Battle of mogadishu key questions?

BeenThereDoneThat

Should the US be involved in future genocides concerning third world countries?

Why did the UN limit our involvement, was this helpful for the situation?

If these people were white and were Europeans or Americans, would we have sat back and watched while mass genocide was displayed?

What else could we have done, prior and post war?

What consequences would arise if we did nothing at all?

Were the Americans lives that were sacrificed worth the cause?

Was this a Nobel cause? Is American Policies just "policing" the world for our own political agenda and gains?

How do the Somalians feel towards our involvement?

Nightwind

"WE" didn't feel anything. There was an outcry for aid and it wasn't right for them to be starving. So we went in to first deliver supplies in good faith and charity to a country that needed them.
The problems arose when the warlords and Taliban came in and stole the food & supplies that were for the people. They were executing their own people in the street that tried to get food. So after Bush 41 gave the food, the situation became more grave under Clinton 42 and he ended up with a discraceful retreat after our Army rangers were shot down and disgraced in the streets of Mogadishu.
It hurt out credibility and gave the warlords the idea that America was too wimpy to stay the course and couldn't take losses.
So, your first question is easily rebutted by anyone with a mind toward charity.
As for other questions one might ask;
1. Why America feels the need to be charitable. After all, sure, we have built nations, given aid and liberty to many at great personal expense. But now wars are costing more , can Americ continue to be so free giving and charitable when it comes to the future ?
2. Shouldn't we have a policy of not sending in unsupported troops so as not to repeat the Mogadishu episode ?
3. Why didn't we 'finish the job' instead of help another country gain independance ? After all, America has helped so many.....except for countries that don't seem to have any way of paying us back monitarily or politically...(like Africa) ?
4. If Somalia is intending on being a rogue nation, why is America too squimish (compared to its military might and actions of the past) to just label them criminals and bomb them to the stone age and be done with it ?
5. I know we have an all volunteer military force, but when will Washington actually come up with policy where they put the troops first rather than some 'experiment with their lives' policy then back up later if its needed ?

Cut Throat B****

They were starving and we were sending in shipments of food but they were being stolen by Aided and his men. We had a risky opportunity to capture some of his top men while they had a meeting in the middle of town, but the men could see us coming. They had primitive plans with things like children starting tire fires for warnings. Then our man fell when he was trying to fast rope down so we had to rescue him. It just all went to crap after that. There was just nothing that went right and it resulted in the death of 18 fine young men.

The father of Casey Joyce (from Texas) gave a few great presentations after the battle. He has now also died and was buried next to his son at Arlington.

EDIT: I agree with Mark F - the book is much better than the movie!

Mark F

You need to read Mark Bowden's book "Blackhawk Down". Don' watch the movie that was made from it, read the book. It is a quick read and will tell you everything you need to know.

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