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Checkpoints in Iraq don't seem to include Red Traffic Lights.

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Eric J in MN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 09:43 PM
Original message
Checkpoints in Iraq don't seem to include Red Traffic Lights.
Edited on Fri Mar-04-05 09:44 PM by Eric J in MN
The US military defends shooting at the car carrying an Italian journalist at a checkpoint by saying they warned the car to stop with "hand and arm signals, flashing white lights, and firing warning shots."

Why not a RED TRAFFIC LIGHT to tell people to stop?

Why not signs in multiple languages saying "SLOW FOR CHECKPOINT" along the road to the checkpoint?


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7089948/

Mistaken U.S. attack wounds Italian journalist
Italian agent killed when troops open fire on car
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 8:47 p.m. ET March 4, 2005

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena survived a month of captivity and horror at the hands of Iraqi insurgents, but little could she imagine the terror that lay just ahead: A shrapnel wound when American troops opened fire on the speeding car carrying her to freedom.

One of the Italian intelligence agents who negotiated her release Friday was killed as he threw his body across her when the shooting started. One, perhaps two, other agents were wounded, in still another tragic friendly fire incident at a U.S. checkpoint.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, an ally of the United States who has kept Italian troops in Iraq despite public opposition at home, demanded an explanation “for such a serious incident, for which someone must take the responsibility.”

President Bush expressed regret and promised to investigate, the White House said.
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babylonsister Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 09:49 PM
Response to Original message
1. I don't know about electric capabilities there, but
the idea of a sign in multiple languages is great! Then, if oncoming traffic doesn't stop, it's not because they haven't been warned. My heart breaks because of this kind of incident but I can't blame soldiers for trying to protect themselves either.
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Eric J in MN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 09:53 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. It's not the low-ranking soldiers , but people higher-up
Edited on Fri Mar-04-05 09:55 PM by Eric J in MN
who should make sure that there are multiple sigsn in muliple languages telling people to slow for a checkpoint.

If you're driving fast through a dangerous area, and someone flashes a white light at you and someone else fires "warning shots" it isn't obvious that you should stop the car.

If they have electricity for the flashing white lights, they also have the electricity for the much clearer signal of a RED TRAFFIC LIGHT.
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Igel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 09:56 PM
Response to Reply #2
3. They had the signs in English ... killed a fair number of
people before they realized English wasn't the language most people spoke.

They probably have it up in Farsee now ... looks at lot like Arabic.

I wonder if did have signs up ... and, if so, if the driver could read them?
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babylonsister Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:00 PM
Response to Reply #2
5. Yeah, but for all we know those lights were
high-powered, battery operated flashlights. At least, for all I know. Or could have been lights on a truck, etc.
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Eric J in MN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:06 PM
Response to Reply #5
7. They could put batteries in traffic lights (nt)
nt
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number6 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 09:58 PM
Response to Original message
4. What oafs
can't think of it

Why not a RED TRAFFIC LIGHT to tell people to stop?

"Why not signs in multiple languages saying "SLOW FOR CHECKPOINT" along the road to the checkpoint?"

:shrug:
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Qanisqineq Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:04 PM
Response to Original message
6. because the electricity is only on for an hour or two at a time
then off for four hours. :shrug: But seriously, I don't know.
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Eric J in MN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:07 PM
Response to Reply #6
8. Then they should put batteries in red traffic lights.
Edited on Fri Mar-04-05 10:07 PM by Eric J in MN
Maybe the batteries would have to be changed often, but it's better than killing people.
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Qanisqineq Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:11 PM
Response to Reply #8
9. I dunno why
I'll see if I can ask my husband, he was there.
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Eric J in MN Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:14 PM
Response to Reply #9
10. Please let us know more.
I'd like to hear more about how the checkpoints are designed.
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Qanisqineq Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:17 PM
Response to Reply #10
11. sure, but this may take awhile
he's out of town and I am talking to him on messenger. He's using a cell phone and seems to be about 10 minutes behind me. He answers questions I asked a while ago and I can't figure out what the hell he's answering!
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Qanisqineq Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 10:58 PM
Response to Reply #10
12. I may have to get back to you on this one
He keeps losing the signal on his cell phone. When I say he is out of town, what I mean is he's actually out in the field practicing shooting those damn insurgents (ha. ha.) so I'll ask him next time he calls.
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Must_B_Free Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Mar-04-05 11:15 PM
Response to Original message
13. WIth 1/2 watt of brain power
you could figure out what it took to do this without continually killing people by mistake.

Do they have signs in arabic?

a gate?
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