Americans Killed in Iraq

**Jim Smith** · 13/04/2004, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Conor74

As a matter of curiosity, what is the overall point you are trying to make? That they deserved to die?

No. The point that I was trying to make is that equating the death of mercenaries in a war zone with nurses and engineers in Saudia Arabia isn't particularly valid. Where did I say that I thought anyone "deserved to die"?

**Jim Smith** · 13/04/2004, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Conor74

No, I was asking if that's what you were implying, not stating that it was what you were implying.

No, you were implying that I was implying that they deserved to die...

So there can be no confusion, I do not feel "that they deserved to die?" nor "that they 'kind of' deserved to die?" I don't actually think that anyone deserves to die. I do, however, have less sympathy for twenty-first century mercenaries dying in their chosen profession than for plumbers and gas-fitters.

**Jim Smith** · 13/04/2004, 1:17 PM

Originally Posted by Conor74

As a matter of curiosity, what is the overall point you are trying to make? That they deserved to die? That they 'kind of' deserved to die?

Sure, there's no whiff of an implication in that....

**Peadar** · 13/04/2004, 1:25 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

I do, however, have less sympathy for twenty-first century mercenaries dying in their chosen profession than for plumbers and gas-fitters.

I read a few articles on this at the weekend and it appears that many of the "Security Contractors" didn't have appropriate training or weapons to deal with the situation they were in. The offer of GBP�100,000 PA was too much for some out-of-work ex-soldiers to refuse.

This being the case it's understandable that some of us have less sympathy for them. In West Cork, certain people are considered hero's for their part in the termination of "Black & Tans."
Is this too dissimilar?

**liamon** · 13/04/2004, 1:26 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

No. The point that I was trying to make is that equating the death of mercenaries in a war zone with nurses and engineers in Saudia Arabia isn't particularly valid. ..."?

I don't think anyone would disagree with that.....apart from Eanna (see previous page).

**�anna** · 13/04/2004, 4:40 PM

Originally Posted by liamon

I don't think anyone would disagree with that.....apart from Eanna (see previous page).

He's said exactly the same thing as me. The "yes and yes" I posted was referring to the first part of pete's post. I meant to edit the quote. It should have (and now does) read:

Quote:Quote:
Originally Posted by pete
Would you say the same thing if were irish guys working for an American contractor as i'd guess good chance some irish lads over there.

yes and yes. you can't waltz into someone else's country all guns blazing and expect a hug and a pint to welcome you.

**�anna** · 13/04/2004, 4:42 PM

sorry bout that. i didn't really look at it when i was posting it- can't believe the way it came out.

**Duncan Gardner** · 13/04/2004, 6:31 PM

Originally Posted by davros

So,you choose to ignore what's gone in 'your own back yard' then.....

No, but I don't recall any illegal US intervention there, during my lifetime or before.

Do you ever actually read what anyone else says, ye dum-dum?

**Duncan Gardner** · 13/04/2004, 6:38 PM

What about Noraid? It's a legally registered charity in the USA. If people want to send money back to the oul' sod, so what? Or are you suggesting that's equivalent to bombing civilians in Faluja?

**Duncan Gardner** · 13/04/2004, 6:57 PM

No they haven't. Stop talking nonsense or you'll not be allowed on the trip to the Wisla!

**A face** · 13/04/2004, 7:13 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

In West Cork, certain people are considered hero's for their part in the termination of "Black & Tans."
Is this too dissimilar?

I think yes .... the Black and Tans for the most part we convicts and paid their way out of jail and onto the ships to come here. It was circumstance, there was a limited (no) choice. Those in Iraq right now do (to be honest) have a choice and can exercise it.

Thats my understanding of it anyway !!

**Peadar** · 14/04/2004, 8:22 AM

Originally Posted by Conor74

Those in Iraq are career soldiers who volunteered to fight for their country and do what their commander in chief tells them to do, as good soldiers should.

I thought we were talking about "Security Contractors"?

Did anyone see "Taking Bagdad" on Discovery last night?
Hard hitting stuff.

**Duncan Gardner** · 14/04/2004, 9:14 AM

Davros. "Illegal US intervention" implies action by the US government. You can hardly compare this with Noraid- if you did, every time a Yank tourist got a speeding ticket, it would qualify as illegal intervention.

A Face. Most of the Tans and Auxis were soldiers demobbed from the British Army at the end of WW1. I doubt more than a small proportion of them,certainly well below 50%, were ex-cons.

Conor. Obeying orders from your officers and observing the Geneva Conventions aren't co-terminous. In practice the Tan atrocities were approved by the British Army.

**Duncan Gardner** · 14/04/2004, 9:24 AM

Yawn. Noraid isn't part of the US government. That government has never given it official sanction. It's a private organisation sometimes active in Ireland. Therefore any illegal actions by it or its members are comparable to an illegal action by a private US citizen. If you bothered to read other posts rather than ranting incoherently this would be self-evident, you fat bald numbskull

PS you're not even really Irish, so what are ye doing on this board anyway?