The Haditha killings (also called the Haditha incident or the Haditha massacre) refers to the incident where 24 Iraqi men, women and children were killed on November 19, 2005 in Haditha, a city in the western Iraq province of Al Anbar. At least 15 of those killed were noncombatant civilians and all were killed by a group of United States Marines[1]. It has been alleged that the killings were retribution for the attack on a convoy of United States Marines with an improvised explosive device that killed Lance Corporal Miguel Terrazas.[2]
A Marine Corps communique initially reported that 15 civilians were killed by the bomb's blast and eight insurgents were subsequently killed when the Marines returned fire against those attacking the convoy. However, evidence uncovered by the media contradicted the Marines' account.[3] The Time magazine reporter's questions prompted the U.S. military to open an investigation into the incident. The investigation claimed it found evidence that "supports accusations that U.S. Marines deliberately shot civilians, including unarmed women and children", according to an anonymous Pentagon official.[4] On December 21, 2006, eight Marines from 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines were charged in connection with the incident.[5][6] As of June, 2008, charges against seven of the eight Marines had been dropped.[7]
In the course of Article 32 hearings, conflicting testimony has been presented, some of it rebutting the case made by prosecutors and widely cited in the media. The investigating officer has told the prosecution so far, "The account you want me to believe does not support unpremeditated murder." He conceded that the central issue was who is to be believed and that he was disinclined to recommend a trial when he thought it was unlikely any Iraqi would agree to come to the U.S. to testify. [8] On 9 August, LtGen James Mattis dropped the charges against Lance Cpl. Justin Sharratt, who had been accused of murder, and against Capt. Randy Stone, accused of failing to investigate the incident.[9] On 23 August, the investigating officer recommended charges against Lance Cpl. Stephen Tatum be dropped as well[10] but on October 19th, his commanding officer decided the charges should be lowered to involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and aggravated assault.[11]
On October 3, 2007, the Article 32 hearing investigating officer recommended that Staff Sgt. Wuterich be tried for negligent homicide in deaths of two women and five children, and that charges of murder be dropped.[12


How interesting

There is not a single Iraqi hockey player in the entire world. Screw them.

Not true. They pointed out the Marines story didn't hold water

I say sue. Murtha should have kept his mouth shut.

Based on false testimony, hence, it was a false report. Time magazine should be sued for $500 million.

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The Marine Corp provided documentation that proves Murtha lied about being briefed by the Marine Corp.
Then Murtha makes up these lies.

No one should be allowed to do these things.

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No! That's not true. Just because they couldn't hold a trial with some of the key witnesses doesn't mean something didn't happen and that that something wasn't covered up

I suppose you think OJ is innocent?

... but WHY would a general (retired) turn on troops like that?

Being it started from an interpretive story just makes it worse!


there is ONLY one right thing to do ... you should stand with your troops ...

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"Don't Bother Visiting http://Politics.TheBasicsAbout.com - It's Too Different For You!"

This is what occurs in an increasingly Political Military.

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There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream.
~Archibald MacLeish

OJ?
Dayum, you guys are very desperate.

The hits keep on comin

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