War Crimes in Fallujah
Today is Monday, 26 July 2010.
From April to December 2004, the US Marine Corps (with some British and Iraqi support) fought an ultimately successful battle to subjugate the city of Fallujah in Iraq, involving heavy fighting in a very congested urban setting.
A favourite weapon of the Marines at Fallujah (and of USA/USA forces throughout the country during the Conquest of Iraq) was depleted uranium (DU) projectiles, which were originally designed for primary use against armour and other think-skinned targets. While generating only approx. 60% of the level of radioactivity of natural uranium, DU has a half-life of approx. 4.468 billion years for its primary component, U-238. Obviously, use of DU projectiles creates permanent radioactive contamination, since areas of usage are never policed.
A recent article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2010, #7; see reference below) indicates that, in Fallujah from 2005-2009, cancer rates have increased, infant mortality has increased, and male births have declined. This is as one would expect when a mutagenic agent is present, such as DU contamination.
I must consider the manufacture and use of DU munitions to be a war crime and a crime against humanity.
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(The article referenced may be found at: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/7/7/2828/pdf)
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On this date in 1945, the U.S.S. Indianapolis arrived at Tinian Island in the Pacific, bearing components of the warhead for the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima.
On this date in 1947 President Harry Truman signed into law the National Security Act of 1947, creating the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Council.
On this date in 1948, President Truman signed an executive order abolishing segregation in the USA/USE armed forces.
On this date in 1990, President G. H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
From April to December 2004, the US Marine Corps (with some British and Iraqi support) fought an ultimately successful battle to subjugate the city of Fallujah in Iraq, involving heavy fighting in a very congested urban setting.
A favourite weapon of the Marines at Fallujah (and of USA/USA forces throughout the country during the Conquest of Iraq) was depleted uranium (DU) projectiles, which were originally designed for primary use against armour and other think-skinned targets. While generating only approx. 60% of the level of radioactivity of natural uranium, DU has a half-life of approx. 4.468 billion years for its primary component, U-238. Obviously, use of DU projectiles creates permanent radioactive contamination, since areas of usage are never policed.
A recent article in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2010, #7; see reference below) indicates that, in Fallujah from 2005-2009, cancer rates have increased, infant mortality has increased, and male births have declined. This is as one would expect when a mutagenic agent is present, such as DU contamination.
I must consider the manufacture and use of DU munitions to be a war crime and a crime against humanity.
_______________________________________________
(The article referenced may be found at: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/7/7/2828/pdf)
_______________________________________________
On this date in 1945, the U.S.S. Indianapolis arrived at Tinian Island in the Pacific, bearing components of the warhead for the atomic bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima.
On this date in 1947 President Harry Truman signed into law the National Security Act of 1947, creating the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Council.
On this date in 1948, President Truman signed an executive order abolishing segregation in the USA/USE armed forces.
On this date in 1990, President G. H. W. Bush signed into law the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
posted by HH at 3:25 PM
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