The Difference (CM)

Kevin Ferris of the Philadelphia Inquirer:

The allegations about Marines killing civilians in Haditha last year are bad enough. But what's worse is that one possible incident of abuse so easily overshadows the efforts of U.S. forces who struggle daily to prove we are not the Great Satan.

Certainly innocents are being killed in this war, and unlawful behavior should be punished, but recognize the difference:

Our highly disciplined troops are fighting under rules of engagement designed to protect and defend innocents, to minimize the loss of life. They regularly save lives.

The enemy has no rules. They kill as many innocents as possible, as horrifically as possible, every day. They murder outright, or attempt to spark revenge killings among rival factions, or launch attacks while among civilians, hoping that any return fire by U.S. or Iraqi forces will cause casualties.

More here.

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