From today's London Times.
After seeing this cartoon, heaving a deep sigh and posting prematurely, I checked e-mail and found a message from Soonergrunt, our Kossack near Kabul. Here you go.
Hello, Old Friend
It's been a busy day. As for the events of today, Reuters seems the closest to having it right. I wasn't in the convoy that was in the accident, but I know some of the guys who were. It was a real mess. My convoy from a long-range patrol diverted around the city and made it home OK. None of our people shot anyone, but I did see the Afghan National Police fire directly into a crowd. It seems that what happened is that one of our trucks was broadsided by a large freight truck and subsequently rolled over a taxi full of people.
There are no traffic laws here as far as I can tell. If a person can start a car they can drive on the roads.
The rioting moved down the road from the accident site to the embassy district and all US forces cleared the roads and returned to bases. ISAF pulled their people in as well.
Quite a mess.
As far as the Haditha incident, what we know from Stars and Stripes is that several marines are currently in jail awaiting the Article 32 investigation (like a grand jury inquiry.) The people I know here are pretty much of the opinion that those found guilty should hang, literally. We will be watching the trials with great interest.
I'm off to bed. I haven't slept in three days. Have a safe trip to Vegas, and say hi to everyone for me.
My best, Soonergrunt
The cartoon says it all. The disaster of George W. Bush for American standing in the world and the reputation of our armed forces is beyond measure.
A country that once represented ideals embraced around the globe by aspiring peoples now represents senseless killing, prison camps, extralegal arrest, torture, wars of choice, voter supression, KGB-style internal policing and lies, lies, and more lies.
We all need to work our asses off to get Soonergrunt and all the other troops deployed where they aren't wanted back home where they are.
I normally don't ask for Recommends, but it would be nice if the USA crowd could get to see Soonergrunt's message.
Sigh!