Petroleum Broadcasting Service

Frontline ran a broadcast regarding the Iraq war that is worth taking a look at, despite the pro-invasion bias. Of particular interest to me is the justification of civilian casualities--you know, the whole fog-of-war, regretable but inevitable, we make every effort to minimize, blah blah blah. The fact is, however, that any civilian casualties are illegal, whether intentional or not. This means, at the very least, that the families of civilian victims are entitled to compensation. Which is probably why the United States is specifically NOT making ANY effort to count them. Interesting, no? We feign concern for the Iraqi people, telling our citizens (the world is far less gullible as to our intentions) that we wish to "liberate" them from the tyranny of Saddam--but at the same time we give not one shit about blasting Iraqis to smithereens.

Two things from the program last night are fresh in my mind, although, alas, there is no record of these items on the Frontline pages. Additionally, the transcript is at least two weeks from publication. One was the absolutely callous dismissal of civilian casualties by a number of commanders. Sure, in war, people die. However, as noted above, civilian deaths CANNOT be simply dismissed if a country wishes to claim that its in compliance with the various conventions regarding 'civilized' warfare. And, it's extremely stupid: you don't win hearts and minds by pumping bodies full of lead (or Depleted Uranium). People will seek revenge under those circumstances--with tragic consequences for our occupation troops.

The other thing that stuck in my mind also involved civilian casualities: a certain policy wonk said, on camera, that he was watching the live feed in the Pentagon situation room when an American jet attacked what was thought to be "Chemical" Ali's hideout. The video offered such a detailed view that this person claimed he could see the bodies of people (he described them as "rag dolls") being literally blown out of the building--and he noted how everyone cheered--war as sport, I guess.

Except it was no sport, but a tragedy: Ali was NOT in the house--seventeen civilians were. Blown to bits in what can only be described as Pentagon Pornography: a genuine snuff film. Your tax dollars at work.

Makes the whole Superbowl flap seem pretty insignificant...