Troops commit mass "suicide"

[Annette1]

This IS a bizarre story!! The article mentions two things; potent narcotics (presumably used to overdose/kill themselves) and "The bodies of the US troops became misshapen such a way that they looked like 5000-year mummies," said a witness."

WHAT would cause the bodies to look like 5000 year mummies?? Also, according to the article, 21 men attempted suicide and five of the 21 are listed in critical condition. I'm wondering what they look like? I don't know of any narcotics that would have a corpse looking like a 5000 year old mummy in a few hours time. I will assume that the bodies were discovered within 24 hours.

There are hints at a motive offered (the killing of innocents is suggested).

Another cover-up of something to add to the ever growing list??

edit: URL added/ moderator

 

[Rich]

This IS a bizarre story!! The article mentions two things; potent narcotics (presumably used to overdose/kill themselves) and "The bodies of the US troops became misshapen such a way that they looked like 5000-year mummies," said a witness."

WHAT would cause the bodies to look like 5000 year mummies??

Phosphorus?

In the March 2005 edition of Field Artillery, officers from the 2nd Infantry's fire support element boast about their role in the attack on Falluja in November last year: "White Phosphorous. WP proved to be an effective and versatile munition. We used it for screening missions at two breeches and, later in the fight, as a potent psychological weapon against the insurgents in trench lines and spider holes when we could not get effects on them with HE [high explosive]. We fired 'shake and bake' missions at the insurgents, using WP to flush them out and HE to take them out."

[...]White phosphorus is fat-soluble and burns spontaneously on contact with the air. According to globalsecurity.org: "The burns usually are multiple, deep, and variable in size. The solid in the eye produces severe injury. The particles continue to burn unless deprived of atmospheric oxygen... If service members are hit by pieces of white phosphorus, it could burn right down to the bone." As it oxidises, it produces smoke composed of phosphorus pentoxide. According to the standard US industrial safety sheet, the smoke "releases heat on contact with moisture and will burn mucous surfaces... Contact... can cause severe eye burns and permanent damage."_http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2005/nov/15/usa.iraq

Also, according to the article, 21 men attempted suicide and five of the 21 are listed in critical condition. I'm wondering what they look like? I don't know of any narcotics that would have a corpse looking like a 5000 year old mummy in a few hours time. I will assume that the bodies were discovered within 24 hours.

There are hints at a motive offered (the killing of innocents is suggested).

Another cover-up of something to add to the ever growing list??

Looks like a cover-up, revenge attack? something is particularly odd about it.

edit: there is also this on a contested wiki page:

The article states it is "actually, deliquescent," that is, a dessicant. Can we get any information on the expected dessicant effect of WP-smoke on humans? Keep in mind that some causes other than actual burning, may result in a burnt-like appearance - these include frostbite, gangrene, mummification, etc

but the original source for that is not clear. _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:White_phosphorus_(weapon)

BTW, if you post an article to discuss Anette1, please include a link to the URL

 

[Annette1]

Thank you, Pob, for adding the link for me.

Phosphorus is a good one. Thank you for that information.

Sooo, I don't think 21 people injected/swallowed phosphorus. But hey, the connect the dots offered in the article and the prompting, suggested reasons all sound par for the circus ringleaders. Dead men tell no tales, or do they?

BTW: Can someone direct me to the instructions on how to link articles and how to post on a news item where the news item is? I can't seem to figure it out and I'm sure if it was a snake it woulda .............. I know I'm gonna be saying "ouch" soon. Thanx in advance.

 

[Rich]

BTW: Can someone direct me to the instructions on how to link articles and how to post on a news item where the news item is? I can't seem to figure it out and I'm sure if it was a snake it woulda .............. I know I'm gonna be saying "ouch" soon. Thanx in advance.

Hi, from the help at the top:

[Moderator's edit : added a "l" at the end of "ur"]

 

[anart]

Hi, from the [ur=http://www.cassiopaea.org/forum/index.php?action=help;page=post#tagsl]help[/url] at the top:

Annette, you can also simply copy and paste the link from the browser navigation window at the top of the SotT page where the story is - like this -
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/165479-Bizarre-16-US-troops-commit-mass-suicide-in-Iraq

It doesn't have to be fancy, just so the reader can quickly find out and read the story to which you're referring. Hope that helps.

 

[bedower]

What I find peculiar also about this story is that there is only one anonymous witness who makes the observation that the corpses 'looked like 5,000 year-old mummies'.

Why didn't he/she just say they looked dessicated?

There is something odd about this story, but a 'revenge attack' by whom?

 

[Annette1]

My take on this is that there are still some reporters trying to get the story out, even if it is a bit garbled. Possibilities: Official line - suicide by "potent narcotics", probable reason for the suicides is that the 21 troups were involved in the killing of innocents. (Probably had to be included in order to be released at all). The anonymous witness is the clue to what really may have caused the deaths/injuries as is the witness description of the corpses. I think Pob gave an excellent possibility. A revenge attack? Maybe the people this substance was used on figured they'd "return the favor." Course, I could be all wrong, wouldn't be a first. I just thought this story was so off the wall, but when you examine it closer, the things that don't really add up cause you to ask questions. Maybe that is the point to the article and it was a way to draw attention to it by those who would pause to question it.

Anart - thank you. will have to delve into it further. I'm on the computer learning curve big time.

 

[bedower]

This story is 'off the wall' all right!

If the witness is there, I can understand them wishing to remain anonymous. But the phrase used didn't show a great deal of respect or sympathy for the dead soldiers, osit.

My immediate thought with this story was that these soldiers were getting ready to 'blow the whistle', but I've been wrong before, too!

I think you are right, Annette; it doesn't add up.