Sometimes, we can be so incredibly stupid it boggles the imagination. We truly do make most of our own problems.
OK...here's the standing order for the rest of the time we're eliminating terrorists.
NO - repeat NO media, press with cameras (other than approved military recorders as approved by next higher command), press with written notes, or other civilian types are to be allowed within fifteen miles of any known or suspected combat operations. This is for their own safety.
This order is to be implemented with Draconian swiftness and vigor NOW.
Further, any media, press with cameras, or other civilian types now "embedded" with units are to have all papers, cameras, film, notes or other paraphenalia confiscated (reasons of National Security) and be immediately evacuated to a place not less than 15 miles distance from the unit and no closer than 15 miles from any other military unit.
Proceed.
I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater--yet. This is the only reporter who has attacked the people who are keeping his miserable life safe in this war--so far. I say send this guy packing for not telling the Marines about what he knew, for not reporting the action to the proper authorities (the on-air media is NOT any kind of authority), and for being an ingrate.
Many of the imbeds, including some from Fox, have been spectacular. Without them, we'd have never heard about the torture and slaughter houses--nor would we have heard a lot of the good things our guys have done while under fire in Fallujah. Let's be selective about who we "imbed" but please, don't toss them all.
This mother-f***ing media is trying to have its next Abu Ghraib scandal. Mark my words, they'll talk about this "scandal" non-stop for the next month.
You can't have it both ways. You can't talk about how heroic our military is, and then go out of your way to have some military "scandal."
What do you think Iwo Jima was like?