Allegations of war crimes against civilians at Haditha are being taken seriously by the Pentagon, with the unprecedented dispatch of top Marine Corps leadership to Iraq to brief troops on their duties to civilians being some indication of the profile of this investigation. The Pentagon Brass are serious, the Corps is serious, and international NGOs are serious. How do you think the ultra-right in the US blogerati will respond?
If the past is any guide, at some point in the next few days the wingnut press is going to pay attention to this story. My prediction is that despite the potential massive ramifications of this action if true (commentators are already saying that it will be more damaging to the US than Abu Graibh) and despite the devastation that an investigation and trial will inflict on the Marine community at Camp Pendleton, right-wingers will stir the fire by leaping to the defence of the individual marines who may have committed the alleged crimes at Haditha. I also predict that at least one extremist will say that Haditha should be a model for the occupation, that nobody is innocent, and other comments along those lines. Who do you think will lead the pack?