Haditha: Now let’s see who drive-by media believe

For two-weeks the newspapers and TV of the world have been filled with heart-rending but conflicting narratives by Iraqi “witnesses” to a Marine massacre at Haditha. Editorialists and columnists, even ones not hostile toward the Iraq war or Marines, have stampeded to fill their space with a little obligatory caution or caveat as they condemn the Marines for a massacre, for going off the handle, for overreacting to the stress of war.

Now, for the first time, one of the Marines directly involved has spoken up. The Washington Post, to its credit, carries his description of events on the front-page.

Rules of engagement were followed, as the Marines chased terrorists through the houses where they’d purposely hidden among civilians. This is in an area known for hostile and harboring civilians. Civilians were killed. With all regrets for that, at least no further Marines were killed by holding a cotillion that some armchair commentators imagine would be appropriate. (I’d like to see them dance in any dangerous circumstances like these.)

It well may be possible that there’s more to be found out and to clear up.

It’s well past time the media waited to find out before jumping to more conclusions, and harming the honor of our Marines, our country, and our ability to wage a war. If they don’t, their purpose is very clear.

UPDATE: What’s in your newspaper this morning?
The front page of my local newspaper, the San Diego Union Tribune, this Sunday morning is “Wartime convictions a tough march: U.S. servicemen found guilty of killings often end up serving little time” by Alex Roth, Staff Writer.

Only after 32 paragraphs bemoaning any leniency or understanding of the conditions of war, and accusations that our justice is racist, do we hear that defendants are often railroaded by our own military:

Although defense lawyers have enjoyed their share of recent success in military hearings and courts-martial, they also face their own challenges.
San Diego lawyer Jude Litzenberger, a retired Navy lieutenant commander, said a defendant's comrades are often reluctant to testify for the defense out of fear of alienating the military brass.
Although the doctrine of undue command influence forbids a service member from pressuring a subordinate to testify a certain way, it happens nonetheless, Litzenberger said.
And there's often political pressure for the military to find someone to blame and punish, “especially in a case that puts egg on the face of the military,” she said.

Among those who should learn to keep their mouths shut are the politicized officers in the Pentagon.