Some Context on "Civilian Casualties"

Earlier this month, Afghan military forces were attacked while on patrol by Taliban elements who had set up shop in a nearby village.  After hours of fighting, the Afghan forces requested backup from the US, who, after identifying the main buildings from which the fire was originating, dropped some precision-guided munitions on those buildings. 

In the media circus that followed, claims were made that over 100 civilians - mostly women and children, had been killed.  This prompted calls from the Afghan government to further limit U.S. offensive rules of engagement. 

After a thorough investigation, however, the U.S. is disputing the numbers, saying that of nearly 100 killed, only about twenty were civilians.

Why the disparity?  It's important to understand how things work in the war zone.  When word gets out that Uncle Sam pays reparations for collateral damage, suddenly everyone has some sort of damage.  When I was on patrol with the Marines in Helmand province, we would often have locals approach us with crudely written notes, which they claimed had been written by an unnamed U.S. Marine officer, saying things like "This man house bombed Ameriki pay damage him."  Obviously, these were crude forgeries, and caused much mirth on the part of the Marines, but it was clear the Afghans know that if they can prove damage by U.S. forces, they can get paid.

And that's part of what's behind the inflated numbers of civilian deaths in Afghanistan - gleefully reported by most Mainstream media outlets as fact.  Afghans are really no different than many of our own countrymen, who, upon realizing that Uncle Sam turns to "Uncle Sugar" whenever something bad happens, are quick to run, hat-in-hand to the nearest U.S. government representative to demand "reparations." 

Keep that in mind whenever you hear about the U.S. wantonly bombing women and children.  I can say from experience - the courageous Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Guardsmen and Marines who put their lives on the line for the Afghan people go out of their way to avoid hurting people who aren't trying to kill them, often at great peril to their own lives.