Haitians Wary of Itchy U.S. Trigger Fingers

[seemslikeadream]

By Michael Christie
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (Reuters) - Married to an American, and no fan of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Louis Rene Balmir had no problem with U.S. Marines who landed in Haiti a month ago.

Now the professional security guard is not so sure as he lies on his side in a Port-au-Prince hospital bed, nursing the wounds from up to 10 American bullets.

"It was exactly like an ambush," Balmir told Reuters, drip feeds attached to both arms after two operations to repair his shredded intestines.

"I guess that is the way they do things, the big stick, the big M-16, and you have to just shut up. I don't think that's the American way, I refuse to accept that, and that's why I'm going to sue them."

more
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=4675069

[Judi Lynn]

1. We KILL HAITIANS NOW?

Is THAT o.k. with _Bush? No need to answer, of course.

Jeezus H. Christ.

From the article:

Skittish U.S. Marines, leading a 3,300-strong international peace force since Aristide was driven into exile on Feb. 29 by a monthlong revolt, have shot eight people so far, killing four.

At least three were suspected Aristide supporters, enraged at the departure of Haiti's first democratically elected leader in what many of them see as a U.S.-backed coup, and who had taken potshots at Marines.

The rest were civilians in their cars, cut to pieces at nighttime checkpoints after they failed to stop.
(snip/...)

[nonbelief]

2. Par For The Course

It's a common story everywhere now. U.S troops are trained to believe that any American life is more valuable than every non-American life.

Is it any surprise that U.S soldiers think it's okay to shoot kids, old women and cameramen?

[never cry wolf]

3. Welcome to DU nonbelief

It IS amazing the violence being done in our name.

Enjoy your stay here!

:hi:

[seemslikeadream]

4. Wounded in Haiti, Marine receives Purple Heart

by Gunnery Sgt. Mike Dougherty
Marine Forces South


PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Pfc. Will Hamilton was on the tail end of a nighttime patrol on the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti when an event occurred that would shake his very foundation and place him in a unique category he had never envisioned.

As the 19-year-old infantryman was within yards of his base camp set up at the presidential palace, his squad came under fire. Hamilton was hit in the left arm - setting off a whirlwind chain of events that would culminate in his receipt of a Purple Heart in a ceremony in Miami.

more

http://www.dcmilitary.com/marines/hendersonhall/9_12/features/28146-1.html

[Judi Lynn]

5. The situation would have never required his being there

had _Bush not set out to reverse Bill Clinton's decision to return Aristide to serve out his elected term. For terrible, terrible shame.

_Bush also delayed sending help until he was assured Lavalas was devastated, and so many Aristide supporters were slaughtered.