U.S. using phosphorus bombs in Iraq

**CountArach** · 03-07-2010, 06:17

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

Ha, you people feel sorry for the Iraqis, but for once, the poor American soldiers may deserve slightly more, as they actually ride around in tanks filled with depleted uranium, as a part of their sandwich-like 3rd generation Chobham armour.

The Iraqis didn't sign up for it, though. The DU shells can create a dust that gets inhaled and affects civilians and military personnel alike.

**Kagemusha** · 03-08-2010, 08:57

Im feeling just as sorry for the US servicemen using material in their ammunition and weapons that will make them sick.

**Aemilius Paulus** · 03-08-2010, 19:29

Originally Posted by CountArach

The Iraqis didn't sign up for it, though.

Yeah, I argued the same in another thread:

Why should we care as much about the American troops? They all willingly joined the Armed Forces, killed some people perhaps, came under the banner of an aggressor nation, a global superpower taking on a small state, and then cannot stop talking when one or two soldiers die. While the civilians are caught up in this mess and die by the trainloads as a result of the struggle...

I mean, do not get me wrong. For one, I have immense respect for vets. I am not anti-American. I am not a pacifist. But this treatment of Iraqi vs. US deaths bothers me.

Originally Posted by Kagemusha

Im feeling just as sorry for the US servicemen using material in their ammunition and weapons that will make them sick.

Well, they do have a choice, as CountArach pointed out. It is not like you go into the Armed Forces to prolong your life. Better die later than now.

The real problem are the DNA mutations which will affect the children of the servicemen. That is a tragedy, because the children did nto do anything. And this happens all the time -after the Vietnam vets came back, they had more than their share of birth-defect grief. I wonder how long it will take for people to figure out that about half the stuff in the Armed forces is carcinogenic/mutagenic and deposit their sperm in a sperm bank before getting enlisted.

Not only will this protect your children from the adverse effects of the various substances in the line of duty, but also help retain the sperm quality which deteriorates just as well naturally. Turns out having an older male is just as dangerous as having an older female when it comes to the conception of children, as the recent research shows.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 03-08-2010, 19:53

Originally Posted by CountArach

Reminds me of a quote from Rep Jim McDermott (Quoted in Anti-Flag's song, Depleted Uranium Is A Warcrime) about talking to doctors whilst on a tour of Iraq:
"The doctor said, 'Women at the time of birth don't ask if it's a boy or a girl, they ask: Is it normal?'"

I don't trust a word out of that guy's mouth. He'll say anything, not to mention was convicted of violating federal wiretapping laws.

As for the story; the defect rate is disturbingly high relative to Europe. However, they don't say what the rate was before 2004, and they aren't sure what is causing the defects now. And this thread was about white phosphorous, not depleted uranium.

CR

**Kagemusha** · 03-08-2010, 19:54

Originally Posted by Aemilius Paulus

Well, they do have a choice, as CountArach pointed out. It is not like you go into the Armed Forces to prolong your life. Better die later than now.

The real problem are the DNA mutations which will affect the children of the servicemen. That is a tragedy, because the children did nto do anything. And this happens all the time -after the Vietnam vets came back, they had more than their share of birth-defect grief. I wonder how long it will take for people to figure out that about half the stuff in the Armed forces is carcinogenic/mutagenic and deposit their sperm in a sperm bank before getting enlisted.

Not only will this protect your children from the adverse effects of the various substances in the line of duty, but also help retain the sperm quality which deteriorates just as well naturally. Turns out having an older male is just as dangerous as having an older female when it comes to the conception of children, as the recent research shows.

Thank you for your reply, but i dont need an educational speech about the effects of DU, as i am completely aware of the health problems associated with it. The sad part in all this is that depleted Uranium is really not needed either in munitions nor armour. Example Tungsten provides similar effects, without so many of the health issues.
The problem is that Tungsten costs lot more then DU. So the reason for my saddness towards the health and lives of both civilians and soldiiers is that in order to save some money the US defence contractors are putting their own service men and women in harms way, while also causing unnecessary harm to civilians both with straight effects and effects causing health problems for generations to come.

So the real tragedy lies in there.

EDIT: Also CR i think we can agree that it is not white phosphorus thats causing birth defects in Jallujah? So the jump to DU is quite logical.

**Myrddraal** · 03-09-2010, 16:36

From what I remember seeing on TV they were saying that it wasn't so much DU dust but rather that rubble from the aftermath of the attacks had been bulldozed into the river, which is an important water supply in the area.

**Kagemusha** · 03-09-2010, 17:41

Originally Posted by Myrddraal

From what I remember seeing on TV they were saying that it wasn't so much DU dust but rather that rubble from the aftermath of the attacks had been bulldozed into the river, which is an important water supply in the area.

Well the investigations are still ongoing, but the abnormal rise of birthdefects are normally associated with radiation. Im sure we havent heard the last from this.

**Prince Cobra** · 03-09-2010, 20:24

I just saw the bbc report. Children are being born handicapped... I am lost for words... There is no bigger crime than harming one's children. Disgusting!

It may seem strange I will quote Machiavelli right now for I think he had caught the nature of war "War creates criminals, peace hangs them" War is a kind of legalising murder and it is not a random fact many of those participating in war are mentally handicapped (in a way) forever. Being a hero is just a propaganda, you are in fact a victim.

A man blamed to be a cynic caught the nature of the war but still there are so many "idealists" who did not, ironic isn't it?

**Kagemusha** · 03-09-2010, 20:58

Originally Posted by Prince Cobra

I just saw the bbc report. Children are being born handicapped... I am lost for words... There is no bigger crime than harming one's children. Disgusting!

It may seem strange I will quote Machiavelli right now for I think he had caught the nature of war "War creates criminals, peace hangs them" War is a kind of legalising murder and it is not a random fact many of those participating in war are mentally handicapped (in a way) forever. Being a hero is just a propaganda, you are in fact a victim.

A man blamed to be a cynic caught the nature of the war but still there are so many "idealists" who did not, ironic isn't it?

I think you hit nail straight to the head so does speak, with that post.