I don't see any point in arguing semantics since I wasn't trying to diminish the horror of going through an attack like this (regardless of whether or not it was intentional).

It really isn't an issue of emotion or maturity for me, since I don't know anybody who was part of the USS Liberty crew and I wasn't even alive when the attack happened.

I care about this because:

1) I have a great deal of respect for our military.

2) This attack was terrible, whether it was intentional or not. These guys weren't in a war zone or some place where one should expect to be attacked. The crew of the USS Liberty was the victim of a major screw up. If the attack was unintentional, it was a military intelligence "screw up". If the attack was intentional, it was a moral/ethical "screw up". It's a tragedy either way. These men deserve our respect and sympathy for what they went through, and their heroism in defending their ship should be recognized.

3) There is reason to believe that the incident wasn't properly investigated.