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The New York Times; By the Associated Press
Published September 3, 2008
On Wednesday morning (September 3, 2008), it was confirmed that at least 15 people were killed in an attack in a village in Pakistan. The victims included women and children living in the village close to the Pakistan - Afghanistan border. Since this is a very recent story, not everything has been confirmed. It is confirmed that the attack involved U.S.- led forces, however, they ha
ve stated that they have no report of it happening. Witnesses say that American soldiers started firing soon after an American helicopter landed in the village. One witness also said, "as the owner of a home nearby came outside with his wife, the American and Afghan soldiers started firing... the troops entered the house and killed seven other people."
This isn't the first time that U.S.-led military action had crossed the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan. There have been incidents before resulting in the deaths of Pakistanis, such as when 11 Pak
istan soldiers died after a U.S. bomb hit the border of Pakistan. The U.S. rule allows military to fly aircraft a few miles into Pakistan territory, as well as enter the territory when in "hot pursuit" of al-Qaida fighters.
In America, it is written in our Declaration of Independence that Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are all Human Rights. They are rights that we are born with, and rights that are protected by our government. While it is comforting to know that our life and our liberty are being protected through our government, it makes me feel uneasy knowing that innocent civilians are being killed in the process. It seems to me that throughout this war, civilian deaths have become more and more of a normality. It makes me wonder, how far is too far? When is this considered justified and when is it unjustified? What sense and level of caution should our military be taking as they aim to protect our life and liberty? Does it matter if we take the life and liberty of civilians in other countries? If it is our birth-right, does it make it theirs as well? Since life and liberty are two of our most precious rights as Americans, I would think that it would be our obligation not to infringe on those same rights of others.
ve stated that they have no report of it happening. Witnesses say that American soldiers started firing soon after an American helicopter landed in the village. One witness also said, "as the owner of a home nearby came outside with his wife, the American and Afghan soldiers started firing... the troops entered the house and killed seven other people."This isn't the first time that U.S.-led military action had crossed the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan. There have been incidents before resulting in the deaths of Pakistanis, such as when 11 Pak
istan soldiers died after a U.S. bomb hit the border of Pakistan. The U.S. rule allows military to fly aircraft a few miles into Pakistan territory, as well as enter the territory when in "hot pursuit" of al-Qaida fighters.In America, it is written in our Declaration of Independence that Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness are all Human Rights. They are rights that we are born with, and rights that are protected by our government. While it is comforting to know that our life and our liberty are being protected through our government, it makes me feel uneasy knowing that innocent civilians are being killed in the process. It seems to me that throughout this war, civilian deaths have become more and more of a normality. It makes me wonder, how far is too far? When is this considered justified and when is it unjustified? What sense and level of caution should our military be taking as they aim to protect our life and liberty? Does it matter if we take the life and liberty of civilians in other countries? If it is our birth-right, does it make it theirs as well? Since life and liberty are two of our most precious rights as Americans, I would think that it would be our obligation not to infringe on those same rights of others.
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