Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

jgrindal · **Collateral Murder -** 04-05-2010, 03:04 PM

Interesting WikiLeaks things going on - big release of a secret video of 2 Reuters reporters and a handful of civilians getting killed in Iraq. If you ever had any doubts, war is hell.

WikiLeaks VIDEO Exposes 2007 'Collateral Murder' In Iraq

and

http://collateralmurder.com/

danchez · 04-05-2010, 03:30 PM

WOW!!!! I am speechless.... I hurt inside watching that video... and very thankful that I never had to go to war...

sldi · 04-06-2010, 07:29 AM

I was truly sickened by this...civilian casualties in the heat of battle can be awful, but this was just outright murder.

We can NEVER win over there with this type of stuff going on, and with a government that works to cover it up, are we that much better than Sadam?

I feel even sorrier for the many good soldiers over there that have to carry on knowing that a few bad apples are ruining it all.

Jeff_Green · 04-06-2010, 07:36 AM

Exactly right, Casualties of war. It's sad that innocents do, in fact die, but that is part of war. Mistakes happen.

It is nice to see that some people are mindless enough to compare our country and its government to that of a dictatorial regime in which it would kill its own citizens for civil disobedience.

ldelacruz · 04-06-2010, 08:16 AM

I am not sure if war falls under the political ban but if it does please remove. It is really ashame that so many innocent people have to die including soldiers over someones greed and ignorance!

I didn't watch it just read your comments above.

Some Idiot · 04-06-2010, 08:21 AM

watched for a few minutes and had to shut it down, this is not a innocent casualty of war, this is murder ....

Texasdave · 04-06-2010, 08:29 AM

I watched the video three times and can only say that if anyone considers these pilots bad apples has no clue about what they are talking about. I am sure they also never served a day in the military. There is no way these pilots would have shot the vehicle if there was a clue that children were in the vehicles. Also they radioed in and got commands OK to open fire. They also did this more than once. This was a tragic mistake but it was a mistake, and a mistake on both sides. This is war not a video game, real death and real bullets. There was a guy carrying a RPG and others armed who I am sure would have had no problem killing the pilots or any of our troops. I am sorry to see anyone in the press or a bystander hurt but they knew full well the risk they were taking by being with these people. It is too easy to Monday morning quarterback this. Hind-site is always 20/20 and you can not recall the bullets.

mdparthum · 04-06-2010, 08:56 AM

Well put David. I agree, war is not pretty and being a photographer in a combat zone is not without risks. I watched the video and it is extremely graphic and so are the images of 9/11 almost ten years later. The photographer does, in my opinion, look like he has a weapon by his actions. Too bad because from comments made elsewhere he was a bright young photographer. It wasn't murder, it was an accident made in war.

dryicerx · 04-06-2010, 08:56 AM

The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic.

Src

jtriron · 04-06-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texasdave

I watched the video three times and can only say that if anyone considers these pilots bad apples has no clue about what they are talking about. I am sure they also never served a day in the military. There is no way these pilots would have shot the vehicle if there was a clue that children were in the vehicles. Also they radioed in and got commands OK to open fire. They also did this more than once. This was a tragic mistake but it was a mistake, and a mistake on both sides. This is war not a video game, real death and real bullets. There was a guy carrying a RPG and others armed who I am sure would have had no problem killing the pilots or any of our troops. I am sorry to see anyone in the press or a bystander hurt but they knew full well the risk they were taking by being with these people. It is too easy to Monday morning quarterback this. Hind-site is always 20/20 and you can not recall the bullets.

Well said David.

jgrindal · 04-06-2010, 11:37 AM

My problem with this isn't necessarily in the action taken by those involved, but by the coverup by the DoD. If you make a mistake, just say "Here's what happened, it's unfortunate, but war is hell. Let's move on."

Instead, the DoD went out of their way to suppress what really happened.

Deception is never the answer.

DSL_PWR · 04-06-2010, 11:38 AM

Very well said Jeff and David.

DSL_PWR · 04-06-2010, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgrindal

My problem with this isn't necessarily in the action taken by those involved, but by the coverup by the DoD. If you make a mistake, just say "Here's what happened, it's unfortunate, but war is hell. Let's move on."

Instead, the DoD went out of their way to suppress what really happened.

Deception is never the answer.

It is not the cover up that most people fear, it is actually knowing the truth.

Trust me, you don't want to know the truth.

jtriron · 04-06-2010, 11:53 AM

If I, (a white male) go into the 5Th ward in Houston at night and start photographing crack dealers doing business / how long do i live????
My point is if your a hostile environment S%$# happens

Jeff_Green · 04-06-2010, 05:37 PM

I was finally able to see the video and I feel that they honestly did what they felt they had to do. When I saw the guy with the "camera" peaking around the corner with the long lens pointing towards the copter I can totally imagine thinking that was an RPG being pointed at them.

As far as a coverup, I am sure the military would rather Iraqi's, Afghani's, Pakistani's not have something to blame us for. But feel free to blame our government.