Failed accountability, WikiLeaks show true cost of war

The release by WikiLeaks late last week of 391,832 secret documents on the Iraq War has been said to be “…the most comprehensive and detailed account of any war ever to have entered the public record.” The revelations emerging from these documents showcase the culture of impunity that has plagued this war effort, including the U.S. government’s failure to adequately address rights violations linked to the corporations and contractors used to fight our wars.

As an August 22, 2006 report released by WikiLeaks stated

AFTER THE IED STRIKE A WITNESS REPORTS THE BLACKWATER EMPLOYEES FIRED INDISCRIMINATELY AT THE SCENE.

More than one year later, on September 16, 2007, Blackwater (now renamed Xe) guards, still benefiting from huge government contracts, shot and killed 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square, Baghdad. This is just one example of many that can be found in the leaked documents.

It is clear that the record of unjustified killings and violence by PSCs is far beyond what had previously been released to the public. As it stands, none of these incidents has resulted in prosecution, and even those cases that have moved forward have resulted in dismissal or failure to indict.  Recently, a case against Andrew J. Moonen, a former Blackwater guard who was accused of killing a guard assigned to an Iraqi VP while wandering drunk in the Green Zone, was dropped by the Justice Department, citing difficulties in obtaining evidence in war zones, and the granting of immunities to the defendant by American officials at the scene.

Even the most public of cases, including that against Blackwater guards for the shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square, have resulted in dismissals in US courts.  This culture of impunity extends across PSC activities.  On September 11th, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in a 2 to 1 ruling dismissed a lawsuit brought against CACI International that alleged CACI personnel participated in torture and abuse at the Abu Ghraib prison.

By creating complex legal hurdles, issuing on the scene immunities, and failing to ensure an environment of transparency, oversight and accountability, we are shielding the true costs of our wars, not only financially but in human terms as well.  The release of these documents showcases just how terrible that cost is.

Let’s continue to call for accountability in conflict zones. Tell President Obama and Congress to respect human rights and counter terror with justice.

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51 thoughts on “Failed accountability, WikiLeaks show true cost of war

  1. this is how "democracy" looks like… i hope bush and collaborators get the big justice right in their asses

  2. It's not that Wikileaks doesn't support the troops. Wikileaks doesn't support lies and misinformation given out by government entities. As the saying goes, "Don't just talk about it; be about it." If the United States wants to boast about their great human rights efforts, wants to say they wish to bring peace to every country they bomb, then at the very least when and if corruption is found, it should be addressed. I think the Pentagon is making itself look horrible in the eyes of its own citizens and those of other nations due to how much they have focused on "shooting the messenger". I've heard too little, if anything, about dealing with these issues of corruption and taking accountability. It's basically, "deny and divert". And we would have never known about these issues of corruption, save for the people in Iraq and Afghanistan actually seeing it for themselves daily, had Wikileaks not brought this to the forefront. So thank you Wikileaks. When lies are being told by respected government entities, you should WANT to know as you are not so far removed from the realities as you think.

    The Pentagon should be grateful that this is being brought to the light, as any person or nation willing to better his or herself or itself need to address corruption head on and not let offenders get off easy. Trying to silence WIkileaks is at best just a tactic to divert us from the real issue here: we have been told several lies, some laws have been broken, and when offenses WERE SUPPOSED TO BE investigated, they either were not or people got slaps on the wrist at best.

    I think the Pentagon is doing the US a great disservice in the eyes of the international community with this constant diverting of attention away from the actual content of the logs that would suggest corruption. We need to hear some accountability, because other nations and other peoples from these nations shall hold the US accountable. The international community is watching the States very closely.

  3. This doesn't surprise me at all. The Powers that be would Snuff out Julian Assange w/o any remorse, just as they Snuffed out Kennedy. God forbid the secrets of the Elite come to light. Weather it be our own Elite, or that of Foreign Government or Private Corporations or Banks. Julian Assange has certainly created a difficult situation for our Government, the full ramifications of which, are yet to be known, and will come to light in the near future. However… Assange and his team have made the effort to Protect individuals involved, and have even tried to work closely with the Pentagon to minimize the impact of their latest release.

    What they are most afraid of, is the possible future release of Documents concerning Enron, The FED, our Congress and possibly Agencies such as the FBI, CIA or Secret Service. Most of the Documents concerning Enron, and it's investigation, were destroyed in the Demolition of WTC Building 7, Which was a Crime. What better way to destroy evidence, AND use it as a pretext to war?

    Let's face it… If the People of this Country were to get wind of Treasonous acts perpetrated by members of our Government or certain Agencies, or it's current Administration, It would most assuredly cause them to lose their Current control over the general thinking of the American People. Assange was neither irresponsible, nor unwarranted in his actions. He is simply shedding some small but powerful Truth regarding the War. The People of America have the right to know what it's Children are fighting and Dying for. If you can't understand that… Then you are nothing in my eyes, but one of the Sheeple, Who buy into all the Government Disinformation regarding the deaths of our Soldiers (Like Pat Tillman) and Many others. Or… You're on someones Payroll to help spread that Disinformation. Either way… We, the American Public, have every right to know how many Civilians we've killed while in that particular Theater of operations… And Congress has the Power, Authority and Duty, to stop the War once it is clear that we have done more harm than good by being there… And by the way… The way this war has unfolded… It wouldn't surprise me to have some kind of war brought straight to our Home Land Soil, due to the mistakes of the last 3-4 Presidential Administrations. God Forbid… Though Once Loved, we are a Hated Nation now because of those mistakes… And it isn't due to the Actions of American Civilians, who have been lied to time and time again, and deceived purposefully, in order to go to war. Case in point… The gulf of Tonkin… And the Bay of Pigs. In Conclusion… I would say that sending Assange to Gitmo for the purpose of Torture, humiliation and ultimate Death… Are exactly the kind of sentiments that got us into this situation in the first place… And are exactly the kind of People who tell our Soldiers to turn a Blind eye to the Torture they See on the Battlefield. People who say as much about Julian Assange or Dan Ellsberg (that they should be sent to Gitmo)… Are the same kind of People within the Iraqi Police, who ARE doing the torturing in the first place. You are one and the same. Evil People with an Agenda of your own.

    What other secrets does assange have? Will he take them to his Grave at the Hands of our Leaders? Or will good Honest People Protect Him from such an end. Presidents and Founding Fathers have warned us Time and Time again, about the Dangers of Secret Government. When… Will we listen?

    Some of you would even send me to Gitmo, for simply expressing my opinion on the subject. It is you People who believe that others should not have a right to think for themselves… Who cause these kinds of issues, by thinking you can actually Eradicate Free Speech or Free Press… And Who think the whole Country should have their Thoughts and Beliefs Shoved down their throats for them.

    Those People are truly the Number one Disease this Country and its People, should Vaccinate against.

    Thank you for your time.

  4. People need to understand that Wikileaks and it's supporters are in no way anti-american, no matter how much the press may make it seem that way.

    We stand for truth, we stand for integrity. If America can't learn to look at and recognize their own flaws then this country is going nowhere but downhill. I don't care what the circumstances are, you do not lie about death tolls and costs,

    it's CORRUPT and NOT the way our country should be running.

  5. If anyone dislikes my post… I kindly invite them to post a reply… Be Civil and most of all Sincere… I will listen to what you have to say, even though I may not like it or even agree. Have some intestinal Fortitude, and speak your mind. As always… Thank you for your time.

  6. It’s not that Wikileaks doesn’t support the troops. Wikileaks doesn’t support lies and misinformation given out by government entities. As the saying goes, “Don’t just talk about it; be about it.” If the United States wants to boast about their great human rights efforts, wants to say they wish to bring peace to every country they bomb, then at the very least when and if corruption is found, it should be addressed. I think the Pentagon is making itself look horrible in the eyes of its own citizens and those of other nations due to how much they have focused on “shooting the messenger”. I’ve heard too little, if anything, about dealing with these issues of corruption and taking accountability. It’s basically, “deny and divert”. And we would have never known about these issues of corruption, save for the people in Iraq and Afghanistan actually seeing it for themselves daily, had Wikileaks not brought this to the forefront. So thank you Wikileaks. When lies are being told by respected government entities, you should WANT to know as you are not so far removed from the realities as you think.

    The Pentagon should be grateful that this is being brought to the light, as any person or nation willing to better his or herself or itself need to address corruption head on and not let offenders get off easy. Trying to silence WIkileaks is at best just a tactic to divert us from the real issue here: we have been told several lies, some laws have been broken, and when offenses WERE SUPPOSED TO BE investigated, they either were not or people got slaps on the wrist at best.

    I think the Pentagon is doing the US a great disservice in the eyes of the international community with this constant diverting of attention away from the actual content of the logs that would suggest corruption. We need to hear some accountability, because other nations and other peoples from these nations shall hold the US accountable. The international community is watching the States very closely.

  7. This doesn’t surprise me at all. The Powers that be would Snuff out Julian Assange w/o any remorse, just as they Snuffed out Kennedy. God forbid the secrets of the Elite come to light. Weather it be our own Elite, or that of Foreign Government or Private Corporations or Banks. Julian Assange has certainly created a difficult situation for our Government, the full ramifications of which, are yet to be known, and will come to light in the near future. However… Assange and his team have made the effort to Protect individuals involved, and have even tried to work closely with the Pentagon to minimize the impact of their latest release.

    What they are most afraid of, is the possible future release of Documents concerning Enron, The FED, our Congress and possibly Agencies such as the FBI, CIA or Secret Service. Most of the Documents concerning Enron, and it’s investigation, were destroyed in the Demolition of WTC Building 7, Which was a Crime. What better way to destroy evidence, AND use it as a pretext to war?

    Let’s face it… If the People of this Country were to get wind of Treasonous acts perpetrated by members of our Government or certain Agencies, or it’s current Administration, It would most assuredly cause them to lose their Current control over the general thinking of the American People. Assange was neither irresponsible, nor unwarranted in his actions. He is simply shedding some small but powerful Truth regarding the War. The People of America have the right to know what it’s Children are fighting and Dying for. If you can’t understand that… Then you are nothing in my eyes, but one of the Sheeple, Who buy into all the Government Disinformation regarding the deaths of our Soldiers (Like Pat Tillman) and Many others. Or… You’re on someones Payroll to help spread that Disinformation. Either way… We, the American Public, have every right to know how many Civilians we’ve killed while in that particular Theater of operations… And Congress has the Power, Authority and Duty, to stop the War once it is clear that we have done more harm than good by being there… And by the way… The way this war has unfolded… It wouldn’t surprise me to have some kind of war brought straight to our Home Land Soil, due to the mistakes of the last 3-4 Presidential Administrations. God Forbid… Though Once Loved, we are a Hated Nation now because of those mistakes… And it isn’t due to the Actions of American Civilians, who have been lied to time and time again, and deceived purposefully, in order to go to war. Case in point… The gulf of Tonkin… And the Bay of Pigs. In Conclusion… I would say that sending Assange to Gitmo for the purpose of Torture, humiliation and ultimate Death… Are exactly the kind of sentiments that got us into this situation in the first place… And are exactly the kind of People who tell our Soldiers to turn a Blind eye to the Torture they See on the Battlefield. People who say as much about Julian Assange or Dan Ellsberg (that they should be sent to Gitmo)… Are the same kind of People within the Iraqi Police, who ARE doing the torturing in the first place. You are one and the same. Evil People with an Agenda of your own.

    What other secrets does assange have? Will he take them to his Grave at the Hands of our Leaders? Or will good Honest People Protect Him from such an end. Presidents and Founding Fathers have warned us Time and Time again, about the Dangers of Secret Government. When… Will we listen?

    Some of you would even send me to Gitmo, for simply expressing my opinion on the subject. It is you People who believe that others should not have a right to think for themselves… Who cause these kinds of issues, by thinking you can actually Eradicate Free Speech or Free Press… And Who think the whole Country should have their Thoughts and Beliefs Shoved down their throats for them.

    Those People are truly the Number one Disease this Country and its People, should Vaccinate against.

    Thank you for your time.

  8. People need to understand that Wikileaks and it’s supporters are in no way anti-american, no matter how much the press may make it seem that way.

    We stand for truth, we stand for integrity. If America can’t learn to look at and recognize their own flaws then this country is going nowhere but downhill. I don’t care what the circumstances are, you do not lie about death tolls and costs,

    it’s CORRUPT and NOT the way our country should be running.

  9. If anyone dislikes my post… I kindly invite them to post a reply… Be Civil and most of all Sincere… I will listen to what you have to say, even though I may not like it or even agree. Have some intestinal Fortitude, and speak your mind. As always… Thank you for your time.

  10. Krigen er sikkert tenkt som en god handling, men den kunne ha vert mer åpen for alle menesker i USA og i Europa.
    At WikiLeaks utgir det de gjør er en seier for det vi kaller ett Demokrati noe som skal og bør være åpent for alle i USA og resten av verden.
    Jeg er imot at Norway sender tropper til Afganistan, hva i helvete skal vi der å gjøre, jo vi er medlem av Nato derfor må Norge sende styrker ned. Jeg hvar så sikker på at krigen skulle avta ikke øke i omfang.Skam dere som sriver denne krigen kun for økonomisk vinning. Det er desverre en ralitet.

  11. Let's now try to get Assange fixated on spilling the beans on how the banks really work.

  12. Krigen er sikkert tenkt som en god handling, men den kunne ha vert mer åpen for alle menesker i USA og i Europa.
    At WikiLeaks utgir det de gjør er en seier for det vi kaller ett Demokrati noe som skal og bør være åpent for alle i USA og resten av verden.
    Jeg er imot at Norway sender tropper til Afganistan, hva i helvete skal vi der å gjøre, jo vi er medlem av Nato derfor må Norge sende styrker ned. Jeg hvar så sikker på at krigen skulle avta ikke øke i omfang.Skam dere som sriver denne krigen kun for økonomisk vinning. Det er desverre en ralitet.

  13. Let’s now try to get Assange fixated on spilling the beans on how the banks really work.

  14. The over arching failure that I perceive and haven't heard referenced is the fact that this is a representative government…meaning that what they do abroad in the world is IN YOUR name. If free people do nothing about their government committing atrocities and war crimes, then they condone that action through their ignorance and/or apathy. All that is required for evil to flourish is that good people do nothing. To be blunt, allowing the farce of what is being passed as freedom anymore to go unchecked will have results more horrific than anything you've ever seen, hears or read about. The enemies of freedom (which are international bankers, not Muslims) have created and almost fully implemented a system of control the likes of which the world has never seen. It is total. It is complete. And it is here, now. Otherwise Mr. Assange wouldn't need to run at all. Wash the dust from your eyes, so you can see clear enough to be able to manage the task of setting right the views the entire world has toward America right now. Believe me, the next phase is discrediting the UK, the USA and their allies and effectively removing them from veto positions in the UN so that the agenda born and started here can be implemented across the planet. My prediction is that the USA will be silenced under UN sanctions, and the true worldwide horror will begin. None of the people who actually have any real power have no citizenship to anything but money and power, so don't really care why happens to you and I at all…let that sink in for a minute, and consider that the US currently is trying a child soldier, is implicated in the inside job that is the WTC debacle, has financially destabilized the world through injection of trillions of dollars into it's economy and practiced horrific untold business practices worldwide, has been implicated in terrorist activity through mercenary involvement, and has ignored the pleas and cries of it's citizens for the truth. Next, the UN declares the US a police state, and we have UN soldiers running checkpoints on our city streets comprised of soldiers who have had to look on in silence over the years at the USA's untouchable, unaccountable attitude. Quite frankly I'm scared witless.

  15. The over arching failure that I perceive and haven’t heard referenced is the fact that this is a representative government…meaning that what they do abroad in the world is IN YOUR name. If free people do nothing about their government committing atrocities and war crimes, then they condone that action through their ignorance and/or apathy. All that is required for evil to flourish is that good people do nothing. To be blunt, allowing the farce of what is being passed as freedom anymore to go unchecked will have results more horrific than anything you’ve ever seen, hears or read about. The enemies of freedom (which are international bankers, not Muslims) have created and almost fully implemented a system of control the likes of which the world has never seen. It is total. It is complete. And it is here, now. Otherwise Mr. Assange wouldn’t need to run at all. Wash the dust from your eyes, so you can see clear enough to be able to manage the task of setting right the views the entire world has toward America right now. Believe me, the next phase is discrediting the UK, the USA and their allies and effectively removing them from veto positions in the UN so that the agenda born and started here can be implemented across the planet. My prediction is that the USA will be silenced under UN sanctions, and the true worldwide horror will begin. None of the people who actually have any real power have no citizenship to anything but money and power, so don’t really care why happens to you and I at all…let that sink in for a minute, and consider that the US currently is trying a child soldier, is implicated in the inside job that is the WTC debacle, has financially destabilized the world through injection of trillions of dollars into it’s economy and practiced horrific untold business practices worldwide, has been implicated in terrorist activity through mercenary involvement, and has ignored the pleas and cries of it’s citizens for the truth. Next, the UN declares the US a police state, and we have UN soldiers running checkpoints on our city streets comprised of soldiers who have had to look on in silence over the years at the USA’s untouchable, unaccountable attitude. Quite frankly I’m scared witless.

  16. 'Loose Change – Final Cut' was excellent, as was the 1st portion of 'Zeitgeist – The Movie' which deals with the same issues, as does 'Fabled Enemies' (which is made by some of the Loose Change peeps).

    Although I would go for '911 – In Plane Sight' which is slightly more mainstream, production-wise, and which deals with the news reporting on that day, and how it changed throughout the day, and in the subsequent weeks.

    Another great film is 'Leading To War' which does much more to expose the lead up to Iraqi invasion, entirely thru news reports. 'Kill The Messenger', is another interesting film, about Sibel Edmonds, who uncovered evidence of US govt foreknowledge of 911, and an illegal international nuclear black market.

    We got all of those films I mentioned featured here> http://www.blatantworld.com/documentaries/911_and

    Please take the time to watch atleast 1 of them. They are full of facts and words directly from the mouths of some of the main players, aswell as some people you may never have heard about, but which you should have!

  17. I hope every American citizen who reads this article takes some form of action, because no matter what activists in the rest of the World do to bring these kinds of abuses to the masses, it is the US public who must stand up for other human beings the World over. It is only them that can stop this cruel military machine – which includes puppet govts/armies, along with US forces. The US administration seems intent on controlling our entire globe, for pure financial gain. Atleast we now have the internet, which appears to be the most powerful tool in the history of man for eradication of such imperialism. America Please Wake Up! For everybodies sake!

  18. Does anyone remember "LOOSE CHANGE" – the documentary that effectively showed the Bush team making plans re Iran invasion, before, during and after the war? It was too painful for many and seems to have been forgotten.

    Now M. Assange again has given us the real stuff, and he's derailed rather than heralded. This man's a hero, folks! Where is our collective conscience?

    Victoria

  19. 'Loose Change – Final Cut' was excellent, as was the 1st portion of 'Zeitgeist – The Movie' which deals with the same issues, as does 'Fabled Enemies' (which is made by some of the Loose Change peeps).

    Although I would go for '911 – In Plane Sight' which is slightly more mainstream, production-wise, and which deals with the news reporting on that day, and how it changed throughout the day, and in the subsequent weeks.

    Another great film is 'Leading To War' which does much more to expose the lead up to Iraqi invasion, entirely thru news reports. 'Kill The Messenger', is another interesting film, about Sibel Edmonds, who uncovered evidence of US govt foreknowledge of 911, and an illegal international nuclear black market.

    We got all of those films I mentioned featured here> http://www.blatantworld.com/documentaries/911_and

    Please take the time to watch atleast 1 of them. They are full of facts and words directly from the mouths of some of the main players, aswell as some people you may never have heard about, but which you should have!

  20. 'Loose Change – Final Cut' was excellent, as was the 1st portion of 'Zeitgeist – The Movie' which deals with the same issues, as does 'Fabled Enemies' (which is made by some of the Loose Change peeps).

    Although I would go for '911 – In Plane Sight' which is slightly more mainstream, production-wise, and which deals with the news reporting on that day, and how it changed throughout the day, and in the subsequent weeks.

    Another great film is 'Leading To War' which does much more to expose the lead up to Iraqi invasion, entirely thru news reports. 'Kill The Messenger', is another interesting film, about Sibel Edmonds, who uncovered evidence of US govt foreknowledge of 911, and an illegal international nuclear black market.

    We got all of those films I mentioned featured here> http://www.blatantworld.com/documentaries/911_and

    Please take the time to watch atleast 1 of them. They are full of facts and words directly from the mouths of some of the main players, aswell as some people you may never have heard about, but which you should have!

  21. I hope every American citizen who reads this article takes some form of action, because no matter what activists in the rest of the World do to bring these kinds of abuses to the masses, it is the US public who must stand up for other human beings the World over. It is only them that can stop this cruel military machine – which includes puppet govts/armies, along with US forces. The US administration seems intent on controlling our entire globe, for pure financial gain. Atleast we now have the internet, which appears to be the most powerful tool in the history of man for eradication of such imperialism. America Please Wake Up! For everybodies sake!

  22. Does anyone remember “LOOSE CHANGE” – the documentary that effectively showed the Bush team making plans re Iran invasion, before, during and after the war? It was too painful for many and seems to have been forgotten.

    Now M. Assange again has given us the real stuff, and he’s derailed rather than heralded. This man’s a hero, folks! Where is our collective conscience?

    Victoria

  23. ‘Loose Change – Final Cut’ was excellent, as was the 1st portion of ‘Zeitgeist – The Movie’ which deals with the same issues, as does ‘Fabled Enemies’ (which is made by some of the Loose Change peeps).

    Although I would go for ‘911 – In Plane Sight’ which is slightly more mainstream, production-wise, and which deals with the news reporting on that day, and how it changed throughout the day, and in the subsequent weeks.

    Another great film is ‘Leading To War’ which does much more to expose the lead up to Iraqi invasion, entirely thru news reports. ‘Kill The Messenger’, is another interesting film, about Sibel Edmonds, who uncovered evidence of US govt foreknowledge of 911, and an illegal international nuclear black market.

    We got all of those films I mentioned featured here>
    http://www.blatantworld.com/documentaries/911_and_war_on_terror.html

    Please take the time to watch atleast 1 of them. They are full of facts and words directly from the mouths of some of the main players, aswell as some people you may never have heard about, but which you should have!

  24. AnnaBannana: do you really think the cause United States invaded Irak, Afganistan, etc, is human rights? ¿Do you really think it is fighting against terrorists? jajajajaja what a joke! now realloy, how many more countries the United States will destroy (with direct violence or with indirect creation of dictatorships), and for how long the United States citizens will continue to believe that is for peace, justice and human rights ?

  25. AnnaBannana: do you really think the cause United States invaded Irak, Afganistan, etc, is human rights? ¿Do you really think it is fighting against terrorists? jajajajaja what a joke! now realloy, how many more countries the United States will destroy (with direct violence or with indirect creation of dictatorships), and for how long the United States citizens will continue to believe that is for peace, justice and human rights ?

  26. I have to say Respect from Europe because many of us, including myself from the UK have been very very upset about what has been going on.

    Sadly this has meant that the USa has not been No 1 favourite person on the planet.

    I am actually very sorry that the Brits (ie government) didn't behave better in 2003 either…

    BUT the most important thing of all is that YOU are here, saying what you're saying and in the right spirit and attitude.

    THAT is what really counts in the end so try to forget about the nightmares which we all have to face together anyway in some way or form.

    And Yes, times are tough but that's the way it goes..

  27. @jj21 Agree with you about UK govt behaviour in '03. I was living in London at the time, and my heart just sank when Colin Powell came out and pushed for the war, and similarly when Blair backed up the US stance. Those few days were a real wake up call for the watching World. The voice of reason – Powell – was talking like no-one expected him to… then for Blair to not challenge the need for the war, we all knew that it was coming!

    I remember a bit of a depressed mood in London town over those weeks, as those events unfolded. Im Irish, and the mood was the same at home. Sadness, followed by questions, followed by disgust, and finished off by an air of inevitability of a dark period incoming. And Im not so sure that the US public would even get moved enough to protest against an invasion of Iran next. There still does not appear to be widespread anger against those deadly invasions of Afghanstan and Iraq, even at this point, with all the carnage exposed, and mistruths uncovered.

    War is not precise, and sadly the only way to discover that, is if it lands on your own shores. I only hope American's dont have to experience that at some point themselves, although it may be the only way to wake them up to the realities of what war means to civilians. Every single person listed as a casualty in the Iraqi/Afghan warlogs, is a person, a neighbour, a parent, a sibling, a friend… they are people, not numbers. The mental trauma for those entire nations, will take decades to get over… and all for oil! Ridiculous!

  28. I have to say Respect from Europe because many of us, including myself from the UK have been very very upset about what has been going on.

    Sadly this has meant that the USa has not been No 1 favourite person on the planet.

    I am actually very sorry that the Brits (ie government) didn’t behave better in 2003 either…

    BUT the most important thing of all is that YOU are here, saying what you’re saying and in the right spirit and attitude.

    THAT is what really counts in the end so try to forget about the nightmares which we all have to face together anyway in some way or form.

    And Yes, times are tough but that’s the way it goes..

  29. @jj21 Agree with you about UK govt behaviour in ’03. I was living in London at the time, and my heart just sank when Colin Powell came out and pushed for the war, and similarly when Blair backed up the US stance. Those few days were a real wake up call for the watching World. The voice of reason – Powell – was talking like no-one expected him to… then for Blair to not challenge the need for the war, we all knew that it was coming!

    I remember a bit of a depressed mood in London town over those weeks, as those events unfolded. Im Irish, and the mood was the same at home. Sadness, followed by questions, followed by disgust, and finished off by an air of inevitability of a dark period incoming. And Im not so sure that the US public would even get moved enough to protest against an invasion of Iran next. There still does not appear to be widespread anger against those deadly invasions of Afghanstan and Iraq, even at this point, with all the carnage exposed, and mistruths uncovered.

    War is not precise, and sadly the only way to discover that, is if it lands on your own shores. I only hope American’s dont have to experience that at some point themselves, although it may be the only way to wake them up to the realities of what war means to civilians. Every single person listed as a casualty in the Iraqi/Afghan warlogs, is a person, a neighbour, a parent, a sibling, a friend… they are people, not numbers. The mental trauma for those entire nations, will take decades to get over… and all for oil! Ridiculous!

  30. regards from Berlin, Germany!
    Again, Wikileaks did a job that needed to be done: opening the facts – nothing more, nothing less.

    It is really frightening, when you watch the movie about the murder of the reuthers-journalist from july 12th 2007. Kids with helicopters and guns enthusiastically taking lifes without having a clue what life means and whom they kill.
    The comment of Robert Gates, US-MoD (retranslated from german):
    'There were no hints, that indicated or even suggested, that there were civilians around.' … slightly more frightening, as well as:
    'I think it should not have any lasting consequences.'
    … another 'nice' quote, but i cant remember where i got it from: 'Yes, we can!'

    But really freaking frightening is, that they all do it for God, Allah or whomelse ever, but mostly NEVER for their own responsibility.

    Is the US-Government – as well as the german – still related to the responsibility of its institution or just to some instructions of lobbyism?
    That could be the excuse: haunted by obligations trying to keep the shit inside John – 'It's not our fault – we have to care bout what we got!'
    In that case its just natural to say: opening 'some' facts to those who can't see the whole truth is high treason. Christian (!!!) Whiton, adviser in US-Foreignministry from 2003 to 2009 votes for classifying Assange and the Wikileak-staff as 'enemy combatants' – 'sigh' still need Guantanamo!
    Finally, Nick Clegg, british Vice-Premiere, said: 'We can blame the way these leaks came about, but the quality of these allegations is very serious.'
    Does that mean, there is hope?

    When I was a kid, my mom told me:
    You are always responsible for what you do!
    Even if this didn't verified totally in adult life, one thing she said did:
    The Truth will come out!

    The causer always charges the chronicler, which causes another injustice.
    How about that: the causer doesn't cause.
    That would cause this mathematical term: -1 = -2
    To me is sounds pretty logical. How about you?

  31. regards from Berlin, Germany!
    Again, Wikileaks did a job that needed to be done: opening the facts – nothing more, nothing less.

    It is really frightening, when you watch the movie about the murder of the reuthers-journalist from july 12th 2007. Kids with helicopters and guns enthusiastically taking lifes without having a clue what life means and whom they kill.
    The comment of Robert Gates, US-MoD (retranslated from german):
    ‘There were no hints, that indicated or even suggested, that there were civilians around.’ … slightly more frightening, as well as:
    ‘I think it should not have any lasting consequences.’
    … another ‘nice’ quote, but i cant remember where i got it from: ‘Yes, we can!’

    But really freaking frightening is, that they all do it for God, Allah or whomelse ever, but mostly NEVER for their own responsibility.

    Is the US-Government – as well as the german – still related to the responsibility of its institution or just to some instructions of lobbyism?
    That could be the excuse: haunted by obligations trying to keep the shit inside John – ‘It’s not our fault – we have to care bout what we got!’
    In that case its just natural to say: opening ‘some’ facts to those who can’t see the whole truth is high treason. Christian (!!!) Whiton, adviser in US-Foreignministry from 2003 to 2009 votes for classifying Assange and the Wikileak-staff as ‘enemy combatants’ – ‘sigh’ still need Guantanamo!
    Finally, Nick Clegg, british Vice-Premiere, said: ‘We can blame the way these leaks came about, but the quality of these allegations is very serious.’
    Does that mean, there is hope?

    When I was a kid, my mom told me:
    You are always responsible for what you do!
    Even if this didn’t verified totally in adult life, one thing she said did:
    The Truth will come out!

    The causer always charges the chronicler, which causes another injustice.
    How about that: the causer doesn’t cause.
    That would cause this mathematical term: -1 = -2
    To me is sounds pretty logical. How about you?

  32. All of this stuff boils down to the Law of Unintended Consequences.

    When people raged about too much military spending, they reduced the size of the military. When the media and the public raged about how many troops were being sent overseas, they reduced the number of troops.

    The unintended consequence is that they sent mercenaries which don't count in the troop count and have very little accountability to anyone.

    General Shinseki said that the military action that the public wanted (remember back to the original invasion, the majority of the public supported it) required 475,000 troops which was a huge percentage of the reduced military power of the US. He was fired because the media jumped on that number. The US sent, what was it? 35,000 before they started ramping it up to 75,000? I believe that Saddam's Army numbered around a million to keep him in power.

    Keeping the numbers low required these mercenaries (getting paid about 5 times as much as a soldier) to head over to augment. They are under no command, they just do what they are paid to do no matter who gets hurt along the way. The unintended consequence of protests and pressure not to send more troops.

    Allowing the media and the public to dictate parts of a military action has led to the lawlessness and unneeded violence, death, and suffering over there. Everyone knows how well mob mentality works, that's why any organized crowd has leaders. That's why we elect leaders.

    I thought it was going to be a mistake to invade Iraq. Allowing the media to dictate how it was done was an even bigger mistake and continues to cause death and suffering. Of course, we all know that the news makes no money by reporting peace and contentment.

    Shinseki said it would only take 50,000 troops to invade Iraq but added the other 425,000 to the total as the amount required to prevent widespread violence after the invasion. I don't think he feels satisfied in knowing that he was right.

    How violent does one person have to be to subdue a maniac? Very! How violent do 10 people have to be to subdue that same maniac? Not very much at all. It's the same prinicipal that led to the killing in Iraq.

  33. All of this stuff boils down to the Law of Unintended Consequences.

    When people raged about too much military spending, they reduced the size of the military. When the media and the public raged about how many troops were being sent overseas, they reduced the number of troops.

    The unintended consequence is that they sent mercenaries which don’t count in the troop count and have very little accountability to anyone.

    General Shinseki said that the military action that the public wanted (remember back to the original invasion, the majority of the public supported it) required 475,000 troops which was a huge percentage of the reduced military power of the US. He was fired because the media jumped on that number. The US sent, what was it? 35,000 before they started ramping it up to 75,000? I believe that Saddam’s Army numbered around a million to keep him in power.

    Keeping the numbers low required these mercenaries (getting paid about 5 times as much as a soldier) to head over to augment. They are under no command, they just do what they are paid to do no matter who gets hurt along the way. The unintended consequence of protests and pressure not to send more troops.

    Allowing the media and the public to dictate parts of a military action has led to the lawlessness and unneeded violence, death, and suffering over there. Everyone knows how well mob mentality works, that’s why any organized crowd has leaders. That’s why we elect leaders.

    I thought it was going to be a mistake to invade Iraq. Allowing the media to dictate how it was done was an even bigger mistake and continues to cause death and suffering. Of course, we all know that the news makes no money by reporting peace and contentment.

    Shinseki said it would only take 50,000 troops to invade Iraq but added the other 425,000 to the total as the amount required to prevent widespread violence after the invasion. I don’t think he feels satisfied in knowing that he was right.

    How violent does one person have to be to subdue a maniac? Very! How violent do 10 people have to be to subdue that same maniac? Not very much at all. It’s the same prinicipal that led to the killing in Iraq.

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