The White Phosphorous Flip-Flop
At first we didn't use white phosphorous in Iraq, and then we did!
Sounds like the Bush administration hard at work covering up its lies.
After denying intial reports, the Pentagon now admits that the United States military did indeed use white phosphorous in Iraq.
The Pentagon admits using white phosphorous against 'insurgents' in Iraq, but denies a news report on Italian televisionw which said the U.S. military also used the substance against Iraqi civilians.
http://www.dawn.com/2005/11/17/top13.htm
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051116/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/iraq_white_phosphorous_4
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White phosphorus is used by the military in various types of ammunition, and to produce smoke for concealing troop movements and identifying targets.
It's used to conceal troop movements and identify targets! It's used to protect our troops. Hello! So just because the Pentagon says it used white phosphorous doesn't mean it was used like a chemical weapon.
If I were you I'd stick to your liberal political tirades instead of cutting and pasting from your buddies at mediamatters etc.
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2005/11/16 @ 10:46 PM — (Reply)
First of all, I am not ignorant of the military.
I do not pretend to know everything, b/c I don't. But I do know plenty about the military.
Secondly, no where in my post did you see me say that white posphorous was used as a chemical weapon.
I was simply pointing out the Pentagon's flip-flop.....at first they denied using it, and then they owned up to it.
And I was also simply pointing out that there had been claims that our military used it against civilians.
Comment by Shalana— 2005/11/17 @ 04:34 AM — (Reply)
Comment by are you kidding?— 2005/11/17 @ 06:57 PM — (Reply)
And did you hear me say anything about me believing Italian television?
You are right; their credibility is shot. Especially after the Nigerian forgeries fiasco.
I simply made note that the Pentagon denied Italy's report that the white phosphorous was used on civilians. I didn't say I didn't believe their denial.
Duh!
Comment by Shalana— 2005/11/17 @ 07:22 PM — (Reply)
Saying it was used on civilians implies that it was used as a chemical weapon. It's hardly a flip flop, they admitted a mistake. So what.
Comment by elmers brother— 2005/11/17 @ 09:33 PM — (Reply)
They didn't admit to any mistake. No one said "We were wrong."
They simply went from lying (saying they didn't use it) to telling the truth (saying they did).
No one said it was a mistake to use it.
Comment by Shalana— 2005/11/18 @ 06:50 PM — (Reply)
I suggest you start supporting our country instead of trying to bring it down. The Pentagon is not the enemy...the radical Muslims are and you are giving aid and comfort to them as far as I am concerned. Pull your head out of the sand Shalana. If we fail you will be wearing a burka, paying the jizya tax or if you are lucky they might cut your head off for not converting to Islam.
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2005/11/18 @ 10:30 PM — (Reply)
What's wrong with this story? The US never signed Protocol III of Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and neither did 80 other countries. Also white phosphorus is not a "chemical weapon". It is a conventional weapon like high explosive, bullets, bayonets, or hand grenades.
The civilian population in Falluja mentioned in the Italian media was given a warning by the American military and urged to leave. The American military takes great pains to insure civilians are not targeted even at the risk of their own lives.
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2005/11/20 @ 02:16 PM — (Reply)