Yet another blot on the US military

For some reason the tabloids haven't been onto this story, although the broadsheets have to an extent. As a result of an investigation undertaken by the Washington Post yet another example of the US military attacking civilians, some of them young children, in Afghanistan last month.

"A preliminary U.S. military investigation indicates that more than 40 Afghans killed or wounded by Marines after a suicide bombing in a village near Jalalabad last month were civilians, the U.S. commander who ordered the probe said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Frank H. Kearney III, head of Special Operations Command Central, also said there is no evidence that the Marine Special Operations platoon came under small-arms fire after the bombing, although the Marines reported taking enemy fire and seeing people with weapons. The troops continued shooting at perceived threats as they traveled miles from the site of the March 4 attack, he said. They hit several vehicles, killing at least 10 people and wounding 33, among them children and elderly villagers."

Of course, this further example of American military misadventure will "help" the US win the hearts and minds of the populace in the Middle East!

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Mahler's Prodigal Son

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