Weighing in.
It is unfortunate that people were killed who in all likelihood did not need to die. It is not the first time this has happened in this conflict, and it is not the only resultant tragic story to make its way to the public eye. The concept of 'acceptable losses' works both ways, and it is why civilians hide in basements, have trouble with bowel control, and tend to have a lousy opinion of soldiers. Fighting a war while trying to avoid civilian casualties is like trying to play (American) football without damaging the grass. It can be minimized, but not avoided, and the more the players concentrate on preserving the field of battle, the less effective they will be as combatants.
I can sympathize with the soldiers, in a way. The elation of 'we got one!' is intoxicating. You've done something good! You're a hero! Euphoria time! Happy hormones for everybody! Wheeee! At the time the soldiers get clearance to engage, the hindbrain takes over...that portion of the brain which speaks in single, unconfusing terms. You know, that part of the brain which barks things like, "Kill!" "Eat!" or "Fuck!" And the reason it gets to drive for a while is because this sort of thing is exactly what that part does really, really well: Engage, neutralize. Reposition, engage, neutralize. It becomes like
a game, except that
this game is even more thrilling because it is
real. And nobody is immune to this sort of gleeful exuberance.
Nobody.
That said, I viewed the video. It took two tries before I could watch the whole thing. I had nothing to do with the incident, directly nor indirectly, but I must say...I am sorry. My remorse means nothing; the bodies are still dead, the children still wounded. I agree that the attitude of the soldiers was quite a bit more cavalier/flippant than it needed to be, but though I understand why they likely acted the way they did, I don't believe that excuses the behavior.
And now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go hug my son. A lot.
--Patrick