Posted on 05/13/2016 6:20:33 PM PDT by Justatroop
They tried to kill him in the morning. They tried to kill him at night. They tried as he bumped over the road in a silver sedan, killing his nephew with a bullet to the brain. They tried with a sniper. They tried with a bomb. They tried with a grenade outside his daughter’s bedroom, the blast hurling shrapnel into her leg. In a rural valley, along a desolate trail, in the doorway of his modest home—in all these places the Taliban tried to kill Mohammad Gulab in northeastern Afghanistan.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsweek.com ...
Welcome to FR!
Welcome, and thank you for your service. My babies are sleeping safe and sound right now because of people like you.
Forgive me if I distrust your motives (given you signed up today to post this), and the motives of Newsweek & the Afghan who wants to badmouth my countrymen.
Sounds like Golub’s impressions of American life were/are shaped completely by ideal images in movies —that average Americans live as in Beverly Hills 90210.
Sounds like he would want MORE no matter what.
He was saved from death, his immigration was expedited, Marcus picked him up, gave him his watch. Apparently he does not have to work...
What did he expect..? Sounds like Golub is extremely mercenary.
“Today I created an account for the purpose of posting the story in hopes of intelligent discussion regarding this situation. Without getting too personal I will just caveat with the fact that I am prior active duty, with a few deployments during OIF/OEF. I have been discussing this with others for days.”
Welcome to FR.
Go ahead and start the discussion. Give us a report about this “situation.” You’re among friends here.
I trust Marcus Luttrell’s side of the story a hella lot more than I’d believe anything coming from the distorters at Newsweek. Pure crap.
The movie is not historically accurate. A documentary on the MIL channel told the real story.
Welcome to FR.
Just watched the video in your post. At the end of it, I just wanted to say, it looped to a Ted Cruz / Fiorino commercial.
Today, May 14th. A Ted Cruz commercial is still playing on Newsweek.
(interesting)
Not sure what to make of that. Good post.
Not a smart move in my book, but carry on.
BTW - I'm also a veteran and want to say, "Thanks for your service, your pledge to defend our country, and your participation in Free Republic". I hope you stick around and become a monthly donor, even if it's small.
That would be: “News-Weak” Magazine.
I'm not sure this is a "new" thing.
I have a slight recollection of a similar story sometime last year...hazy on the details.
But after reading the story (it is a long read), I recognize some things that I have read elsewhere.
I am aware that Luttrell had been advised by State and DOD that a threat was expressed toward him by the family of this man, most likely misinterpreted anger at the loss of the family member...and again, the details are hazy...but then the entire episode (from first occurrence to this day) has more secrets than a NATO Bathroom Usage Manual.
A lot we do not know and probably will never know.
I've not met Marcus, but he strikes me as a man that would not forget those that had saved him, but he's now in a semi-celebrity situation whose every movement and word is parsed and scrutinized.
I am also aware that there are those at NewsWeek that have a liberal agenda...so I look at this story in a very guarded way.
I will give both of them the benefit of the doubt...Luttrell and Gulab.
The language barrier is very difficult to overcome...I know, I've dealt with it, and of course, the making of a movie is always subject to a great amount of "license", as otherwise it would probably be a dull documentary.
I think Luttrell carries much guilt.
Not guilt derived from a perception of not doing right by Gulab, but survivor guilt...his need to protect his family and the language barrier in properly translating anything said on either side...and the chicanery of State and DOD...all contribute mightily to any mental anguish he may now have.
And of course, there is State and DOD, both of which have never done the right thing on much of anything, even when the truth was the easier path.
Time will tell...and I think a resolution will be found for Gulab, not one he would particularly like, but much better than what he has had.
There is a reason the axiom "War is Hell" exists...and for anyone that has been there, it does truly cover the whole spectrum of the experience.
May God bestow his blessing and guidance, not only to Luttrell, but to Gulab as well.
As the article notes, Luttrell’s story was challenged by others fighting in the area and familiar with the mission, his story changed significantly after others in the are raised their objections and what Gulab says matches what the Americans operating in the area said.
What this article doesn’t mention is that both of Michael Murphy’s parents and brother were very critical of Luttrell’s account, saying that it differed from what he’d told them after he returned to the United States and that it exaggerated his role in the decision-making on the team.
Thanks!
Yeah, I’ve seen the photo ops. What happens when the cameras aren’t around is entirely difficult.
Hey, no worries. Question my integrity, that’s up to you.
I try to maintain an honorable moral compass and defend the honorable no matter how difficult. Where I take issue with this situation is if it brings dishonor to our military, and military counter productivity related to COIN.
IF Gulab’s version is correct then a lot of ugly truths will come to light.
I’m not vouching for either side. I hope the right thing is done by all.
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