More death

The situation in Iraq continues to spiral out of control with more death, destruction, and violence. While the US media continues to obsess over memos, the last failed war in Vietnam, and the sniping between the candidates.

Yesterday, US forces killed Mazen al-Tumeizi, a Palestinian working for Al-Arabiya. This is from the article in the Telegraph (UK):

Through the day, United States officers offered contradictory accounts of the incident and ordered an investigation.

"As the helicopters flew over the burning Bradley they received small arms fire from the insurgents in the vicinity of the vehicle," said Major Philip Smith of the 1st Cavalry Division. "Clearly within the rules of engagement, the helicopters returned fire destroying some anti-Iraqi forces in the vicinity of the Bradley."

However, witnesses said there were no Iraqi fighters in the area at the time.

This is reminiscent of the death of Tariq Ayoub a reporter for Al-Jazeera, which was reported in the news, but heartbreakingly documented in the The Control Room.

Is this just a coincidence? Are American forces targeting Arab media outlets? Since they don't own, or share the perspective of these stations (in contrast to oh say, Fox news or Clear Channel) is this how they are targeting dissent? It's a scary time indeed.