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.
Smartass. ;-)
2 I blame the Cheney/Bush/Rumsfeld/Haliburton global warming machine (Pat. Pend.). Before The 2000 Bush coup it was never hot in the summer in Iraq.
True! Why, before Bush got into office, the summer temps in Iraq were 78 - 80 degrees at the height of the season.
Now, we're hitting around 125.
Stupid global warming.
From TownHall.com Posted by Hugh Hewitt at http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/g/d8d553d2-046b-4557-9bc1-1ff8a4e8be3a
The posters at the FreeRepublic thread are very rough on the soldier, but most of the ire should be directed at the Beltway geniuses at the New Republic who allowed this young man to publish a column that would obviously lead to the controversy it quickly ignited, as well as to the blowback from his fellow soldiers for the general slander he perpetrated. Having to use a pseudonym in an era of milblogging was the obvious giveaway that the piece would start an investigation.
Sliming the war and the people fighting it requires sacrifices, of course, and the New Republic’s editors were willing to let Beauchamp make his on behalf of their cause.
Pick up a copy of this weeks Army Times. http://www.armytimes.com/
Phony Hero
A former medic is charged with claiming awards — including three Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts — he did not receive. And he's not seen combat or had a combat tour!
He’s booking that no matter how bad things come out he will have a life long audience of far left kooks to buy his naivete scribblings.
Could Pvt. Beauchump be a believer in the don’t ask don’t tell cult.
Courtesy Comment:
Say What!
Something tells me he’s gonna be a private for a long time.
Could this kook really believe that he could be another
Lt. John Francois errrrrr Kerry, traitor in charge, wannabe?
934. ART. 134. GENERAL ARTICLE
Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.
I'm amazed Hugh could even find the thread, considering it was yanked out of Breaking News and buried.
I'd like to know why he was busted a rank in the first place. At one point he was a PFC, and now he's a private. A college grad (at least some college) and in a year and a half, and STILL a private.
Man, you have to try awfully hard to pull that one off.
Considering he's married, unlikely.
Considering he’s married, unlikely.
Courtesy Comment:
Being married may mean he’s a stand up guy but I believe Governor Groovy was also married and he wasn’t a stand up guy.
A man who would pull this type of low life scum bag stunt might just go in for a switch hit or two.
That is if you actually believed this creeps story about laughing at a woman with injuries from an IED.
Any low life that would laugh at another person injuries is lower that rat Shiite.
I personally just happen to believe that our soldiers are above pulling this stunt or most of the other things this moron wrote about to the Far Left Wing Toilet Tabloid the New Republic.
I'm not sure of the reason for your diatribe, but I would like to point out that I was merely responding to the allegation that he was gay. First of all, with all the paper trail he has left, he gives no indication that he has homosexual proclivities. Second, he is married, and while there are married men who are bisexual, the fact he is married speaks against him being gay. And third, his sexual orientation has absolutely nothing to do with the story. He is a person who is obviously rotten to the core, simple as that.
Personally, I could care less if the scumbag likes bright frilly things in life.
He tried to hurt his fellow soldiers and my country by writing lies to be used by America’s enemies.
Yes, I agree that he is lower than Whale Shiite, in my words and feel free to correct if you want.
I did not mean to hurt your feelings with my diatribe but your comment back on my comment seemed as though you were trying to do some nitpicking.
I hope your not one of those narrow minded little Professor Elwell types who occasionally get angry and feel compelled or obliged to correct every mistake or comment a FReeper might make.
i want to know if gengis khan played any part in this...
it’s a mystery ...johnny kerry where are ye when we need ye?
Bad weekend?
You suggested he was gay. I merely made the observation that he was married, and therefore, unlikely to be gay.
That isn't nitpicking. That is refuting the entire premise of your post.
OK, if it makes you feel better.
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