Shooting in Tal Afar

Are we debating on whether or not soldiers should defend themselves. I agree it sucks that there were civilians in that car, but when any car COULD be a bomb, and they don't stop they have to defend themselves.

We can argue whether or not the war itself is justified, but its hard to argue that the soldiers were not justified in opening fire.

Do you think that they should not have opened fire?

Is there a better checkpoint solution for vehicles that do not follow orders?

It appears that once they saw that they were kids and that they were in no danger, the soldiers did everything they could to administer medical aid and get them to a hospital.

Not very many of our enemies would give the same consideration to us or ANY civilians.

If you want to debate whether or not the war is justified, that is fine...and you can argue stuff like this wouldn't happen if we didn't go to war and you can bash Bush or whatever. But if you are trying to criminalize the soldiers in this story, I don't think that is very fair. The pictures and the story show and state that:

1. The car did not stop and follow orders.
2. It was dark.
3. Soldiers would have no way of knowing what or who was in that car.
4. Once the mistake was identified, the soldiers did everything they could to save the lives of the civilians.

I know this sounds horrible and cruddy, but I would rather some civilians get shot for not following orders than to have American soldiers get blown up from a car bomb for not protecting themselves. Its cruddy that choice has to be made at all, but that's the one that has to be made for any semblance of security or structure for our soldiers.

 

yes, but Spiderman won't go to Iraq.