Journalists now a target!

Read this story:

www.foxnews.com...

The US Army has responded with a mighty blast to gun fire from the hotel killing a journalist and injuring others.

Isn't this over-reacting? I am sure those soldiers are pretty safe under the depleted uranium layer of their tank.

This is a typical example of US arrogance and show of power. Also to many civilian deaths and injuries so far.

Hmm. No, I think it's arrogant to remain in a war zone to report news and then be surprised and angered when your building is shot at.

The tank was being fired upon. They fired a single shot in response. Where's the overreaction?

That the journalists were not the "target", it's well known that Iraqi fighters are using innocent people and places for cover to fire from.

CNN's story says that fire came from the first floor and the return fire hit the fifth floor, there seems to be some controversy around why the fifth floor was hit.

Since this war is in process, it's probably best to let the dust clear, gather all the facts and decide then what actually happened and why.

Also, they knew this war was not going to be as "sterile" as GW1, as it required ground troops to go into Baghdad. It's the Iraqi military, who continue to position themselves near innocents to fire behind, that are to blame for this reporter's death.

It seems like many reporters are so focussed on being as close to the action as possible to get the "big scoop" & that's a dangerous position to be in. I watched a report where the reporter was crouched down next to a Marine firing a 50 cal. machine gun, in an actual firefight.

Also, the troops in that tank were being fired on and they have only a second to decide whether to respond or not. How could they know if the next thing coming their way might not be an RPG?

Again, the Iraqi's are taking advantage of innocent people to shield themselves from return fire.

Heck, this is war and reporters might want to use better judgement and get out of the line of fire.

'Journalists now a target' is kind of like saying our embedded journalist are a target of the Iraqis. Your ingorance is impressive zaxatron. Stop reading Michael Moore and come back to reality.

If I were sitting at the front line of a WAR I guess I would be somewhat of a target. I mean come on, the news people back home wouldn't trade positions with the ones out in the field.

Cameras are shoulder held. From a distance they can look remarkably similar to shoulder launched rockets.
They also emit a wavelength that is similar to some weapons - for example the scope on a sniper rifle.
Cameras have glass lenses. So do sniper rifles. A glint of sunlight on glass can mean you are about to be targetted by an enemy sniper.

In the fog of war it's not too easy to distinguish a cameraman from an enemy. But if you are a coalition soldier who thinks that he is being directly threatened, you aren't going to sit there for half an hour whilst you figure out that this idiot with a mechanical object on his shoulder, standing in an exposed position in a firefight and pointing your way is friend or foe. If the Western media have half a brain between them (which I doubt) they will keep their heads down until the situation is safer.
If they are so eager to get pictures at the risk of losing their lives, I have no sympathy for their losses.

Even more reason for reporters there to exercise EXTREME caution....

All I can say is too bad. This is as stupid as a meteorologist whining that he got wet when out reporting about a rainstorm. If you want to be near the action don't bitch about what happens to you. People like zaxatron need to get a life already. All you idiots can do is complain and make everything seem like America's fault. Why don't you go protest or something. Maybe lay down on 5th avenue again with the other "concerned citizens". Or maybe go to Oakland and prevent supplies from being sent out. Hey, anyone got a bulldozer?

Yeah, I thought the camera seeming a missile launcher as well. A sharpshooter could be hiding there... or not, it doesn't matter however...

...because the cameras showed the area was calm, and that the tank took *two* minutes to aim accurately, showing someone doubting about firing or not and then finally firing.

An investigation *is* required. There have been 11 periodist killed since the start of the war:

Paul Moran (Australian, ABC), Terry Lloyd (British, ITN), Kaveh Golestan (Iran�an, BBC), Michael Kelly (USA, Washington Post), Christian Liebig (German, Focus), Julio Anguita Parrado (Spanish, El Mundo), Tarek Ayub (Jordanian, Al Yazira), Jos� Couso (Spanish, Telecinco) y Taras Protsyuk (Ukranian, Reuters), plus two more I don't know, plus kurdish interpreter Kamaran Abdurazaq Muhamed (BBC)

I'm sorry but when I hear this I think two things, HURRAH!

And a mental image of the Reporters in their last minutes.

"There is an M1A2, very rare in these parts until the thorny porcupine Bush forced them here. Shhh, we stirred its attention, let us zoom in and take a closer look. The barrel is rising, possibly to shoot something, those evil Americans are always willing to shoot first, and ask questions later. Wait wait...it has stopped, oh no, there it goes again. It is as if it is seeking something...ah a blast in our general direction"------end transmission

The point is for all you intelligent people, that the Hotel Palestine was one of those places that the army was advised not to hit because there were international journalists.

The journalist also confirmed there was no fire coming from the hotel at the time.

I think your bloody marines, are killing machines and the soldier that took that shot just enjoyed having an experience at shooting something.

It goes the same way as they exploded the statue of Saddam Hussein and all the vandalism, the terrosism they are responsible for.

All you pro war supporters that you might have got ridden of the regime but at what price:

1) Global word hatred
2) Cold murder of thousands of people, women, children, old people.
3) Terror will still go on against the US with what you have done now, you have given the terrorists once more reason.

Don't give me your bull# argument of freedom for IRAQ. Is this how you set people free, by bombing the shiit out of them?

You'll be begging for America once that Nazi Flag is flying over your head. And don't think it won't be.

Anybody who is in an enviornment that is hazardous to their health, willing or not, has a very likely chance for becomeing a target. Even if not an intentional one. It is very "HOT" in a "Combat Zone" and death is usually the intent of the equipment being used. So if you can't take the heat get the HECK out of the combat zone!

Reporters have been targeted by many forces friendly and non. In the past they were more likely to be targets, as the cameras they carried looked more like rocket launchers as they were held on the shoulders.
Most important thing is everyone knows they are takeing a chance when going near a combat zone, noone is to blame but themselves.

Originally posted by zaxatron
Read this story:

www.foxnews.com...

The US Army has responded with a mighty blast to gun fire from the hotel killing a journalist and injuring others.

Isn't this over-reacting? I am sure those soldiers are pretty safe under the depleted uranium layer of their tank.

This is a typical example of US arrogance and show of power. Also to many civilian deaths and injuries so far.

Depleted uranium layer of thier tank?!!! WTF are you smokeing crack head bin wadden!!

For the record TANKS DO NOT have layers of uranium. Try the ROUNDS/"BIG BULLETS" they fire! If your going to flap your dick beaters, I ADVISE you know wtf your talking about. And if for some reason you can support your ignorant view of Armor, try supplying links to show it.

You know what really bugged me? Was that stupid reporter who was all crying and going "h-e- d--d-i-ed right in--in f-f-ff-ront o-f me *WAAAA*"

Whatever happend to all the Ernie Pyles???

I mean it's one thing to mourn, and to lose it in privacy, but well, probably wasn't her fault, it was the nosy reporters...they can't give anyone privacy anymore those dumb bastards.

Remember, it was the Paparotzie (not spelt right?) who killed Princess Diana...

Originally posted by MakodFilu
Yeah, I thought the camera seeming a missile launcher as well. A sharpshooter could be hiding there... or not, it doesn't matter however...

...because the cameras showed the area was calm, and that the tank took *two* minutes to aim accurately, showing someone doubting about firing or not and then finally firing.

An investigation *is* required. There have been 11 periodist killed since the start of the war:

Paul Moran (Australian, ABC), Terry Lloyd (British, ITN), Kaveh Golestan (Iran�an, BBC), Michael Kelly (USA, Washington Post), Christian Liebig (German, Focus), Julio Anguita Parrado (Spanish, El Mundo), Tarek Ayub (Jordanian, Al Yazira), Jos� Couso (Spanish, Telecinco) y Taras Protsyuk (Ukranian, Reuters), plus two more I don't know, plus kurdish interpreter Kamaran Abdurazaq Muhamed (BBC)

No one answer that, no one cares and no one has blamed that tank. Instead, you are almost calling the periodists stupid bastards, even murderers (some quote I saw comparing them with the paparazzi that killed princess Diana).

...you are nazis.