Your Centcom Blood Lust Channel Is Now Available

Up until this latest social media spree, CENTCOM’s YouTube channel was the kind of military propaganda we’re used to—recruitment-style videos and smiley troop fare like “Faces of Freedom,” featuring a sergeant and his bomb-sniffing dog. It hasn’t been quite up to the level of the Israeli Defense Forces’ social media PR blitz, but these new videos [showing US airstrikes in Iraq], and the detailed descriptions of strikes (being compiled here by journalist Chris Woods), seem to mark a new effort.

The quick release of stats and imagery may reflect the need to drum up public support for the campaign against the Islamic State. CENTCOM’s public affairs office declined an interview on their newfound media enthusiasm, saying only that there was a lot of media interest in Iraq and they know we—the press, that is—want images.

[...]

Over the past year or so there’s been an increasing demand for transparency in the secretive drone war in Pakistan, Yemen, and Somalia from former administration officials, rights groups, congress, and journalists. But these shots of grainy slow-motion explosions in Iraq are more propaganda than transparency, and the kill videos are tough to take when one considers that they are being deployed against a group that’s gotten the world’s attention through horrific videotaped executions.

[...]

If the U.S. continues the bombardment, it’s almost certain that the same questions will eventually arise. And if there are civilians killed, its unlikely CENTCOM will tweet about the videos.

  The Intercept

Unless they get enough American support for it, that is.

And the world becomes more barbaric by the day.

The United States military says it’s launched airstrikes around Iraq's Haditha Dam to prevent the area from being captured by Islamic State militants.

The dam in western Iraq’s Anbar Province, a major source of water and electrical power, is currently in control of the Iraqis, but there have been attempts by the militants to take over the vital facility.

The Sunday airstrikes on the area around the dam were carried out at the request of the Iraqi government, according to US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, who is currently on a trip to Georgia's capital, Tbilisi.

  RT

 Yes, that Haditha.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Not Ninety Days; Not Even One

Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich won't serve any jail time for his role in the slayings of 24 Iraqi civilians in 2005, a military judge said Tuesday.

The judge, Lt. Col. David Jones, said he had planned to sentence Wuterich to 90 days in the brig, but his hands were tied by a plea agreement that the defendant reached with prosecutors on Monday.

Under the deal, Wuterich, 31, pleaded guilty to negligent dereliction of duty and received a reduction in his Marine Corps rank to private. The agreement was approved by the convening authority over the military court-martial, Camp Pendleton Lt. Gen. Thomas Waldhauser.

[...]

"I sit here today to take responsibility for whatever measures my words or directions contributed to the tragedy that resulted in the deaths," he said.

  NC Times

Really? How?

Politicians and other crooks who’ve been busted for moral, ethical and legal failures all seem to parrot that phrase: “I take full responsibility.” As though admitting wrongdoing is synonymous with taking responsibility.

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.

Haditha: There Will Be No Justice

Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich, 31, the commander of a group of Marines whose other members have been exonerated, entered his plea as part of a deal with military prosecutors in which more serious charges of involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault were dismissed.

[...]

The victims included 10 women and children killed at point-blank range. Six people were killed in one house, most shot in the head, including women and children huddled in a bedroom.

[...]

The other seven Marines charged in the case have been exonerated through various legal rulings.

[...]

Wuterich now faces a maximum sentence of three months of confinement, forfeiture of two-thirds of his pay for three months and a reduction in rank when he is sentenced on Tuesday at the Camp Pendleton Marine Corps base north of San Diego, a base spokesman said.

  alJazeera

I had a slightly insane discussion the other day with a winger who wanted urgently for me to understand that the Haditha massacre is the kind of thing that happens in war. Whereas I was trying to point out to him that the Haditha massacre is the kind of thing that happens in war. -- Molly Ivins RIP

UPDATE 1/24 9:00pm

The Last Chance at Haditha Justice

Well, actually, even if they convict, it won't be justice. He may be responsible for the men who committed the crimes, but they were responsible for the crimes.*

[Staff Sergeant Frank] Wuterich, who had no previous combat experience, was the squad leader who sent his men into a village to hunt for insurgents following a roadside bombing that killed a fellow Marine and injured two other US troops.

Nineteen people were killed inside houses, along with five men who pulled up near the scene in a car, triggering one of the most controversial criminal cases involving the US military during the nearly nine-year-long Iraq war.

[...]

Military prosecutors said [...] that the Marines initiated a bloody three-hour rampage to avenge the death of their comrade.

The victims included 10 women or children killed at point-blank range.

[...]

Wuterich formally entered “not guilty” pleas to all charges, including counts of dereliction of duty and assault. If convicted of all the offenses at the month-long trial, he could be sentenced to more than 150 years in prison.

But his lead lawyer said he was confident the Iraq veteran would be exonerated.

  Raw Story

Yeah, I think that’s a safe bet.

Wuterich remains on active duty at Camp Pendleton while awaiting resolution of his case.

” I had a slightly insane discussion the other day with a winger who wanted urgently for me to understand that the Haditha massacre is the kind of thing that happens in war. Whereas I was trying to point out to him that the Haditha massacre is the kind of thing that happens in war.”

-- Molly Ivins RIP

*Wikipedia

On April 17, 2007, the Marine Corps dropped all charges against Sgt. Sanick P. De la Cruz in exchange for his testimony. Seven other Marines involved in the incident have also been granted immunity.[53]

On August 9, 2007, all charges against Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt and Capt. Randy Stone were dropped.[40] On October 19, Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt's commanding officer decided the charges should be lowered to involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.[10]

On September 18, 2007, all charges against Captain Lucas McConnell were dropped in exchange for immunity and his cooperation with the investigation.[54]

On March 28, 2008, all charges against LCpl. Stephen Tatum were dropped.[55]

On June 17, 2008, all charges against Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani were dismissed by the military judge citing unlawful command influence.[13] The Marine Corps appealed that ruling in 2008.[56] On March 17, 2009, a military appeals court upheld the dismissal of the war crimes charges against Chessani.[57] Facing an administrative Board of Inquiry, it also found no misconduct and recommended that Chessani be allowed to retire without loss of rank.[58]

On June 5, 2008, 1stLt Andrew Grayson was acquitted of all charges stemming from the Haditha incident. He had been charged with deleting photos of the deceased Iraqis in order to obstruct the investigation. He had also been charged with failing to notify the Marine Corps administrative chain of command of his legal status when his term of service was expired and he was discharged from the Marine Corps. [59]