[UTHZzJ6f]

Hating your enemy is understandable but something I feel is more suited for jihadists and/or ideological fanatics to do. As professional military in wartime it is our job to kill the enemy and it is his job to attempt to do the same to us. Ever see those Iwo Jima memorial gatherings they have on Suribachi where the Marine veterans and the Japanese vets (Most of whom were killing or attempting to kill each other in brutal fighting a lot worse than anything this war has seen) hug each other and break down in tears? If this documentary is a potential asset to give us an inside look at insurgent motivations and their firsthand reasons for fighting, I am all for it. All wars eventually end, and when this one staggers across the finish line those insurgents, assuming their claims of patriotic love for their country are genuine, are going to be the ones to have to rebuild that society with their peers, since we all know the US won't be willing to do it.

[sposicke]

Mustafa, I seriously doubt our sentiments will ever reach those levels, what with old enemies hugging one another. I have to agree with Odin - we used to be trained to HATE our enemy but with the 60's and all the political-correctness vomiting forth these days from our politicians and media parasites, it's no wonder our society is confused about the war and our intentions. Killing terrorists with kindness? Winning their hearts and minds? We tried that mess in Vietnam, only it failed horribly then, and certainly isn't working now either. Our forces have one armed tied behind their backs when they can't outwardly show their contempt for the enemy.

As for Odin, he has every right to feel the disgust and outrage for the enemy we fight. He's helped maintain our freedom literally with his blood sweat and tears. Nobody has the right to talk trash about our vets in my opinion.

[education]

Mustafa, I seriously doubt our sentiments will ever reach those levels, what with old enemies hugging one another.

It has already happened in Anbar province with the Sunni sheiks and the Marines. Not to mention a good chunk of the IP's/IA's are probably former insurgents or were members of Saddam's military during or prior to the invasion.

[ttiokjbnhjjillp]

I really can't imagine fighting someone without hating them. Even the "freedom fighters" or "Terrorists". Its all the same to me, if you kill an American you are my enemy and I HATE you.

Allowing hatred of the enemy to become the driving motivation, rather than accomplishing the mission or protecting your Marines, is what leads to war crimes. You don't have to hate someone to put a bullet in him during combat. You do have to hate him in order to rape his wife and murder his kids.

[Stoniaanapy]

I rather kill a thousand of them for every one American life that is taken by them.

Do the math -

1. One American is killed by one "terrorist".

2. Americans kill 1,000 of "them" including the "terrorist" for each American killed.

3. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to recruit 10 people for each "terrorist" killed.

4. There are now 10 "terrorists" to replace the killed one. (A total of 10 "terrorists".)

5. One American is killed by each of the (newly created) "terrorists".

6. Americans kill 1,000 of "them" including the "terrorists" for each American killed.

7. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to recruit 10 people for each "terrorist" killed.

8. There are now 10 "terrorists" to replace each of the killed ones. (A total of 100 "terrorists".)

9. One American is killed by each of the (newly created) "terrorists".


10. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to recruit 10 people for each "terrorist" killed.

11. There are now 10 "terrorists" to replace each of the killed ones. (A total of 1,000 "terrorists".)

12. One American is killed by each of the (newly created) "terrorists".

13. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to ...

Maybe that is wrong but that is war. Remember the fire bombings of Dresden in WW2?

Yes, and spectacularly ineffective it was too.

Nuclear bombs dropped on two japanese cities?

After the Japanese government had told the government of the United States of America that it was willing to surrender - provided that the Emperor was allowed to retain his tradional place in government?

Better them than me or my fellow warfighters.

Unfortuately if you create "the other side" faster than you are killing them it isn't going to work out that way.

[Queuerriptota]

Guys, there is no need to get sarcastic here. We have hurt and dissension all over the world.
The american military has lost alot of good men and women in this latest "war". I understand the feelings of hatred towards the people responsible for killing our fellow soldiers and airman.
But they have the same feelings about us. We have killed many of them, so you are both right in a way we can't just go over there and "bomb the crap out of them" (to put it in plain words), that would only lead to more retaliation. We cannot also just sit back and do nothing. So what is the anwser? i don't know. Start asking around, but try to do it with an open mind to what other people are telling you. Don't just tell them your opinion and not listen to what they say, you might not likeit, but listen anyway, they might have a different view on this thatn what you already know.

[sydramySweame]

All I can find out is that the documentary hasn't been released yet. According to an interview with the makers of this documentary, it intended to give us info on how the enemies in Iraq work, their tactics, and their motivations. In that regard it may be a useful thing to watch - as a way to better understand the enemy and so better able to defeat them.

Also, I know why you call them terrorists, but these enemies appear to be directing their attacks and IEDs towards US soldiers and Marines. So in that regard they are classical definition of insurgents. They aren't willy-nilly bombing citizen neighborhoods, they are intending to hit military convoys and military patrols.

They are NOT insurgents nor are they soldiers, they are cowards and terrorists! "Hit?" Are you joking? To plant an IED and then detonate it when a convoy is wheeling by...that IS NOT war...it's terror! The good ole' liberal press stated that Hamas made a "strategic military maneuver" by moving back from the advancing Israeli Army by moving in to the populated areas? OMG! They were making a cowardly retreat, hiding amongst women and children. These people are terrorists, plain and simple...they are cowards. I know this is an older thread, but I just joined! One does not UNDERSTAND one's enemy, one hates him and KILLS him!! That's just my opinion!
Shalom! Sandy

[CFstantony]

Allowing hatred of the enemy to become the driving motivation, rather than accomplishing the mission or protecting your Marines, is what leads to war crimes. You don't have to hate someone to put a bullet in him during combat. You do have to hate him in order to rape his wife and murder his kids.

Rape has absolutey nothing t odo with HATE...it is not a sex crime or a hate crime...it is a crime of violence. Someone who rapes a total stranger doesn't hate that person. It is a crime of control. Usually the same with murder! If we continue to be so concerned about being "politically correct" in or fight on terror and want to love and embrace our enemies, we will soon ALL be praying to Allah!
Shalom, Sandy ~Ex Combat MP and CID agent ~

[irrehoobe]

Do the math -

1. One American is killed by one "terrorist".

2. Americans kill 1,000 of "them" including the "terrorist" for each American killed.

3. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to recruit 10 people for each "terrorist" killed.

4. There are now 10 "terrorists" to replace the killed one. (A total of 10 "terrorists".)

5. One American is killed by each of the (newly created) "terrorists".

6. Americans kill 1,000 of "them" including the "terrorists" for each American killed.

7. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to recruit 10 people for each "terrorist" killed.

8. There are now 10 "terrorists" to replace each of the killed ones. (A total of 100 "terrorists".)

9. One American is killed by each of the (newly created) "terrorists".


10. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to recruit 10 people for each "terrorist" killed.

11. There are now 10 "terrorists" to replace each of the killed ones. (A total of 1,000 "terrorists".)

12. One American is killed by each of the (newly created) "terrorists".

13. Out of the surviving friends and families of the 1,000 killed the "terrorists" are able to ...

Yes, and spectacularly ineffective it was too.
After the Japanese government had told the government of the United States of America that it was willing to surrender - provided that the Emperor was allowed to retain his tradional place in government?
Unfortuately if you create "the other side" faster than you are killing them it isn't going to work out that way.

Hmmmm then what would you like to see us do? Shall we invite then in to our homes? As Golda Meir said in 1969, "We shall never have peace in Israel until they love their own children more than they hate one of ours!" What part of 'these terrorists want to kill us and our way of life do you people NOT understand!!!'

[Indessasp]

Then what should we do almighty and all knowing?

Hey Odin...I don't know if you are still around, but I know how you feel. I'm Jewish, have lived in Israel, was a Combat MP and worked as a CID agent. I KNOW what's going on here! It's sad that others, do not!
Shalom, Sandy

[Pharmaciest]

**edit** apologies for raising the dead...didn't read the timestamps when I posted.

They are NOT insurgents nor are they soldiers, they are cowards and terrorists! "Hit?" Are you joking? To plant an IED and then detonate it when a convoy is wheeling by...that IS NOT war...it's terror! The good ole' liberal press stated that Hamas made a "strategic military maneuver" by moving back from the advancing Israeli Army by moving in to the populated areas? OMG! They were making a cowardly retreat, hiding amongst women and children. These people are terrorists, plain and simple...they are cowards. I know this is an older thread, but I just joined! One does not UNDERSTAND one's enemy, one hates him and KILLS him!! That's just my opinion!
Shalom! Sandy

What do you think dropping a bomb from 30,000 feet is to people who have no Air Force? Do you think they might consider that as cowardly as planting a IED? What about Claymore mines, are those not, in effect, IEDs?

Attacking a military force is war. Just because it's a new kind of war (IEDs) and we're not prepared for it doesn't mean it's not war. If anyone deserves blame, it's Rummy et al for saying the Iraqis would love us, we didn't need armored vehicles/troops, and that we didn't need 500,000 troops to get the job done.

Cowardly retreat, lol...one man's cowardly retreat is another man's "march in another direction!". Hiding among civilians is cowardly, but are you seriously suggesting that they should fight the American military, the most powerful military in the world, in a wide open field, with no cover/concealment, equipment, or tactics? Who in their right mind would do that?

Given that, it makes sense that they retreat into the populace (who they might not even like, what with that whole Sunni/Shiite split). I'm not saying it's "right", but it's what any force unable to directly fight another force would do. It's what we would do if Russia/North Korea/China invaded the US (after military on military conflict subsided, much like Iraq).

[machpamb]

Killing terrorists with kindness? Winning their hearts and minds? We tried that mess in Vietnam, only it failed horribly then, and certainly isn't working now either. Our forces have one armed tied behind their backs when they can't outwardly show their contempt for the enemy..

Agreed. IMO when a military is hamstrun in their capacity to deal death to their foe, they have lost.

but they kill anybody and anything they "consider" the enemy. Hey.. your my enemy!.. DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE DIE

Hiding among civilians is cowardly, but are you seriously suggesting that they should fight the American military, the most powerful military in the world, in a wide open field, with no cover/concealment, equipment, or tactics? Who in their right mind would do that? There is a whapping big difference between using cover and consealment, and using civilians as shields.