An Almost Potentially Serious Matter

Although Iraq's spiritual leader designate has stated that "there is no vestige of excuse for people to carry on terrorism or bloodshed", it seems there are at least reasons, for some people, anyway. Islamists, Saddamists and other sadists of the Muslim nationalist persuasion need no emotional or ideological frills to start blowing people up, but when an American marine falls victim to an occupational hazard, the massacre of twenty-four alleged civilians becomes at least comprehensible. "A picture is gradually emerging of a small group of troops who lost control in the wake of an unrelated attack on their vehicle, which left one of their comrades dead." Despite the loss of control, there were "no pockmarked walls", according to a congressional aide; so apparently the grieving leathernecks retained their marksmanship despite six targets of the undersized variety. It is widely expected that the investigations into this outburst of rottenapplitude will result in "the courts martial of several marines and possible (sic) charges of murder." It appears that other charges might be possible instead; after all, "claims that US marines massacred Iraqi civilians" could have potentially serious consequences. The British Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, no less, has observed that "reports of the unprovoked killing of up to two dozen unarmed Iraqis would be 'appalling' if proved accurate" because our boys are "doing difficult and dangerous things in unpleasant circumstances on behalf of their country" - Iraq, presumably - "and they need the support of the people in their country". Accusations of this sort "make that harder to achieve", which is obviously too bad.