Carol... you're right that these horrors are presented to us as isolated incidents committed by basically good people who have been pushed "over the edge".   Notice how even the Times article pointed out that this area was a "hotbed of terrorism", and that US troops had been killed there three months previously. A subtle way of trying to excuse shocking brutality.

What is most sad is that many do not realise that this sort of behaviour is a pattern in all wars and "terrorism" is endemic in all nations who make war.
A lot of people prefer to ignore this unpalatable side of war, I have already mentioned our Christian brothers, but now iI would like to include the Conservatives here who have been praised in other threads for their "grownupness".

"For he is an honourable man....So are they all...all honorurable men"

W S                         Ake.....