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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

The two missing US soldiers found - "tortured"

This may play wrong and this may sound bad, but at least it's over for these two poor soldiers. I have a bad feeling that we may soon see a video release documenting their last days.
The bodies of the two soldiers, Kristian Menchaca, 23, and Thomas L. Tucker, 25, were found in a brutally "tortured" condition, General Abdul Aziz Mohammed of the Iraqi defense ministry said.

"The two US soldiers were found in the Yusifiyah area near the power station and unfortunately their bodies show that they had been tortured and then killed viciously," the general told a news conference.

Looking at the adverbs being used in description, "brutally tortured," "viciously killed." I fear it's worse than my imaginings. Their bodies were found dumped in the street near the town Youssifiyah.

(In the AP version, "appeared to have been killed "in a barbaric way."")

UPDATE: They appear to have been beheaded, and the bodies showed other significant signs of abuse. But, Tony Snow sees it as a positive development that two US soldiers were abducted, subjected to torture, and beheaded:

(After Hadley answers a question, "brutal enemy," "any loss of life is a source of great regret.")

MR. SNOW: Let me add one other point, which is, David, as you probably read, in the aftermath of this there had been military activity. So maybe the most significant thing is a considerable amount of actionable intelligence has come out of it. We are seeing evidence that the Iraqi people are also sick of this. You saw it in some of the communications that have been aimed towards Zarqawi.

And you see in the aftermath of an episode like this that the Iraqi people are also stepping forward to try to be of assistance.

(Tip to Cartledge for the SMH link.)

7 Comments:

  • There's a special place in Hell for the barbarians who tortured and killed these boys... and for those pasty, soft men who sit it air conditioned offices and use these boys as political pawns in their perverse quest for power.

    Pricks. (I've got to find a better invective... but this one works so well.)

    By Blogger -epm, at 10:23 AM  

  • Yes and Yes.

    (And the normal cursing limitations for comments are waived for this post. So, feel free to let loose.)

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 10:29 AM  

  • Mike, there is a rather gruesome report at www.smh.com.au
    ...statement regarding the death of the two US soldiers, in the name of the Mujahedeen Shura Council which groups five insurgent organisations including al-Qaeda in Iraq

    By Blogger Cartledge, at 12:45 PM  

  • Wow. Beheaded. I found that "unable to determine the cause of death" from the US military a telling indication of just how bad it was.

    Anybody following in this thread, the link is here and the statement is near the bottom.

    http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/alqaeda-chief-beheaded-us-soldiers-report/2006/06/21/1150701561957.html

    Mike

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 1:13 PM  

  • Heavy duty stuff, and believable.
    I think I'll just go back to crooked European royals for a bit. At least there is some humour in that and a respite from the grimmness of this monster which has grown out of the war on terror.

    By Blogger Cartledge, at 1:49 PM  

  • Anybody who is supportive of the Bush regime has no right to be upset if these two were tortured to death. When you say it's okay for the US to use torture, you're going to end up with US soldiers being tortured. Is it wrong that these two were tortured? Yes. Is it wrong for the US to use torture in retaliation? Yes. Ultimately,the responsibility of these two US soldiers death by torture lies with those in the Bush regime who okayed it's use by us.

    By Blogger Lew Scannon, at 3:58 PM  

  • Lew, I've been hesitant to respond all day. I really believe that some of this would've been done whether the US tortured or not(although whether there would be enough support for "Al Qaeda in Iraq" without it is another question.)

    And, I am fervently against torture for that reason, for its ineffectiveness, and for its impact on US standing and influence. (not to mention I find it morally repugnant.)

    But, I'm not going to make that argument today. I agree, but in the wake of this horror, I'm not pushing it today.

    Mike

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 9:07 PM  

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