Haditha: Not Sure I'm Buying This

Sorry, but I'm unconvinced this video tape linked by Talk Left is legitimate. Not only does the young girl appear well rehearsed and looking up at the camera in an unusual way as she repeats lines about hating America because they kill people, the version she tells contradicts another eyewitness, the fellow on the roof.

He stated that Marines rushed her house almost immediately, within minutes at most. In this video she states that the IED attack had happened earlier in the day and she had decided not to go to school. Also, the Time report stated that there were no bullet holes on the outside of the houses which meant there was no fire fight. This video refutes that and highlights that very thing.

Also, a previous account stated that the Marines placed the dead in body bags and removed them to a morgue. In one case the video clips here have bodies wrapped in cloth and in the home, allegedly right after the attack.

I'm not saying something terrible didn't happen in Haditha. But given the town's history, I'm also unprepared to accept that some don't want to make as much of this as they can for propaganda purposes. I hope the military gets the report out soon, no matter how bad. Everyone deserves to know the full truth. ITV does not have the best of track records in this regard.

And like with the WaPo story featuring the same girl, ITV states that her story can't be independently verified. Why not? And why the unusual disclaimer in both stories featuring this girl?

Comments

[hobo]

Her face and eyes are not those of one traumatized by the alleged events as she related them. Also, I am much amazed at the willingness of a Muslim female to expose her body the way she did in the video,10 year old child or not. Furthermore, the media appears to be selective about the exposure of not only the photos, but statements concerning the event as a whole. I have seen other photos of the scene that are in direct opposition to what appears that some media sources would have the public regard. Also, supposed eyewitnesses stories do not corroborate each other; in other words, there are stories and there are different stories. As a point, but only one will I relate because there are more, it was said the Marines bagged the bodies and took them to the local morgue. In another release, one of the so called (hostile) eyewitnesses said the body's were lying all over the place after the Marines left. This will not rest well with some readers, but I suggest that when and where weapons and explosives are found in homes, pile them up in the middle of the room and detonate them from across the street. This will eventually discourage people from harboring insurgents and their scummy friends.

[lurking]

As much as I disagree with this "war", I think it is horrific that soldiers are being treated this way. If they are going to be there (the soldiers) they should *NEVER* be second guessed and vilified. I can not imagine any soldier blatantly hurting civilians. If anything it sounds like a story that has a political agenda.

I'm all for getting the US out of Iraq but not like this.

[Stella]

...My_Lai
Posted by: Laney | Monday, May 29, 2006 at 07:56 AM

I was very young at the time My Lai hit the news, but old enough to understand how horrific this incident was - I was shocked and terribly upset when Calley was the only officer/soldier convicted. This atrocity forever changed the view of much of the American public toward the Vietnam war - and unfairly, although understandably due to the shocking revelations combined with human sensibilities, subjected all military personnel to added scrutiny and distrust. Had you followed your own "Wiki" link you would have found mention of "The Medina Standard - is based upon the massacre at My Lai which US captain Ernest Medina failed to prevent. It holds that a commanding officer, being aware of a human rights violation or a war crime, will be held criminally liable when he does not take action." Please understand that I am in no way suggesting that this new standard could ever atone for My Lai - nothing could; however, as in all situations like this, you have to start somewhere.

Maybe "lurking" is being idealistic, but I would certainly rather err on the side of "innocent until proven guilty" rather than vice-versa. The soldiers in Iraq are risking their lives for us; I have tremendous respect, admiration, and appreciation for them and what they are doing.

If the evidence proves that the Marines did commit the atrocities - hang them.

[lurking]

"Maybe "lurking" is being idealistic, but I would certainly rather err on the side of "innocent until proven guilty" rather than vice-versa. The soldiers in Iraq are risking their lives for us; I have tremendous respect, admiration, and appreciation for them and what they are doing.

If the evidence proves that the Marines did commit the atrocities - hang them."

Yes I am idealistic. I agree if they are guilty, they should hang. But do the investigation first and don't make this a media circus/trial in the meantime. I will need to do more reading about this and what happened in VN.

I've watched the video of the girl several times now and it doesn't seem right to me, just my .00002 cents. It's not that the girl seems rehersed so much but that the emotion she shows doesn't match what she is supposed to be talking about. Again just my .00002 cents.

[coconuttree]

@ Hobo
Also, I am much amazed at the willingness of a Muslim female to expose her body the way she did in the video,10 year old child or not.

Oke, you're an American. so I can asume you do not know much about the world outside the US. But after the US invaded Irak you could at least have educated yourselves. During the reign of Saddam Hussain, Irak was one of the modern countries in the middle east with regards to women rights. Did you know that during the first Gulf war, Christmas celebrations outside their compounds were not allowed for American soldiers stationed in Saudi Arabia. The same time Irakese Christians were going to church in Bagdad. So it would quite natural for any women or child in Irak to 'expose her body'.

[john ryan]

Perhaps instead of focusing the blame on what Murtha said to the press after being briefed by the COMMANDANT of the Cor[s we should take nort of what another ret Marrine Colonel who also is in the US House of Reps had to say about this "alleged" incident. Rep Kline(R) said "That would be an atrocity" As bad as the actual incident is the cover up that occured afterwards. Let's remember that this occured last year in November. The only reason the Americans found out is because of Time magazine pursuing the truth. Of course the Iraqis all knew about it, just as they knew about the prison scandal before we did.