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10/07/2004: In a way, a microcosm of the whole war? Shoot first, justify later, if at all?
WARNING Highly disturbing video clip here. Take them out, dude: pilots toast hit on Iraqi 'civilians' (Information Clearing House)
The Pentagon said yesterday it was investigating cockpit video footage that shows American pilots attacking and killing a group of apparently unarmed Iraqi civilians.The text is basically a reprint of an article from The Independent (UK). The Information Clearing House page, however, includes a video file purporting to be the cockpit video. The video shows crosshairs tracking a group of people (looks to be between 75-100 to me) running down a street. The soundtrack is as follows:
The 30-second clip shows the pilot targeting the group of people in a street in the city of Fallujah and asking his mission controllers whether he should "take them out". He is told to do so and, shortly afterwards, the footage shows a huge explosion where the people were. A second voice can be heard on the clip saying: "Oh, dude."
The existence of the video, taken last April inside the cockpit of a US F-16 fighter has been known for some time, though last night's broadcast by Channel 4 News is believed to be the first time a mainstream broadcaster has shown the footage.
At no point during the exchange between the pilot and controllers does anyone ask whether the Iraqis are armed or posing a threat. Critics say it proves war crimes are being committed.
Voice A: I've got numerous individuals on the road. Do you want me to take those out?Georgie, Dick and Rummy, you got some 'splainin' to do!
Voice B: Take 'em out.
[pause; some apparently garbled radio chatter]
Voice A: Ten seconds
Voice B: Roger.
[Pause. Approximately ten seconds later a large explosion occurs within the group of people running in the street.]
Voice A: Impact.
Voice B: Oh, dude...
[Thanks to Jo Fish at Democratic Veteran for the head's up]
Len on 10.07.04 @ 07:04 AM CST
Replies: 4 comments
on Thursday, October 7th, 2004 at 8:29 PM CST, Gooseneck said
This is sick.
on Thursday, October 7th, 2004 at 11:50 PM CST, tom said
war is no more glamourous than the drunk who kills innocent people by driving or adults partaking of multiple sex partners and spreading decease. It is a product of the human condition and Iraq is no different. So, don't act so shocked and study a bit more history. What kind of philosopher seeks first to publish his ideas... no they must first seek to understand that which has already been published or risk being the fool who published new work in ignorance of its previous existance.
on Friday, October 8th, 2004 at 9:00 AM CST, Len Cleavelin said
And the point is? I'm not shocked by the fact that innocent people die in wartime. However, assuming a good defense isn't offered by the parties involved, what we have here is prima facie evidence of a war crime against the people we're allegedly "liberating". That does shock me, because in my naivete I expect Americans to be better than that. Especially when we're claiming that this fiasco is being undertaken for noble reasons.
on Friday, October 8th, 2004 at 3:28 PM CST, Angel said
Fuck.
just...
damn