Copter Blamed For Dislodging Shiite Banner Army Drops Denials

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61533-2003Aug28.html

The commander of U.S. ground forces in Iraq said today that an American helicopter crew intentionally dislodged a Shiite Muslim banner from a tower in the capital's Sadr City district two weeks ago, an incident that sparked violent protests in which U.S. troops killed an Iraqi boy.

In an abrupt reversal of denials issued at the time, Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez said that as a result of a U.S. military investigation, "I think the aircraft was getting close enough to that tower in order to blow the flag down."

Sanchez did not say why the helicopter crewmen might have wanted to knock down the black banner, which was inscribed in white letters with the name of one of Shiite Islam's most revered figures. He said that the soldiers faced punishment and that results of the investigation could be released as early as next week.

[NickB79]

1. Soldiers facing punishment, huh?

How about, since their reckless behavior ultimately led to the death of an innocent Iraqi boy killed by US forces during the protest, they be brought up on manslaughter charges and dishonorably discharged? That would be a fitting punishment, more so than being demoted in rank.

[MaineDem]

2. Demote the Commander-in-Chief

All the way down to Brush Clearer Third Class.

[NNN0LHI]

3. I wonder if there was no video of this we would have been told the truth?

OK. I was just kidding.

Don

[Kbowe]

4. We would never know without witnesses and videos...

The al-Jazeera journalists are becoming the true heros of this military carbage and the illegal invasion.

[revcarol]

5. Hey, they gotta tear down all banners against the regime.

The Code Pink "PINK SLIP" banner torn down because IT WAS AN INCITEMENT TO RIOT!!Someone please post link of the SS tearing down banner...

They're only getting the Bush treatment that we citizens are getting.