In memoriam of 66 children and 224 adults killed in a civilian jet by U.S. Marines on July 3, 1988 aboard the Iran Air Flight 655.

Unlike last night in Newtown, CT, no head of state of the First World shed a tear over these people defragmented by the U.S. missile. Unlike September 1983 when the Evil Empire shot down 269 in similar circumstances, no wave of grief and condolences across the world has arisen for these civil passengers. Unlike this morning in Newtown, the death of 66 children was not the absolute #1 in the mass media.

An accident? Of course, it was an accident, a clear human mistake, no doubts about that. But it’s all about attitude. The U.S. officer who fired the missile was 2 years later awarded the Legion of Merit “for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service” during the period covering the massacre of 290. All of the crew of the USS Vincennes were awarded Combat Action Ribbons for their service. The United States never acknowledged responsibility and never released an apology. Soon after the slaughter George Bush Father commented on this tragedy: “I’ll never apologise for the United States of America. Ever. I don’t care what the facts are.”

President Yeltsin publicly apologised to the Koreans for the 1983 Boeing tragedy. The German Chancellor apologised for the Holocaust, as well as the Pope. The United States of America are apparently beyond these moral categories.