You had the advantage of researching the event before I did. To familiarize myself before responding, I Googled news reports - the first one I read said it happened 9:30 at night. Their error - hence my error.
As for the "split second" and "reflex" issues, I've already explained that in terms of training tank crewmen for combat - in general. For that specific incident, the radio chatter was confusing, as it often is during combat. The only point I'm trying to convey is that people in combat can make mistakes; but based on information the Captain was receiving, the person on the hotel balcony was a threat. He took the appropriate action to protect his soldiers - whether it happend over eight seconds or ten minutes.
Selecting a building in the middle of a live combat situation for special protection with an invisible 'force field' is wishful thinking. The senior officer's 'no fire' comment: "even if there is an artillery piece on the roof" was asinine.
I've given my opinion; you're intitled to yours. The only difference is mine is based on experience; yours is a stereotypical anti-military "OMG, it HAS to be a military whitewash!"
SEE: Abu Ghraib and read "Embedded: The Media at War in Iraq", Bill Katovsky and Timothy Carlson
no subject
As for the "split second" and "reflex" issues, I've already explained that in terms of training tank crewmen for combat - in general. For that specific incident, the radio chatter was confusing, as it often is during combat. The only point I'm trying to convey is that people in combat can make mistakes; but based on information the Captain was receiving, the person on the hotel balcony was a threat. He took the appropriate action to protect his soldiers - whether it happend over eight seconds or ten minutes.
Selecting a building in the middle of a live combat situation for special protection with an invisible 'force field' is wishful thinking. The senior officer's 'no fire' comment: "even if there is an artillery piece on the roof" was asinine.
I've given my opinion; you're intitled to yours. The only difference is mine is based on experience; yours is a stereotypical anti-military "OMG, it HAS to be a military whitewash!"
SEE: Abu Ghraib
and read "Embedded: The Media at War in Iraq", Bill Katovsky and Timothy Carlson