'I'm No Hero' -Former Iraq Captive Jessica Lynch

MaconAreaOnLine ^ | 11/6/03

[TheWriterInTexas]

It's not unrealistic that Lynch would recall only the most positive moments of her time as a POW. If she did not have a strong coping mechanism in place, her mind would create a "zone" for her to retreat to, protecting her from abusive events through selective amnesia. She could retreat out of the zone in the presence of friendlies and would certainly be "aware" during her rescue.

She will, in all likelihood, remember everything eventually. The subconscious has a way of bubbling up, in dreams, in flashes of memories, in sudden spurts.

Ask anyone who has been through a severely traumatic experience, particularly if it involved another person, repeated abuse, or a weapon of some sort. You would think they could remember every detail of such a horrible event, but their memory will be very selective, such as certain sounds, turns of phrase, specific acts. This is another coping mechanism.

As to the rape, that was confirmed by the doctors, not Lynch. She has no memory of it. Again, not a surprise.

Please remember that Lynch never asked for all the hype, never asked to have false stories circulated about her, never claimed to be a hero, and would most certainly trade all this "fanfare" for the full use of her legs again.

You may think her unworthly of all the praise; that is your perogative and many would agree...but she is certainly not worthy of such scorn.

[Empireoftheatom48]

Soldiers are responsible for their weapons not armorers. Armorers they fix the big problems like broken stocks, firing pins, broken sights, etc. The ultimate person responsible for maintenence and the proper function of his weapon is the GI.

[#3Fan]

Let me know when you are ready for rational discourse.

Never with you.

[Cacophonous]

That's what I've been saying.

[ppaul]

Is Israel a sick culture?

Are they well?

[iranger]

With your position to defend....its not surprising.

[#3Fan]

With your position to defend....its not surprising.

Defend against what? You haven't said anything to defend against.

[iranger]

"Defend against what? You haven't said anything to defend against."

Evidently I said something you found worth commenting on. Now do you have something substantive to say? Expound upon theory that men are more apt to not report it and how this relates to military personnel matters.

[#3Fan]

Evidently I said something you found worth commenting on. Now do you have something substantive to say? Expound upon theory that men are more apt to not report it and how this relates to military personnel matters.

You said 0% of male POWs have been raped. If I were a male POW and was treated in such a matter, there's no way anyone would ever find out about it. I'd take some vigilante justice if I could. A female rape victim is seen as a victim and someone to be defended. A male rape victim would be seen as an oddity and therefore males would be less likely to admit rape. It's a credit to Lynch that she took this upon herself so that maybe those with her that were treated in the same manner (if they were) may be able to get justice if we can find those responsible as this goes on.

[newcats]

Is Israel a sick culture?
Are they well?
Nice cop out answer. I am impressed.

[iranger]

"You said 0% of male POWs have been raped."

Thats correct. Zero percent from Gulf War I.

"If I were a male POW...."

Its bad policy to make policy based on hypotheticals. The facts reported remain...0% men, 100% women. Thats a huge gap, even if it were 1% or 10% men, its huge.

"It's a credit to Lynch that she took this upon herself so that maybe those with her that were treated in the same manner (if they were) may be able to get justice if we can find those responsible as this goes on."

My comments do not pertain to Miss Lynch except that she should not have been put in such a situation. Pentagon brass should be ashamed of themselves. I wish Miss Lynch the best.

[bimbo]

They've been giving them out for less for 40 years, why've you never complained before?

Read my post - I have no complaints.

[bimbo]

The Air Force gave a Bronze Star to an E-3 in Ohio who worked in a planning office about the same time PFC Lynch got hers. Of course hardly anyone was upset about that Bronze Star.

If what you say was more widely known, there would be a world of "upset" coming down.

[bimbo]

Perhaps that might clear things up for you a bit.

No clarification was necessary ... Jessica Lynch's Bronze Star was issued "for heroism" ... just like yours.

[#3Fan]

Thats correct. Zero percent from Gulf War I.

You're positive that the Baathists wouldn't stoop to such lows?

Its bad policy to make policy based on hypotheticals.

Who's making policy? I just don't think that men would report it as often as women.

[#3Fan]

Read my post - I have no complaints.

Uh huh.

[#3Fan]

No clarification was necessary ... Jessica Lynch's Bronze Star was issued "for heroism" ... just like yours.

Actually, for meritorious service.

[iranger]

"Who's making policy?"

Generally, thats the way these things work. People do studies, they study the facts learned within those studies, and they draw conclusions. These are Pentagon studies. Rest assured new ones are being done on Gulf War II, although whether anyone wants to run with this political football is doubtful. You can be sure of one thing though, no one examining the facts gleaned discounts them because hypothetically men may not report being raped more opten than women. Hypotheticals can't be proven and make for sloppy work.

[#3Fan]

I simply think a male is less likely to report a rape than a female. I'll just put it as simple as that and not cloud it up with probability studies or whatever. I think it's self-evident and if you don't want to believe it then don't.

[iranger]

Thanks for the depth of your comments. I think your conjured theory doesn't hold much water. A tidbit from Gulf War I, there is only one documented case of an American POW who denied being raped only to later recant. Surprise, it was a female. It seems she feared that acknowledging her treatment would limit her ability to progress as a pilot.