The United States occupation of Iraq after 9/11 has always
been the subject of controversy since President Bush had announced the plan.
Some saw the occupation as a method to oppose Western ideals on a nation in the
Middle East in the wake of a national tragedy, along with various other
reasons. Many families mourned the loss of loved ones who sacrificed their
lives in order to spread democracy and confiscate weapons of mass
destruction. Since the initial occupation
of Iraq we the public have been told no weapons of mass destruction either
chemical or nuclear were found in Iraq.
Today, the New York Times released a story which detailed
the account of a group of United States soldiers, whom were exposed to mustard
gas while in Iraq. In 2008 the group had discovered an estimated “5,000
chemical warheads, shells or aviation bombs” (New York Times). Soldiers whom
were exposed to mustard gas were denied treatment. Some of the troops were even
instructed to lie about the incident and even deny the existence of such
chemical weapons. It is estimated “17
troops and seven Iraqi policeman were exposed” (Christian Science Monitor).
On a separate a team of two snipers on a steak-out had
recovered a non-descript shell. The commanding officer upon obtaining the shell
deiced to pull out and return near their base. When the two shad come close to
base the shell was to be destroyed and disposed of. Upon destruction of the
shell the soldiers immediately became sick, the shell had contained saline gas.
The commanding officer had put his team at risk along with his entire base as
they raced back in order to receive treatment. The officers were given cover up
stories and continued to stay in service after their exposure to a deadly nerve
agent.
These are only two stories out of a New York Times
article which covers the stories in further detail, along with similar
incidents which occurred in Iraq.
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