If we weren't almost six years into this particular war, accidents like this would be a bit more understandable:
Afghan police mistook U.S. troops on a nighttime mission for Taliban fighters and opened fire on them early Tuesday, prompting U.S. forces to return fire and call in attack aircraft. Seven Afghan police were killed.
The contrast between US and Afghan reactions speaks volumes:
Maj. Chris Belcher, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, said a combined coalition-Afghan force was ambushed by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades from two sides while on the way to conduct an operation against a suspected Taliban safe house.
"Afghan and coalition forces took incoming fire and they responded to it," Belcher said. The forces called in air support, he said.
A policeman at the remote checkpoint said police called out for the approaching U.S. forces to halt.
"I thought they were Taliban, and we shouted at them to stop, but they came closer and they opened fire," said Khan Mohammad, one of the policemen at the post. "I'm very angry. We are here to protect the Afghan government and help serve the Afghan government, but the Americans have come to kill us."
Rahimi said the incident was being investigated and showed why Karzai has repeatedly called for increased cooperation and communication between Afghan and international troops, which would also help solve the ongoing problem of civilian casualties in Afghanistan.
To us, it's a hassle--a nuisance. Pesky civilians in the way, follish policemen getting themselves shot...and tomorrow we'll all forget about them.
Unfortunately, the Afghans don't quite see things that way.
Oh--and they live there. We don't--but if anyone WANTS to go live there, I won't stand in the way. Wingnuts, now's your chance to enjoy the fruits of liberation.
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