Soldiers: "We Were Under Orders to Kill All Military Age Young Men in Iraq"

I have not read any follow-up analysis of this to determine its veracity but if it's true - if these soldiers had reason to believe it's true.... my God.

From the Associated Press:

EL PASO, Texas (AP) - Four U.S. soldiers accused of murdering suspected insurgents during a raid in Iraq said they were under orders to "kill all military age males," according to sworn statements obtained by The Associated Press.

The soldiers first took some of the men into custody because they were using two women and a toddler as human shields. They shot three of the men after the women and child were safe and say the men attacked them.

"The ROE (rule of engagement) was to kill all military age males on Objective Murray," Staff Sgt. Raymond L. Girouard told investigators, referring to the target by its code name.

Yes men - and I use the term very loosely with him - like Rick Santorum whine how "there's a war against the war."

There fucking well should be, especially when the war is predicated entirely on lies, and fought with all the rules ignored.