Saturday, January 15, 2005
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5 Comments:
One mans opinion does not make the media or the hundreds of others who have spoken out against what is going on in Iraq, liars. Nor does it make what is reported lies or misleading. I've read dozens of reports from Iraqi's themselves, and they by a majority do not share this soldier's opinion.
I can understand that in order to continue doing what they must do, it is impairitive that soldiers try to view the situtation the way this Lt Colonel does. I do not blame them. But, neither do I accept as validation what they report.
Anyone who thinks Iraq is better and safer today than before this war was brought down upon them, never visited Iraq prior to March of 2003. Just as anyone who thinks the world is safer because Saddam is no longer in power has a very narrow view of the world and the word safer. Terrorism is alive and thriving in the world around us. No recent attacks on US soil does not meand the world is safer. It just means we may well be lulling ourselves into yet another pre-9/11 false sense of security.
Wanda, do you not believe the words of an officer over those of a simple soldier? Maybe he has better access to a wider view of the situation, don't you think?
Thanks for the link Tom, very informative.
Tom, I know you are not suggesting that an officer is a better soldier than an enlisted man. Because we all know that simply isn't true. In fact all too often the officer is sitting in the rear in a tent, smoking cigarettes, drinking coffee while ordering the enlisted into battle. No, I do not give the officer's words anymore weight than anyone elses. The myth that officers are men of honor and class is just that a myth. As the wife, and daughter of former military men (one an officer the other enlisted) I know all too well that one is no better or honorable than the other.
In fact I would more likely believe the officer capable of shorring up his story in hopes it would make it into the press.
Just as the situation at Abu Ghraib, proves, the lowly will pay and the officers will close ranks to protect their own. Have you an explination for why we have yet to see a commanding officer punished for the incidents of abuse? Of course why should the military be any different than our society.
Wanda at Words on A Page
Wanda, thanks for your comment. I'm afraid you may have gotten a little confused along the way somewhere. I didn't say or imply anything about differences between officers and enlisted personnel.
Wow, this is an interesting debate. I was watching a "Frontline" program on PBS. It was talking about reporting from Iraq. This program said that most reporters depended upon third party sources for their reports.
In light of this, I would not dismiss this soldier's viewpoint. He is there. Of course his viewpoint is slanted and a Battalion Commander is much more gung-ho than your average Private, but I would venture to guess that it is better than a left-leaning journalist getting possible dubious information from a third-party source.
I'll tell you soon, what is really going on.
Kev
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