Der Spiegel: Urination Video 'Causes More Damage than Taliban Attacks'

[marmar]

American officials were swift to condemn new video images of four US Marines apparently urinating on the dead bodies of three Taliban fighters, and have started investigating the matter. German commentators say quick punishment for the men is the only option, if possible peace talks with the Taliban are to be salvaged.

American officials scrambled Thursday to respond to a video circulating on the Internet of four US Marines in Afghanistan urinating on the bodies of three dead Afghans, presumably members of the Taliban.

The video appears to show the US Marines urinating on the dead bodies of three men dressed in traditional Afghan clothing, one with a bloody torso. The recording was apparently made between March and September 2011, when the Marines' unit was stationed in the southern Afghan province of Helmand. The video shows the men smiling, and one of them says: "Have a great day, buddy."

US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta termed the behavior "utterly deplorable" and called Afghan President Hamid Karzai Thursday, telling him that he has ordered a full and swift investigation into the matter. Several other top officials at the Pentagon, including General James Amos, the Marine Corps commandant, issued statements denouncing the conduct of the four Marines. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,808942,00.html

[Shadowflash]

1. You know..

What these guys did was not right and certainly not the most brilliant of moves but I just can't take the objections and complaints about a dead body from people who like blowing up innocent people standing in line for food or work, or flying airplanes into buildings all that seriously.

[frylock]

3. the united states of america blows up innocent people standing in line for food or work all the time

[global1]

2. Is Anybody Suspicious That This Video Came Out Just When Talks Between The U.S & Taliban......

were being discussed. Timing is everything. Is somebody worried that maybe the talks would lead to some sort of deal and maybe justification for a continued war might be in question?