The truth ... generally speaking

Brigadier General Vincent Brooks of the US Army was the public face of military operations during the Iraq conflict. At media briefings at the US Central Command in Qatar he demonstrated a deft use of language to sanitise the more objectionable aspects of battle. Here is a small sample.

REPORTER: Do you know how many civilians were killed in today's missile attacks on Baghdad?
BROOKS: I do not have that information available at the present time.
REPORTER: But you do accept civilians were killed?
BROOKS: I am aware that following that incursion several civilians are now exhibiting negative life-force indications.
REPORTER: In a so-called "friendly fire" incident, US bombs have killed 18 Kurds and injured 45 people on the road to Diberjan in northern Iraq. Are you aware one of those killed was a translator working for BBC News?
BROOKS: Yes, I am aware of that embedded media representative.
REPORTER: I don't think he was embedded with any military unit.
BROOKS: I think you'll find he now is embedded - in the road to Diberjan.
REPORTER: Are you aware of the horrific injuries sustained by a 12-year-old boy, Ali Abbas, after a US missile struck his Baghdad home?
BROOKS: I do have some information on that particular incident involving collateral damage.
REPORTER: Are you aware of the extent of his injuries?
BROOKS: I am aware the individual in question now has symmetrical negative connections with his ulna, radius and humerus and various other extremists.
REPORTER: Did you say extremists?
BROOKS: I meant extremities.
REPORTER: Don't you think it's outrageous that such a young boy - an innocent bystander - has been so tragically injured?
BROOKS: We prefer to view the incident as disarming a potential future terrorist.
REPORTER: But both his parents were killed too.
BROOKS: They were permanently liberated from Saddam's sadistic regime, that is true.
REPORTER:Leaving aside your professional responsibilities, if it's shown that Saddam Hussein was killed in the missile attack on the al-Saah Restaurant, do you have any personal comment on a fellow human being's loss of life?
BROOKS: Well I certainly hope he's resting in pieces.