(From the original citation.) "The soldiers had previously told investigators they were given rules of engagement by 3rd Brigade commander Col. Michael Steele to kill all military-age men. Steele has denied this but invoked his right not to testify."

First, do you think they made this up? I don't, based upon experience in a previous conflict and by the good colonel's unwillingness to testify. Had someone said that about me and it was untrue, I'd be hollaring my head off. And a guy doesn't get to be O-5 or O-6 by sticking his neck out. There are no "rogue" colonels. He's not alone in this.

Now, what percentage of these "incidents" to you think get attention? Are "investigated", euphemism for whitewash unless there is independent collaborative evidence?

My guess is that it's <1%. After all, there's a reason US troops are immune from any accountability except to the DoD, which has been run by Rumsfeld and Gates. And every lousy incident is "isolated". Every one. A few bad people. Not a bad atmosphere. Which is nonsense. Americans aren't trained to fight a war for hearts and minds, aren't taught restraint. They're trained to kill.

Third, how many of these incidents have to occur before Iraqis and the ROW give up on the idea of US troops being liberators, and wish for a better time? Form opinions of the US military as being like any other aggressive, occupying power, such as Germany and Japan? I don't think a lot of 'em hit the US press - people don't like to read them. If Saddam's troops had done this to 3 US citizens, I believe you would be fiercely judgmental, screaming for blood and more blood, innocent or not, makes no difference. Just blood. Sort of like the war in Iraq, and Afghanistan, really.

Y'see, when you get your ideas as to what war is from John Wayne movies, DoD blogs and, I've learned lately, comic books, you have learned a lot that isn't at all, even a little bit, true.

And it is sad. I have to admit the process of disillusion is a hard one, requiring honesty, openmindedness and a willingness to face the ugly in oneself. The alternative is black-and-white thinking. More comfortable in the short run, does not reflect the real world of people, power and predation.

Arf