Some asinine articles with links to SecDef gates saying he'll look into the matter (why he just won't tell the idiots to pound hot sand is beyond me)...http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x5681156Then we read:
billyoc (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 12:51 AM
Response to Original message
1. But it's so darn *effective*.
magellan (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 12:55 AM
Response to Original message
2. They'll cop to torture but not to this
Even though it's well known they used WP offensively in Iraq (Fallujah).
Orwellian_Ghost (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 10:57 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. With the Pentagon
lying every step of the way.
Quantess (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 03:13 AM
Response to Original message
3. kick
armyowalgreens (185 posts) Tue May-19-09 05:06 AM
Response to Original message
4. The US and Israel:United in their gross violations of the Geneva convention.
No one gives a shit about human life anymore. Wars are for ratings and profits. It's ****ing pathetic.
Individualist (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 11:23 AM
Response to Original message
6. Change?
Mari333 (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 11:27 AM
Response to Original message
7. knr
Soylent Brice (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 11:29 AM
Response to Original message
8. ...even more confused now.
Echo In Light (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 11:31 AM
Response to Original message
9. "We...cough/cough...don't torture anymore, but have zero moral qualms w/burning civilians to death."
One_Life_To_Give (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 11:40 AM
Response to Original message
10. Isn't the ban on WP limited to civilian area's?
I thought the GC ban on WP was only in area's in and around civilians/non-combatants.
It's a horrid weapon to be on the receiving end of, but that horror is part of why it's so effective. And it seems that a hilltop sending in 30mm rounds is not likely to be a place with civilians and collateral damage.
Statistical (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 01:48 PM
Response to Reply #10
14. No....
WP or any weapon that damages or destroys by flame or heat is prohibited against troops.
However WP when used by artillery is a burster shell. It explodes high maybe 200-300 ft above the target.
The purpose is to generate smoke.
It generates a LOT of smoke.
It also generates it almost instantly.
WP is not very effective at killing troops.
The round explodes high and spreads WP "chunks" over a 20m-100m radius.
The blast is not very dense. It is just designs to spread the WP around to produce smoke in a larger area faster.
99% of the area in a 50m radius below a WP round is NOT hit by WP it simply gets smoke from nearby burning WP.
High Explosive on the other hand will kill anything and everything unarmed within a 50m radius. The diameter of the blast is a football field.
If you had to destroy a target which would you use:
1) a round that spreads 12 chunks of burning WP over a 50m radius and hope that randomly one will hit the target
2) a round that cuts a 50m hole in the ground and destroys anything unarmored inside it
Back in line, you! OneBlueSky (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 12:44 PM
Response to Original message
11. and this is a surprise because? . . . n/t
.
QueenOfCalifornia (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 12:50 PM
Response to Original message
12. I have seen what
white phosphorous does and it is very, very horrific.
It should not be allowed, ever.
Statistical (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 01:42 PM
Response to Original message
13. Shake and Bake is the term.
Smoke prevents movement of the target.
High explosive or air strike finishes them off.
155mm round will drop visibility to 0 for about a 100m radius.
16 guns in a battery will ensure the overlapping field is 300-400m wide.
Spotter who can't see can't call in a strike.
Spotter who can't see can't move.
Immobile target is easy picking for conventional rounds.
Trust me if you have ever seen both WP (smoke) and HE (High Explosive) you would understand that if Artillery can kill you with WP they can kill you easier, cheaper, and faster with HE or DPICM.
hugo_from_TN (305 posts) Tue May-19-09 05:01 PM
Response to Reply #13
18. Good info - Thanks.
Unfortunately, it's going against the preferred narrative, so most will ignore it.
blindpig (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 02:00 PM
Response to Original message
15. K&R
WP, DU, torture, yesiree folks, we're here to help you.....
Someone should tell the folks of Falluja about the legitimate usage of WP, mebbe that'll cheer 'em up.
Wouldn't be surprised if they called that in specifically to 'fry a raghead' in revenge for their dead buddy, that sort of shit happens.
OmmmSweetOmmm (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 02:02 PM
Response to Original message
16. It was used in Fallujah so why should Afghanistan be any different? There were also reports
early on by CNN in the Iraq war that we were using napalm.
Old Time Pagan (16 posts) Tue May-19-09 04:05 PM
Response to Original message
17. The US: The Country of Life, Ethical Behavior & High Moral Standards
yeah right.
waiting for hope (1000+ posts) Tue May-19-09 05:16 PM
Response to Original message
19. Who makes these bombs?
I've been searching to find out who and I keep coming up with Lockheed Martin and Raytheon ... hummm, who used to lobby for Raytheon?
Got to keep feeding the pig ..
