An Unfitting 'Tribute' A cousin of Rachel Corrie responds to her critics

OpinionJournal.com ^ | 4/13/05 | BRIJ PATNAIK

[SJackson]

Is it possible you missed the picture of a clearly mad Corrie setting fire to an American flag amidst a sea of children?

I missed it in a sense, as do most people looking at the pictures. She was mad, but not mad. Look at the kids, they're smiling, excited. IMO, that photo, like most in Gaza and the West Bank, was staged. He "madness" was of a rational sort.

[prion]

Since when is 24 a teenager?

[prion]

Look at the kids, they're smiling, excited.

My interpretation was, they're smiling, embarrassed. As in, "who is this goofy American and why is she acting like this?"

I often get the impression from news photos of peace protesters that Middle Easterners think they're as nutty as we do, and even more puzzling. What's a Palestinian 12-year-old to make of a hippie?

[MarMema]

interesting funds

other leads I would like to follow

[MarMema]

Don't underestimate Rachel and her ilk. I think there is a lot more than idiotic teenager here. This is an entire force.
See the links I just posted if you are interested.

[SJackson]

My interpretation was, they're smiling, embarrassed. As in, "who is this goofy American and why is she acting like this?"

Maybe, I'll still go with posed photo, excited kids in the background not knowing quite how to act. Then again, the photographer might not have known how to pose them, show anger, not grins. We'll never know, and it really doesn't matter, the point is made whether it was planned or emotion.

[SJackson]

Don't underestimate Rachel and her ilk. I think there is a lot more than idiotic teenager here. This is an entire force.

You bet there is. We've lost lot's of our own a lot younger (Rachel was 23, not 15). It's a mistake to write off groups like the ISM and their ilk as "preying" on naive youngsters. 23 year olds (and 18 year olds) excel at serving our nation, there's no reason to assume they're not capable of serving other causes.

[ArrogantBustard]

Life's hard. It's harder when you're stupid. And briefer when you tempt fate. And bright or dumb, it's span is finite.

He's a hero. I applaud his actions, and his courage and devotion to duty were in the righteous cause of freedom. But if you decide to place your unprotected flesh in the way of arnoured, tracked vehicles don't be surprised if you get squished. Lesson: Don't do it, unless the cause is worth your life. Your life is likely to be the price.

[nina0113]

the pix I was telling you about are in post 4