Civilian deaths. second time this week

Very hard to wage war in a pleasant manner

clipped from www.nytimes.com Helicopter Fire Kills Iraqis, Days After Sadr City Battle BAGHDAD, Oct. 23 — Gunfire from an American helicopter killed 11 people, including women and children, after it came under fire north of Baghdad on Tuesday, according to a statement by the military. The episode was the second this week in which multiple Iraqi deaths resulted from a United States combat action. The Iraqi police and witnesses put the toll higher, at 16 dead, and recounted a confusing scene in which local people were trying to help a wounded man who was apparently an insurgent as an American helicopter buzzed overhead. “The locals went to check if he was dead and gathered around him,” Mohanad said of the insurgent, “but the helicopter opened fire again and killed some of the locals and wounded others.” When another group tried to carry the wounded and dead to houses to provide first aid, Mohanad said, the helicopter shot at four houses, killing and wounding more people.