The
Belmont Club posted an article about a widely linked story. Their article was also widely linked, as they argued against the crippling effect of the current rules of engagement. Mainly, that the Iraqi's are targeting our hospitals while we hold our soldiers to near-saintly standard. While reading their article (the original
article is well-worth reading if you haven't already), this jumped out at me.
In the middle of the mayhem the first mortar round hit about 100 to 200 meters away. Everyone started shouting to get the wounded into the hospital which is solid concrete and much safer than being in the open. Soon, the next mortar hit quite a bit closer than the first as they "walked" their rounds toward their intended target...us.
I've
complained before about the fucked up nature of "transformation", which seems to involve transforming the military from a fighting force into a bunch of pork projects. One of the things I didn't bring up then that bothers me about "transformation" is the hollywoodishness of it. Any aspect of military life that is unlikely to make for a good action film is being cut from the military. All of the technology and experience developed over centuries of warfighting is being chucked out to favor whatever looks cool.
If you disagree, feel free to tell me why there wasn't any counterbattery fire.
Goe, thinks Rumsfeld is afraid a terrorist might get hurt.
