Posted on 07/26/2007 4:26:20 AM PDT by TomB
A STATEMENT FROM SCOTT THOMAS BEAUCHAMP:
As we've noted in this space, some have questioned details that appeared in the Diarist "Shock Troops," published under the pseudonym Scott Thomas. According to Major Kirk Luedeke, a public affairs officer at Forward Operating Base Falcon, a formal military investigation has also been launched into the incidents described in the piece.
Although the article was rigorously edited and fact-checked before it was published, we have decided to go back and, to the extent possible, re-report every detail. This process takes considerable time, as the primary subjects are on another continent, with intermittent access to phones and email. Thus far we've found nothing to disprove the facts in the article; we will release the full results of our search when it is completed.
In the meantime, the author has requested that we publish the statement below. --The Editors
I am Private Scott Thomas Beauchamp, a member of Alpha Company, 1/18 Infantry, Second Brigade Combat Team, First Infantry Division.
My pieces were always intended to provide my discreet view of the war; they were never intended as a reflection of the entire U.S. Military. I wanted Americans to have one soldier's view of events in Iraq.
It's been maddening, to say the least, to see the plausibility of events that I witnessed questioned by people who have never served in Iraq. I was initially reluctant to take the time out of my already insane schedule fighting an actual war in order to play some role in an ideological battle that I never wanted to join. That being said, my character, my experiences, and those of my comrades in arms have been called into question, and I believe that it is important to stand by my writing under my real name.
--Private Scott Thomas BeauchampMy Diarist, "Shock Troops," and the two other pieces I wrote for the New Republic have stirred more controversy than I could ever have anticipated. They were written under a pseudonym, because I wanted to write honestly about my experiences, without fear of reprisal. Unfortunately, my pseudonym has caused confusion. And there seems to be one major way in which I can clarify the debate over my pieces: I'm willing to stand by the entirety of my articles for the New Republic using my real name.
JD Johannes pegged this guy exactly. I hope PVT Beauchamp enjoys his 15 minutes of fame. He has just taken B/1-18 INF out of the war for at least a week. He has wrecked his platoon leader's career. Blogging from theater is going to become even harder, thanks to him. He has brought dishonor and discredit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army. This Blue Falcon from FOB Falcon richly deserves what he has coming to him. He is The Surge's Lindi England.
Posted by: Cannoneer No. 4 at July 26, 2007 09:11 AM
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Paladin2b?
John Kerry II?? How many purple hearts does he have, by the way? Unfortunately there are all too many people willing to believe that what he said is true and that this is how our soldiers and marines behave. Those of us who know our soldiers and marines know better.
Thanks for the link. Bookmarked it.
I don't doubt there are probably some truths, half truths, and some lies. What is weird is that when I was an E-1, writing to a magazine (etc.), would have been the LAST thing on my mind. The FIRST thing on my mind was Vietnam. Would I go, what AO, my unit, etc.?
If Beauchamp reads this post, I want him to know that he has disgraced my unit, which has a long history of valor, The Big Red One.
No mission too difficult, no sacrifice too great.
5.56mm
On the other hand, there are close to a dozen threads on this topic, some with more posts than others. Amazingly, though, there are still people who are asking what we’re talking about. It’s not been on any broadcast news that I know of, except for a brief mention on Brit Hume last night.
You know Scania... I was saving that tidbit for their next move... Rats. But I didn’t want to make it into a they’re bashing him cause he’s gay (stupid, but they’ll do it), which then we have to reply, ‘see no gays in the military’, then it goes on infinitum... /s
Anyone that read his blog knows that too. I thought he was more of a trysexual myself... I guess you do what you have to for fame.
Lesson: Don’t send your kids to Columbia and umm... teach your kids morals from the beginning.
If you read this guy’s bio, he makes its it hard to believe he’s not an astroturf p.o.s.
By astroturf p.o.s. I mean someone who joined the service in order to build credibility for his attacks against the military later in his civilian career.
Yep, look at the virtual feeding frenzy going on right now in the blogosphere, and all the info/research that went on yesterday. That used to happen here. But no more.
Yesterday morning a google blog search yielded 1 result, it's now over 200.
You never did tell us exactly. Were you just googling or checking TNR for fresh info or do you have an RSS feed to watch fresh TNR blog posts automatically?
Pure dumb luck. I was surfing all the results for "Scott Thomas" and I think it was at Townhall or Hugh Hewitt's blog where they were taking TNR's blog to task for not addressing the issue, so I clicked on the link, and there was the statement.
I’m not in the habit of answering these email’s. It would be far too many. I appreciate all the support from home and I can assure you that not a single word of this was true. We’ve been fighting this fight for quite some time. Numerous soldiers within my unit have served on several deployments and this is my third year as a First Sergeant in this unit. My soldiers conduct is consistently honorable. This soldier has other underlining issues which I’m sure will come out in the course of the investigation. No one at any of the post we live at or frequent, remotely fit the descriptions of any of the persons depicted in this young man’s fairy tale. I can’t and won’t divulge any information regarding this soldier, but I do sincerely appreciate all the support from the people back home. Again, this young man has a vivid imagination and I promise you that this by no means reflects the truth of what is happening here. I’m currently serving with the best America has to offer. I have worked and fought closely with every soldier within my company and they are consummate professionals in an area most people can’t fathom. I’m proud of my soldiers and would gladly give my life for any one of them. Please continue to keep them with you in your prayers and thank God that we have these courageous men willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Americans, and the people of this struggling nation.
Sincerely,1SG Hatley
neverdem, could you use your ping list for this important update (that is, nevertheless, most certainly NOT breaking news).
I missed the request in the last line. See comment# 132 for a reply from Pvt. Scott Thomas Beauchump’s First Sergeant.
Ping to post 132.
Thanks for the update, TomB and neverdem!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1871795/posts?page=132#132
Maybe he can run for president one day. Heck, the last guy that phonied up stories of American atrocities did.
Because he had another blog, ElephantsKissing, which is now blank.
Also, all those messages deleted on the ghosts blog...
Tom, Dean Barnett had first dibs.
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