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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

iflewaway someone from somewhere Since: Dec, 2016
someone
#179476: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:13:29 PM

Recent American airstrikes in Iraq may have killed as many as 200 civilians

BAGHDAD — The American-led military coalition in Iraq said Friday that it was investigating reports that scores of civilians — perhaps as many as 200, according to local residents — had been killed in recent American airstrikes in Mosul, the northern Iraqi city where Iraq’s security forces have been waging a months-long offensive.

The reports of a heavy civilian toll from airstrikes in Mosul comes on the back of two recent incidents in Syria, where the coalition is also battling the Islamic State from the air, in which activists and local residents said dozens of civilians had been killed.

Taken together, the surge of reported civilian deaths raised questions about whether once-strict rules of engagement meant to minimize civilian casualties were being relaxed under the Trump administration, which has vowed to fight the Islamic State more aggressively.

American military officials insisted that the rules of engagement had not changed. They acknowledged, however, that American airstrikes in both Syria and Iraq have been heavier in an effort to press the Islamic State on multiple fronts.

Col. Joseph E. Scrocca, a spokesman for the American-led command in Baghdad, said in a statement Friday that “the coalition has opened a formal civilian casualty credibility assessment on this allegation” from Mosul.

“This process takes time, though, especially when the date of the alleged strike is in question,” he said.

Based on reports from the ground, Colonel Scrocca said the coalition was investigating reports of civilian deaths from a strike sometime between March 17 and Thursday.

In recent days the campaign to retake Mosul from the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, has become more grueling as Iraqi forces have made their way into the older and more densely populated western part of the city.

The civilian toll in Mosul was already widely described as heavy on account of ISIS snipers and bombs, and intensified urban fighting in which artillery has also been used. But there have been numerous reports from witnesses, including rescue workers and residents fleeing the fighting, about bodies being buried under rubble after heavy air bombardment.

Many of the reports centered on a neighborhood called Mosul Jidideh, where residents said airstrikes hit a number of houses in recent days, killing dozens, including many children.

Capt. Ahmed Nuri, a soldier with Iraq’s elite counterterrorism forces, who work closely with the American military and call in airstrikes, said on Thursday that his men, facing heavy sniper fire, helped collect five bodies from the rubble of a destroyed home. He said four of them were brothers — named Ali, Omar, Khalid and Saad — whose bodies were delivered to their grieving mother.

As amusing as the incompetence of Trump & Friends can be, remember that a lot of innocent people are dying because of it.

edited 24th Mar '17 3:19:00 PM by iflewaway

something
fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#179477: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:16:45 PM

Why is there always warnings and tips from Ron Paul about gold? What is his connection to gold?

edited 24th Mar '17 3:18:40 PM by fredhot16

Trans rights are human rights. TV Tropes is not a place for bigotry, cruelty, or dickishness, no matter who or their position.
LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#179478: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:18:59 PM

He believes in the gold standard. Which is ridiculous.

Oh really when?
fredhot16 Don't want to leave but cannot pretend from Baton Rogue, Louisiana. Since: Jan, 2015 Relationship Status: Too sexy for my shirt
Don't want to leave but cannot pretend
#179479: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:22:20 PM

[up]...The last time I remember hearing about the "gold standard", it was in an American History textbook. In High School.

Trans rights are human rights. TV Tropes is not a place for bigotry, cruelty, or dickishness, no matter who or their position.
sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#179480: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:22:29 PM

[up][up][up]He was Born in the Wrong Century and wishes he were an 1840s Gold Rush Prospector?

edited 24th Mar '17 3:22:46 PM by sgamer82

ViperMagnum357 Since: Mar, 2012
#179481: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:25:18 PM

[up]Pretty much this-I would lay good odds most of his personal wealth is in the form of gold bars stashed in a safety deposit box somewhere.

edited 24th Mar '17 3:28:12 PM by ViperMagnum357

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#179482: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:25:33 PM

I wonder if civilian deaths in airstrikes are actually going up since Trump got in. I mean, Obama's strikes still killed a lot of people other than their targets.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#179483: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:27:22 PM

Ron Paul buys and sells gold. That's why he loves shilling it so much. Pretty easy to figure out.

As far as impeachment goes, there is no literal criminal act required — the House and Senate can impeach and convict for any reason they want. The Constitution says it is for "high crimes and misdemeanors", but there is no actual legal standard — if the votes pass, the Prez is out, and same with the VP.

That said, the line of succession goes Donald Trump -> Mike Pence -> Paul Ryan. So that's a thing. If 2018 should miraculously see the House flip blue, then it'd be a backdoor way to get a Democratic President in office, but that sort of coup has never been attempted in U.S. history, let alone succeeded. We've never even convicted any President on impeachment charges — the closest we got was Nixon, who resigned before he could have been convicted.

I have no doubts that Trump could be the one, if any, to break the streak, but it would be beyond absurd to expect a double-impeachment unless Pence did something so heinous that it immediately disqualified him from office.

edited 24th Mar '17 3:36:57 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#179484: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:34:14 PM

We should hold all Presidents to drone strikes that they order.

All of those civilian deaths is a tragedy.

Do not obey in advance.
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#179485: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:35:15 PM

Indeed. But the alternative is far, far worse.

Pick your poison type deal.

The real world is shitty, unforgiving, and eats you alive.

New Survey coming this weekend!
Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#179486: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:35:38 PM

The President has the explicit Constitutional power to wage war. Civilian deaths happen in wars. It's tragic, yes, but it's in no way a violation of the intent of our system of government. One should call out against callous disregard for civilian life, to be sure, but I have a strange feeling that Obama's civilian casualty record will look ridiculously tiny by the time Trump's done.

edited 24th Mar '17 3:36:23 PM by Fighteer

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#179487: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:47:45 PM

[up]I fear the same. But can anyone hold him to take responsibility for it?

Do not obey in advance.
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#179488: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:53:04 PM

[up] As terrible as it is, it'd set a horrible precedent. You'd cripple the Executive Branches options of dealing with foreign policy especially in war torn areas around the world. No one WANTS civilian casualties, but to prosecute even Trump for them is something that's ridiculous.

Not that any court would be able to handle it anyhow.

It's like those delusional leftists who thought it was possible to charge the Bush administration. Terrible idea in everyday possible.

edited 24th Mar '17 3:53:47 PM by TacticalFox88

New Survey coming this weekend!
iflewaway someone from somewhere Since: Dec, 2016
someone
#179489: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:53:42 PM

[up][up] Given the ludicrous amount of shit Trump's been able to get away with, I doubt it.

edited 24th Mar '17 3:55:02 PM by iflewaway

something
CenturyEye Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign? from I don't know where the Yith sent me this time... Since: Jan, 2017 Relationship Status: Having tea with Cthulhu
Tell Me, Have You Seen the Yellow Sign?
#179490: Mar 24th 2017 at 3:59:03 PM

In theory, international law functions in US courts (or you can skip the middle man and the new president could ship Trump to the Hague—but that's more a revenge fantasy than anything). Basically I agree with what that poster said[up][up].
Unless, Trump does something clear and egregious (like ordering hits on the families like in his campaign promises) it could end up hamstringing the more sane executives that follow him.

edited 24th Mar '17 4:00:08 PM by CenturyEye

Look with century eyes... With our backs to the arch And the wreck of our kind We will stare straight ahead For the rest of our lives
TacticalFox88 from USA Since: Nov, 2010 Relationship Status: Dating the Doctor
#179491: Mar 24th 2017 at 4:01:29 PM

Russia's state news service applies for White House pass

Omg, they're not even trying to hide it.

New Survey coming this weekend!
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#179492: Mar 24th 2017 at 4:03:51 PM

...how could this do anything but backfire?

Do not obey in advance.
Hodor2 Since: Jan, 2015
#179493: Mar 24th 2017 at 4:06:50 PM

Speaking of the war crimes discussion, Michael Flynn and other Trump officials discussed with Turkish officials ways in which they could get around U.S. extradition laws and send Gullen back to Turkey.

The story is from The Wall Street Journal and is derived from James Woolsey, who was a CIA director under Bill Clinton but who endorsed Trump rather than Hillary. Woolsey left the Trump administration in disgust shortly after joining and now we know why.

Lanceleoghauni Cyborg Helmsman from Z or R Twice Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: In my bunk
#179494: Mar 24th 2017 at 4:29:44 PM

I have to wonder how much fear the GOP have about their constituents tearing them limb from limb at a town hall. They seem to be getting somewhat panicked.

"Coffee! Coffeecoffeecoffee! Coffee! Not as strong as Meth-amphetamine, but it lets you keep your teeth!"
Journeyman Overlording the Underworld from On a throne in a vault overlooking the Wasteland Since: Nov, 2010
Overlording the Underworld
#179495: Mar 24th 2017 at 4:46:45 PM

Probably because they know if roles were reversed they would be the ones at those things with the knives to do it.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#179496: Mar 24th 2017 at 4:55:01 PM

Saw a video linked of Ryan saying, and I quote "This, to us, is something we're not gonna give up on. Because we're not gonna give up on destroying the healthcare system for the American people."

Then I saw it was four years old. Gonna leave the link here anyway, for s-words and giggles.

https://youtu.be/LT3Px11xN-0

edited 24th Mar '17 4:59:53 PM by sgamer82

BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
Reflextion from a post-sanity world (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: What's love got to do with it?
#179498: Mar 24th 2017 at 5:06:30 PM

This whole presidency is both a blessing and a curse for any aspiring fiction writers. On the one hand, it means they can go absolutely bugnuts crazy with writing over-the-top villains and probably not be decried as unrealistic. On the other, they are likely to be accused of ripping off current events too much.

Someone did tell me life was going to be this way.
AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#179499: Mar 24th 2017 at 6:14:32 PM

On the Sputnik thing: eeeeeh, I don't think that a press outlet is in itself really incriminating or any kind of indication about anything regarding Trump and Russia. It's kind of like "oh no a foreign press outlet is applying for a pass that's been open to foreign press outlets." Out of all the stuff that's come out, this does not really ring any alarm bells. This is a pretty rote thing to me.

LeGarcon Blowout soon fellow Stalker from Skadovsk Since: Aug, 2013 Relationship Status: Gay for Big Boss
Blowout soon fellow Stalker
#179500: Mar 24th 2017 at 6:15:37 PM

Sputnik is a known Russian asset is the problem. They were listed by name in the CIA report on Russian interference in the election a few months ago.

Oh really when?

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