Chamblee54

PG enjoys learning a new word. Today’s find is so new, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, or MWD, does not have a definition. This new noun comes to us courtesy of Democracy Now.  “Newly released documents show NATO forces have prioritized the avoidance of so-called “friendly fire” incidents in Afghanistan more than reducing killings of Afghan civilians. According to The Independent of London, a British military panel concluded that “avoidance of collateral damage, or neutracide, is a secondary consideration,” with “the primary focus … improving operational effectiveness, while reducing the risk of fratricide.” In the latest known attack, five Afghan children were wounded last week in a bombing from a British attack helicopter.”
Before he looked in the dictionary, PG went to uncle google. It turns out that Neutracide 64 is an industrial detergent. “Neutracide 64 is a concentrated, neutral pH, multi-purpose, germicidal detergent and deodorant for use on hard, non-porous surfaces such as floors, walls, metal surfaces, stainless steel, porcelain and plastic. Ideal for use in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, colleges, and many other facilities.” This site does not mention collateral damage applications.
PG was puzzled. Was neutracide, as in killing women and children, a real word? Or, have the scriptwriters at Democracy Now been creative beyond the call of duty? Another option is that aerial application of Neutracide64 is being used in combat. Another consultation with uncle google is in order.
A search was done on the phrase “a British military panel concluded that “avoidance of collateral damage, or neutracide, is a secondary consideration”. Awareandoutraged has, verbatim, the same report as DemocracyNow. Commondreams has quotes from military sources, who claim that the Taliban has killed more women and children that US forces. The rest of the google first page repeats what these stories say. The report from the “British Military Panel” was not found.
Historic pictures are from ” The Special Collections and Archives,Georgia State University Library”.