[pedalling_faster]

i was already a "little" upset about the use of depleted uranium in Iraq (and afghanistan, and yugoslavia)

and now i'm just a little bit ... more upset.

well, not upset, really, just having another one of those dawning realizations about the Life-Destroying nature of the Bush-cheney admin. & the U.S. military machine.

"UK radiation jump blamed on Iraq shells"

RADIATION detectors in Britain recorded a fourfold increase in uranium levels in the atmosphere after the “shock and awe” bombing campaign against Iraq, according to a report.

The Sunday Times February 19, 2006

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 73,00.html

[FossilFool]

I don't know why they had to use depleted uranium. What was the strategic value in that?

[Dreamtwister]

Depleted uranium is used as an armor piercing munition because of it's increased mass (70% heavier than lead). It has a lower aerodynamic profile and more penetrating power. It has the added advantage of being incendiary, effectively turning every round into a tracer. In addition, the incendiary properties cause the projectile to sharpen in flight and during the impact event. The DU round also has a tendancy to explode once it has penetrated the armor, causing even more damage.

[Fishman]

I'm a bit confused why you attribute the DU shells to just the Bush Cheney group. If any Democrat had to lead us into any battle they would use the same weapons. Are you implying Democrats would use "kinder and gentler" weaponry?

[eastbay]

DU projectiles were used by the US during the attack on the Balkans and in the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo. Increasingly creative weapons cant be pinned on Bush.