Article

2010-04-05 Afghanistan

US special forces 'tried to cover-up' botched Khataba raid in Afghanistan

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Posted by gorb 2010-04-05 01:46|| || Front Page|| [1 views ] Top

#1 With stories like this it is important to look at a number of factors:

1) Who is writing the story, and the writer's sources
2) What exactly does the story say
3) Read what the text say actually says.

The story text is a mess to begin with. The main sources the writer uses are the head of the household with with victims and anonymous Afghan officials. No telling who is align with whom and to get the story out the writer probably disregarded those "bright lines."

I found it odd that on a "raid" US forces fired 11 shots, which if accurate is an amazing economy of firepower. Apparently the writer failed to enquire if US forces normally carry alchohol with them into combat.

My guess would be the writer did not ask the question, apparently sensing his question would not have been a welcomed one.

If I wanted to pick apart the story further, it would be easy enough. Just suffice it to say the writer goes to some lengths to avoid the appearance of an agenda and to some extent he/she is successful. But, there is an agenda there, we just don't know what it is.

Posted by badanov 2010-04-05 07:00|| 2010-04-05 07:00|| Front Page Top

#2 Afghan investigators believe that Mr Zahir was carrying an AK47 and wanted to avenge his brother's killers. The women were clustered around him, trying to pull him inside the house, when the second US gunman opened fire, killing all four of them.

For 5 bonus points, identify the flaw in Mr. Zahir's decision making process.

Posted by Besoeker 2010-04-05 07:07|| 2010-04-05 07:07|| Front Page Top

#3 I am so glad the MSM solved this vexing whodunnit. NOT! Seems like there is a rush to judgment here by the press. Best to suspend judgment for awhile until more is known if it can be. In this world of PC, it is difficult to fight a war without getting killed yourself.

Posted by JohnQC 2010-04-05 09:38|| 2010-04-05 09:38|| Front Page Top

#4 Afghan investigators believe that Mr Zahir was carrying an AK47 and wanted to avenge his brother's killers. The women were clustered around him, trying to pull him inside the house, when the second US gunman opened fire, killing all four of them.

Translation: Zahir was hiding behind pregnant women while firing at US soldiers.

(If any US forces were even present.)

Posted by Rob Crawford 2010-04-05 11:12|| 2010-04-05 11:12|| Front Page Top

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