. It can only limit options available to defeat them. Many seek to portray actions like this as indiscriminate killing of innocents.... these guys in the video were out to kill US soldiers. They were legitimate targets.

[Indiana_Jones]

-Indy

[Milts]

If combatants seek to disguise themselves as civilians or hide amongst civilians it is civilians who will suffer most.. That is an unavoidable consequence of war... other wise any army will be defeated by men who dont wear uniform. It cannot deter action against an enemy. It can only limit options available to defeat them. Many seek to portray actions like this as indiscriminate killing of innocents.... these guys in the video were out to kill US soldiers. They were legitimate targets.

I thought the whole gripe was that the guys in THIS video weren't... especially the ones in the van, who were on their way to school.
Also, I really don't see how killing 15 suspected insurgents goes a long way towards winning the 'war'. In this kind of war it's less about numbers and more about minds. Every time you kill an insurgent a wife, son, brother or similar will be angry enough to decide to pick up a gun... and thus it continues.