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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsBombing of Afghan hospital wasn’t a ‘war crime’ -WaPo
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This is deeply disturbing stuff disturbing as well as offensive. One would think that Liu would first think the strike was an accident the sort of thing that happens in war. But to think the United States purposely bombed a hospital is evidence of a mindset that suggest such deep hostility toward America that Liu ought to go work somewhere else.
I dont for a minute think that the United States was involved in war crime here unless the definition of a crime is so stretched as to encompass a horrible accident. Besides, I cant imagine what purpose such a crime could serve. How does the bombing of a hospital advance U.S. interests in Afghanistan? You would think it would be counterproductive.
The horror of what happened to her staff and their patients may have caused Liu to say something she will someday regret. That day is now. She ought to clarify. Her organization has suffered enough already.
Read more:http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2015/10/07/bombing-of-afghan-hospital-wasnt-a-war-crime/
upaloopa
(11,417 posts)be hit with bombs or artillery on maps. We knew the coordinates. Even when the VC were launching mortars out of the roof of a shrine it wouldn't be hit. At least not in 1967 68 when I was there.
They sure as hell knew the target was a hospital!
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Besides the fact that the staff was frantically contacting the military to let them know they were being bombed.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)And looking at his other editorial pieces, I don't think mr. Cohen's feelings on things count for an awful lot.
uhnope
(6,419 posts)really looks like it
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)I also know that Richard Cohen is not involved in this investigation. I can read his piece and see that his "conclusion" is based completely on what he wants to happen. I can read his other pieces, and see that Richard Cohen's opinions on just about everything seem overwhelmingly worthless.
uhnope
(6,419 posts)or you could just keep riding the emotions
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)uhnope
(6,419 posts)Because that's not what he's saying
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)This editorial is just a weak effort at saying that MSF is "just anti-American," and nothing else.
uhnope
(6,419 posts)Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)It's exactly what he says. Liu is "deeply hostile" to the United States. She ought to "work elsewhere." It's "offensive" - everything he has is running off the logic that America is great and flawless, and that Liu hates america and has no credibility as an America-hater.
That's his "proof" for his thesis.
Sort of like the fact that Trayvon was wearing a hoodie was "proof" for Cohen's thesis that Zimmerman was right to kill the boy.
Rex
(65,616 posts)Sadly, I can believe that post 9/11.
demmiblue
(36,885 posts)Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)It's like saying that the drunk driver who ran over and killed 3 people is innocent because he "didn't mean to kill people".
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)Pope confirms he is indeed Catholic.
pampango
(24,692 posts)willfully, i.e., either intentionally (dolus directus) or recklessly (dolus eventualis). The exact mental element varies depending on the crime concerned.
https://www.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule156
To be a war crime the attack would have either intentionally targeted what they knew was a hospital or that the target selection process is so 'reckless' as to constitute a war crime.
If Assad dropping barrel bombs on civilian neighborhoods is to be considered a war crime because it either intentionally targets civilians or kills them through 'reckless' targeting, the same standard has to apply to the US, Russia and everyone else who is a combatant there.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Second thought, upon clicking the link and seeing Richard Cohen wrote it: ah, that makes sense.
uhnope
(6,419 posts)why do you want so bad for this to be an intentional bombing war crime?
How do you respond to post #9 in this thread?
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)This wasn't an obscure building in the middle of a crowded area.
it was a very prominent complex, with the building that was bombed locatedin the middle of one of the only green spaces in Kunduz.
Very precise coordinates of this known civilian medical center were okayed for bombing by the US chain of command.
I'm willing to believe that the crew of the AC-130 didn't know it was a hospital.
The chain of command people who okay'd it? Not buying it.
Note that this was the building they were asked to bomb by their Afghan allies. So, they were hitting exactly the building they intended to hit.
uhnope
(6,419 posts)How do you respond to this from the article:
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)uhnope
(6,419 posts)Before you said this:
But now you say it was not intentional, but reckless.
Please explain.
malaise
(269,157 posts)They are fucking clueless
Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)Clinton bush and Obama said no thanks.
840high
(17,196 posts)Octafish
(55,745 posts)http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2007/06/19/DI2007061901259.html
Guy's best friends with War Inc. He has to say it wasn't a war crime. Even if he's doing blogs now, defending the indefensible is for Cohen a natural thing, uhnope.