The good news is that the media sees itself losing, so it’s piling up evidence to use to continue to trumpet the mythical “Haditha Massacre” even if the trials don’t take place, or if the soldiers are tried and found innocent.
The issue is NOT the lack of witnesses. The problem with the socialist/liberal/Murtha persecution of these Marines is that the evidence exhonerates the Marines. They can impeach all of the witnesses. They can show the veracity of the Marines’ stories by matching bullet holes and trajectories with laser. They can look at intel reports. They can look at the other events of that entire day in Haditha with this unit and others.
They are preparing to lose, but they’re also preparing a world-class excuse for why they’re really right and the Marines are really wrong. And since the media controls the media, their story will get out.
America continues to need a fast, truthful form of disseminating factual information. It does not exist yet, so the media gets to set the ground rules for any discussion.
I see it exactly the same way, padre.
This article, of course, also doesn’t mention that many of the so-called “witnesses” did not see the events. They are doing what people do: repeating what they’ve heard. Much of their testimony, especially regarding the actions in house number four, would never stand up under cross-examination.
Knowing this, our government would never want Iraqis to be ripped apart on the witness stand in a courtroom. How would that look? < sigh >
The prosecution is preparing for defeat, as you say. And a substantial percentage of the population (even inside the Corps) will always think there was a massacre in Haditha.
PS. I heard once that half the population believes that Joanne of Arc was Noah’s wife. ;)