!!!!!!!!!!!

[OTTOL]

I'm no fan of the US war in Iraq, by any means, but.............

defence forces should seriously rethink their policies on target recognition, there was no set of coordinates or vital confirmationjust the pilot saying I see it and he goes for it.

.............There's over two thousand people compacted at the bottom of a huge pit in the center of Manhattan, that would probably express the same concern regarding the other sides policies, if they could.  I'm not so ignorant, that I don't realize that this is a different conflict, BUT the reality is, combat is not nice or clean. And that's the reason I'm clanging the "remember 9/11" bell. Again, I'm not praising the current policy towards Iraq. In fact, I think it's a complete waste of time, money, lives, and most importantly, political world opinion. BUT, the US isn't alone when it comes to violence without concern for the impact on innocents.  

[Katahu]

I really really want to find a job where I can help people in need I can't go on jsut thinking of myself in life forever.

I understand. I also don't like sitting on my seat watching the news on a big situation and, at the same time, knowing that I can't do anything about the situation right now.

We humans are a very dangerous and unpredictable species. Believe it or not, we are a threat to ourselves than we are to mother nature. I don't know why. Maybe it's all part of life. You see common animals battle against their own kind [ex: two dogs fighting over a piece of meat or for dominence].

That's all I can say, for now.

PS: I hope this topic does not go into a political flare up. Don't worry PeteTLUK, I don't think you made this thread to start such a thing.

[chomp_rock]

War is a fact of humanity. Unfortunately as long as humans exist there will always be killing of innocents and war.

[Katahu]

I think that the purpose of war is to keep the human population down and most of us probably never knew about it.

We humans are not only dangerous, we also can't control our habit of wasting natural resources. Maybe that's the purpose of war. I don't know. I may be wrong, though.

[OTTOL]

PS: I hope this topic does not go into a political flare up. Don't worry PeteTLUK, I don't think you made this thread to start such a thing.

I don't see this as a possible end result.
I think any LEVEL HEADED, decent human being should show concern over the sight of people "dead and dying".  And just for the record, my reply was not intended as a agressive retort.

[Sock]

I think we are just far to smart and far to complicated for our own good.  Our imaginations are quite large also, which isn't necessarily good.  Too many things to dream up and imagine, which will always contradict with someone else's.  And our violent nature will flair up...Because we need to defend our ideas.  Which kind of says we are intolerant...I can't help but find flaws.

As for animals fighting each other.  Yes they do, but they know when to stop.  We are the only species that I can think of that willingly kills our own people, for no good reason.

Sock

[Smoke2much]

I don't see it as aggressive Ottol.  PeteTLUK expressed his natural disgust at witnessing humans in pain.  He added a comment about the way things are done.  No problems.  

You simply stated why the US forces are there in the first place, quite elequontly I feel.

Will

[OTTOL]

Thanks Will, I just wanted to make sure that my intent was understood. A couple weeks ago, a POTENTIAL, U.S. vs World- topic came up, and I found humor in someone's(to remain nameless) bold comments. It was ASSUMED that I was "lashing out" against anti-Americanism. In actuallity, I found most of the comments made by the Americans involved, to be simple-minded and immature. I'd rather not relive the experience!  :)

[Smoke2much]

LOL, it happens.  That's the problem of communication via the printed word.  If you can't see the look on the speakers face or hear the intonation in their voice all sorts of trouble can crop up.

Will

[C]

IThe program contained some seriously graphic content (including actual dead and dying people some in a very bad way)

I think that the US defence forces should seriously rethink their policies on target recognition, there was no set of coordinates or vital confirmationjust the pilot saying I see it and he goes for it.

Firstly, the images of those killed or dying being shown is a bit worrying, but I didn't see the programme so I don't know how bad they were (a few weeks ago I saw footage of a US soldier being dragged through city streets in Somalia, and the TV company didn't even bother to pixellate his face.

Secondly, target recognition is a VERY serious problem (not just for the US). UK casualties at have been in double figures due to "blue on blue" incidents in both Gulf conflicts, and I believe some Canadians were lost in similar circumstances in Afghanistan.

Charlie

[C]

Gulf Conflict 1)

Convoy attached by A-10 , 9 infantry men killed, only land based UK casualties in Desert Storm

Gulf Conflict 2)

1 x Tornado GR4, 2 RAF Officers killed
1 x News reporter
2 x Soldiers (I believe in the incident for which Trooper Chris Finney received the George Cross)

13 in total...


Charlie

[OTTOL]

Although we appreciate your input Charlie, I think I speak for everyone involved thus far, in saying that we don't need to turn this into a competition of "who's the bad guy".   Pete was distressed over something he saw on TV, and felt the need to share it with us.
And I'll say the same thing I always say about this subject. Take a step outside, walk down the street, say hello to your neighbor. In other words, take a look at what's around you right now, and you'll see that the world is mostly good. Just don't spend too much time in front of the TV, or you may be convinced that the end is near Pete.