An Account of Marines’ Incredible Gestures

Arab News ^ | 4/15/2003 | Barbara Ferguson

[bluecollarman]

"So why not post it?"

Actually it was a mistake. I meant to post the whole article but the link is there.

[tictoc]

Next up from Barbara Ferguson, a report datelined from Jerusalem.

"Portrayals of Israelis as three-eyed, baby-eating monsters may have been somewhat exaggerated..."

[bluecollarman]

Funny that a lot of posters are more hostile to this reporter than the Marines she was serving with. Heck as an old Marine, I will take any good comments about the Corps I can get.

It is a long way and a far cry from the "Baby Killers" crap of the 60-70's.

Last thought, this reporter-ette was an Arab embed. She might not have been brave or firm in resolve. Her politics may suck. I still submit that this article would not have been the most popular article she could have written and the fact that it appears in the arab news is dramatic.

I admire her for having the guts to write this article even if she had none on the battlefield.

[bluecollarman]

"Well, she found out something about the Marines she was with, but not the big things. For that there's a price, one this reporter opted not to pay."

True..but a close read of the article shows she exhibits some remorse and guilt about it. I even welcome "baby steps" with these people. It seems as though they never want to say anything positive.

[SendShaqtoIraq]

Where did this moron THINK she was gonna go? The Marine Ball?

[jwh_Denver]

Putting the pieces of the puzzle together, it became clear to me that we were heading into battle. I had not joined the embed program to watch Americans fight Iraqis. The thought terrified me.

This woman was clearly chicken soup. But the way I read the article she wrote was the Marines took her in as their own and cared for her. That is what's important. Communist, leftist, Arab, scared, didn't matter, the Marines cared.

[bluecollarman]

"But the way I read the article she wrote was the Marines took her in as their own and cared for her. That is what's important. Communist, leftist, Arab, scared, didn't matter, the Marines cared."


That is what I got out of it also.

[jwh_Denver]

An Account of Marines’ Incredible Gestures

Incredible indeed, and in deed. Aptly named article.

[IncPen]

I agree, it was positive about the troops and I appreciate your posting it

I was looking at the article being very very revealing about what sort of person the writer was in comparison to those troops she was covering. I'm not sure she intended it to be as damning of her as it was

I think we do have to look critically at leftist journalism, especially when they make a token gesture of honesty as a vehicle to advance their anti-Bush agenda

Do remember, the crowd that's 'against the war' is actually protesting Bush. They still think it's November 2000

[EricT.]

I find it very difficult to believe these things would be spoken in front of media.

Same here. When I was in the Navy, I had been told that Patsy Schroeder was going to visit my ship. I made some very crude comments about what I thought of her, and my Cheif "ordered" me to go spend the morning at McDonald's so I wouldn't get into trouble. I would never have said or done anything disrespectful in front of a non-enlisted person (except maybe my Division Officer, who had the same feelings about her). I went to McDonald's anyway. Why pass up an opportunity to get out of acting like human window dressing?

[WestTexasWend]

You're absolutely right...she belonged at an anti-war rally, not a war. A weak piece. (and you can take that both ways)

[homeschool mama]

Goes to show I should read rather than scan. :o/

Thank you.

[McGavin999]

Once the Arab world realizes that Rummy's original thoughts on war is the reason so few Iraqis were killed during this war, their thinking about him will change.

This embed program was just about the best thing to come out of this war. It's given journalists a chance to find out what the people in "fly over country" are like. These young Americans represent us exceedingly well.

[NMFXSTC]

Bluecollar,

With 27 years active duty, two Purle Hearts, 22 months in country in a USMC rifle paltoon...you think I don;t understand the concept? YOU read it...this reporter wasn't cut out for it and gave mi=ostly REMF info...sorry!

[CyberAnt]

I do believe these Arab organizations were looking for something BAD to write about the campaign - because she couldn't find any fault with our military.

[section9]

She hasn't been changed forever.

That's b.s.. She didn't see the real deal. She didn't see Marines die. She didn't see the barbarism of Saddam's people.

But the True Embeds did. Those were the guys who saw the war. People like the late David Bloom, Ollie North, the intrepid Greg Kelly and Walter Rogers with the 3/7th Cavalry regiment.

They saw the monkey show. They will not ever believe that war has any intrinsic value. However, they will always value the warrior.

This woman struggles to write an "understanding" article. Perhaps it's what she really believes. But on so many levels, this article is so much Robert Fisk: experiencing the war "firsthand" from the 12th Floor of the Palestine Hotel.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[TrueBeliever9]

Good execpt for the slam on Rummy

Here is where she slipped in (ever so cleverly) her agenda. That was the knife she was holding dear to her heart - and I am sure she relished every minute of the insertion.

[bluecollarman]

"With 27 years active duty, two Purle Hearts, 22 months in country in a USMC rifle paltoon.."

Okay...you most surely understand the concept, I apologize and Semper Fi Marine.

We still differ on the article. To me, the article wasn't about her as much as it was "esprit de corps", to you it was about her faliures and frailties.

Answer me this...what did she write in the article about the USMC bothered you so?

[bluecollarman]

"Here is where she slipped in (ever so cleverly) her agenda"


Yes sucked but she went on to praise The President, I found that kind of odd.

[bluecollarman]

Should be...Yes THAT sucked.