US soldiers kill Reuters cameraman

[M_Six]

This is a bit outrageous. How can you mistake a camera for an RPG launcher in broad daylight?

[ben-the-slacker]

A camera is a rpg, a shoe is a nade, what's next? A baby is a suicide bomber?

[Chuckiechan]

If it had been an RPG would you have felt better if he hit the tank? He was a victim of his own faulty assumption that the tank crew knew who he was and what he was doing. The RPG wouldn't have hurt the tank, but the gunner on the .50 cal could have been killed. Then the headline would have been "Another soldier dies doing Bush's dirty work!" War is hard on everyone...

BTW: what was the distance? If he was alive long enough to receive first aid, it had to be greater than 200 yards.

[M_Six]

The soldier agreed to their request to film an overview of the prison from a bridge nearby.

"After we filmed we went into the car and prepared to go when a convoy led by a tank arrived and Mazen stepped out of the car to film. I followed him and Mazen walked three to four meters (yards). We were noted and seen clearly," Shyoukhi said.

I'm the first one to defend soldiers when an accident happens in combat or at night, but this appears to have been carelessness. I'm sure we'll hear more about it later. Maybe further investigation will reveal another side.

If it had been an RPG would you have felt better if he hit the tank?

And that was uncalled for.

[Vagabond]

no i dont think that is uncalled for he is making a statment just like the posts before him

[M_Six]

I didn't make the statement before his. And I don't like someone suggesting I'd like to see US soldiers killed or wounded. No excuse for that.

[Mntsnow]

*edited* to remove Personal comment* - Mntsnow

Have you ever been under fire? I would love to see some of the bleeding hearts go day to day knowing that the next corner you come around might be your last. Not being there your self you don't even have a clue as to what was going thru the mind of the soldier. Very possibly all he saw was a shoulder mounted item that with the camera lens looked like a tube of a launcher.

Remember this......That soldier will live the rest of his life second guessing himself......Maybe you shouldn't

Freaking PISSED ME OFF with the attitude(s) shown many times over our men and women in uniform with your off hand and snide comments of how they should be doing this and how they should have done that.......They are doing what they have to do to SURVIVE in a combat zone!.....


Edit #2 - by me to remove a reference that was thought to be directed to a single person...

[Droppyale]

what a shame....



stupid war.

[Atomic Rooster]

These soldiers have been on "edge" since arriving there. They are constantly under the threat of a suprise attack. I can understand how something like this can happen. I probably would have done the same thing if I perceived it to be a threat. Better me alive than dead. Unfortunately the soldier made a mistake and an innocent man died.

[Gomer]

I'm the first one to defend soldiers when an accident happens in combat or at night, but this appears to have been carelessness. I'm sure we'll hear more about it later. Maybe further investigation will reveal another side.

What is so heinous about that statement that people need to fly off the handle?