Re: Is that they call discriminate fire? Yes, actually...

Tarver Engineering wrote:
> "Vince Brannigan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
> news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> > Tarver Engineering wrote:
> >
> >
> > > > It's beginning to sound like some junior officer decided
> > > > on a Viet Nam type body count.
> > >
> > >
> > > It was Reuters that decided to publish a body count.
>
> > no it is being widely reported as a major shift in US spin on the war.
>
>
> The "widely reported" news source is lying; there is no change in the policy
> of not reporting a body count.  Toumbstones are a poor metric for success,
> in winning hearts and minds.
>
>
> > "Numerous newspapers on Monday played up as front page news the Sunday
> > clash between rebel forces and U.S. soldiers in the city of Samarra,
> > with most declaring that between 46 and 54 Iraqis had been killed and
> > using only U.S. military officials as their sources. After a run of bad
> > news for the U.S. in Iraq -- including a record monthly death toll of
> > U.S. soldiers -- the military portrayed this as a major victory, and the
> > press seemed to accept it.
>
>
> Except that the body count came out of Reuters, not US Military sources.

you are wrong
New york times Dec 3

But after weeks of suffering casualties from an enemy that detonates 
roadside bombs from afar and fires mortars under cover of darkness, 
American military officials seemed to relish the opportunity on Monday 
to claim credit for dealing the fighters a punishing blow.

"They got whacked, and won't try that again," a senior military official 
in Washington said. The Pentagon insisted the body count was accurate.

The fight began when two American convoys that carry cash to two banks 
here rumbled into this hard-line Baathist city on Sunday with tanks, 
Bradley fighting vehicles and armored Humvees. Such convoys had been 
attacked before, and the Americans were ready.

As if on cue, the guerrillas attacked, but according to American 
commanders, the Iraqis suffered a devastating defeat. The battle ended, 
they said, with as many as 54 insurgents dead and only 5 Americans wounded.

Not Reuters "american commanders" and "senior military officials"

Vince






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