Posted on 11/19/2004 8:53:17 PM PST by BigRedState
FRENCH SOLIDERS OPEN FIRE ON INNOCENT CIVILAINS ON THE IVORY COAST (WARNING VERY GRAPHIC VIDEO)
The smiper sure as hell wasn't the only one shooting. There sounds like at least 4 people were shooting, one being that guy that was pointed out by the pole without a helmet with a famas.
Whew! That was a close one. I think I know what happened. I suddenly got mooselimb fever. I could see another lot of indigenous people wiped out plus what a bonus it would have been to stick it up the frenchies! But you are a hundred percent correct. It was the signs in English that tipped it, but not until you pointed that out. This aussie's got a lot to learn. Thanks for the lesson and sorry I was hostile. (Robert the Bruce is my hero.)
The soldier is seen firing in the first video, of course we don't know what he is firing at.
This is not a professional video, of course all the pros are in Iraq trying to file American abuses, but even if it propaganda, it has to be disturbing for the French.
Some observations (based solely on the two videos):
The demonstrators were in the thousands, but the films show no hostile intent ie. rifles, clubs, machettes, or even rocks.
The French were well armed with armored vehicles and behind barbed wire.
Even if the crowd decided to charge the French, they would have had plenty of time to react (excepting for snipers or heavier weapons).
The fact that unarmed people died and hundreds were injured indicates a failure on the part of the French.
That does not mean that the videos show the whole story, but there is definitely a story here that needs telling. I am sure that BBCCNNCBAABCNBC will get right on it.
I'm not buying it at all! I just get so tired of listening to this being compared to Kent State or with our soldiers in Iraq in April or anything else they can use to try to make America look as guilty or worse than the bad guys.
I really don't care what is happening with or to the French unless it involves our soldiers.
You mean the sniper carrying a French military ID card? That one?
bookmarking for later.
Sorry for being nuanced. Next time balls out statement and no attempt to be cheeky.
You will find signs in English anywhere people expect CNN might pick up a feed. Even the Palis know that they can use US TV to sell their message.
Bump
It is why I like Aussies.
Well I don't think that I would go quite that far though it's extremely close. But there is one way in which Monica (Bellucci not Belluchi) beats the pants off of Sophie (did I just say that?) and the other chick - Monica dosen't live in France.
http://radioci.embaci.com/englishdownload/frenchsoldiershootingcivilians1.mpg
It starts with a fairly normal protest crowd, chanting, singing, and gestures (mooning, Kiss my a$$, type of stuff). Rowdy, but not especially acting angry.
There is a cut in the video, to (from behind a wall) the troops. No one appears to be close to the troops.
The troops appeared to be firing over the crowd, from across a street/sidewalk, behind barbed wire and bushes, from on top of the vehicles.
IMHO, this just made the crowd mad, although there appeared to be some wounded.
My bet is that after that, the crowd started getting really ugly. Expressions on the faces looked like they were 18 shades of pi$$ed off.
Here's the mass media reply :
LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/africa/11/06/ivorycoast.ap/
who's headline reads "Ivory Coast mobs clash with French".
LINK: http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041107-125851-3115r.htm who's headline reads "Mobs attack French in Ivory Coast:
I just found it to be as poetic justice that the only sign of aggression and vandalism from the "mobs" was the burning of none other but a UN van!
I don't think you'd be looking at a soldier's ID, if he had simply been involved in a military operation. His room, the I.D., the rest of the report indicate that this guy was NOT carrying out his duties as a member of the military.
Personally, I think we should watch the reactions to this from France, the UN and the MSM.
THAT might be even more telling about this.
Glad that's cleared up. Thanks!
The British and Americans are seperated by a common language it seems.
Well folks, I'm off to sleep.
Good night.
Keep warm in those 'jammies. It's snowing over here (Denver).
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