Attack on Falluja - Video

This is some extremely interesting footage. I don't know when it was shot, but we can probably assume it was recently.

To me it gives perspective on what these troops are going through, and even creates some sympathy for these soldiers who are in Iraq and saying something along the lines of, "Why the fuck are we in Iraq?"Here

[Edited on Nov 24, 2004 by courtland_17]

Canada has troops in Iraq?

You don't have to be American to sympathize with Americans.

I think I saw that at least a week ago, and I kind of got the opposite impression - more like "blowing shit up is FUUUUUUUUUN!". Maybe they changed the video?
If this was all the troops were going through, all americans would be a lot happier about Iraq (none more so than BushCo, because pain-free (american pain of course) use of military power is sort of like 72 virgins...)

what does this have to do with anything?

Nope not a single one.
2000 in Afghanistan though.

You said "we". I was pointing out that "we" does not include Canada.

well thanks for clearing up any confusion there buddy.
"we can assume it's recently..." means us people who are viewing the video, even those of us with the internet in Canada.
and "why the fuck are we in Iraq?" is what many troops are saying...or so I've read.

why do i feel obligated to explain this shit?

I apologize, I misread your post.

Funny thing is that I dont know many troops that dont think we should be in Iraq. Weather its just "justification" or logical thought. I think the news likes to run around with their panties showing screaming soldiers dont like the war. Very few people want to be in a war, even less want to be shot at. On the other hand I have seen a lot of home sick troops wishing they were in the states getting laid etc. I challenge anyone to find a unit that has more then about 5-10% that dont have a good reason for being over their.

As for the video you guys think they are just shooting randomly and blowing stuff up I beg to differ.

that's some amazing footage... thanks for posting it.

I agree, I think those guys are having some target practice. Most of the soldiers think there is a reason for being there. They are doing a lot of good, most of the Iraqis don't like having an occupied country, but it's better that sadaam. This is what I've been told by my brother who is in Tikrit. Of course, you have to factor in the brain washing the army does, and the fact that all our soldiers willingly signed on.

Actually, there is a single one. A senior officer serving as an advisor for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) in Iraq.
And there's actually 930 in Afghanistan and a little over 1600 deployed worldwide.

I liked the "Real life vs. The Internet" link on that web page.

i was under the impression we had some snipers in Iraq, but i guess that was Canadians snipers working with the americans in Afghanistan.

but that's definetly not target practice, and i question the logic which caused you to arrive at this conclusion. to imply that responsible men and women would be randomly shooting up a city for fun is odd. this is clearly a battle with a small group of armed people, and this sure as hell isn't fun.
WHO THE FUCK HAS FUN WHEN BULLETS ARE BEING SHOT AT YOU???

Where's the enemy?

.........HIDING? so as not to get shot.
seems like being seen would lead to BEING KILLED.

They are whooping it up - cant you hear them? One guy appears to have got a little cut on his face - the kind of thing that got Kerry ridicule during the election.
My point is, they really do sound like they are having fun, the only injury was a scratch. Not a 'Why are we here?' atmosphere. And trust me, you can have loads of fun while your life is in danger. Maybe you wouldn't call it fun, maybe a crazy, giddy, adrenaline rush, but it feels like fun to me. And I think they are grooving on it. Ask a soldier please. I do think they are hoping to kill insurgents, but there is always a lot of random, suppresion fire in a battle. I have not been in the military, but have been shot at, and been in other very real mortal danager, and sometimes it is fun.

let me add some rational thought:

one: it is the rare case indeed that a soldier or Marine fires "at random." we have a hell of a lot more discipline and common sense than that, and any boot caught doing it is going to have his ass handed to him immediately. you just try and tell me you'd fire at random when all you have is six magazines carrying 30 rounds each and you don't know when the next ammo re-supply is coming. target practice my ass.

two: they are killing people. people rationalize it in many ways. personally, i don't much care how you rationalize it as long as you keep you and your buddies alive and complete the mission. we're trained to kill and we're ordered when to kill. that's our job and we're going to do it. do we enjoy it? frankly, some do. why? different reasons. because it's what they're good at it. because to not have fun or a sense of humor would bring in all the dark thoughts that you are trying to keep out so you can focus on keeping yourself and your buddies alive and killing the enemy. if some asshole was shooting at you, with steady supressing fire, wouldn't you be damn glad -- enough to shout in joy -- when a Cobra or M1A1 or a good shot took that fucker out, along with his buddies?

three: last i checked, none of us in the military were "brainwashed." when we go to school we all go through rigorous physical, mental and spiritual tests. but it's what you make of it. we have no political officers to spread propaganda and shoot you in the back if you don't "stay in line"... these guys joined for a variety of reasons: national pride, family tradition, money, college, experience, for a girl, etc. etc. they believe in what they're doing for a whole host more. i have yet to find a group of servicemembers who all joined for the same reason, stayed for the same reason, and enjoy it for the same reason. we're all individuals -- but our training, sense of comaraderie and discipline keeps us moving as a efficient killing force until the mission is accomplished, because to be less is to be dead.

four: it's a few minutes of video people. don't think you're going to get the whole picture just by watching this clip. realize that, and take it for what it is: our boys in uniform doing the job America asked them to do.

If someone here can give me a reason why I'm here let me know. Beats wakeing up not knowing why I got shot at, drive past bombs, waiting for the Car bomb to hug my truck or tank or looking for the sniper who has taken 2 people out in the past 2 weeks. Fucked being brainwashed. I know right and wrong. I didnt come over here to kill or shoot anyone. But I'll be damn if i'll let the fuck on the stree shoot a RPG ( not like they can hit shit) at me or my friends. Also Thats my job. Too kill people. Not looking to. Just kind of comes up. Maybe my sence of humor has gotten alot darker since being here. But thats how i deal with the shit i see and do everyday. I like to go back to a normal life somtime soon. So just by wacthing TV or talking to people will you fully understand whats its like to think theres a fucking rocket coming at you everytime you here air hsssss from a trash truck.


[Edited on Nov 25, 2004 by PrayToMyPistol]

It is hell, I have been there. Granted I was a medical escort for a patient, and I was at a field hospital on my way to Germany but I still had mortars dropped on me twice, and incoming fire once while trying to get to the Jet that was taking me there. I wouldn't do it again even though I came out of there with out a scratch, I have seen some of the other guys and girls out there that were not so lucky. This video looked like the guys were pretty pumped up with adrenaline and may not have been acting with thier brains fully engaged. Hell who knows maybe my next duty station will have me running around with the Marines out there. I hope not but the video was enough to make me glad I am on a ship.

We are there because inside every Iraqi, there is an American trying to get out.

Get out of iraq?

Bad English, sorry.

[Edited on Nov 25, 2004 by stockula]

I knew what you meant.