Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

He Fights On With Dwindling Supply of Smokes [Marlboro Man]
LA Times ^ | November 12, 2004 | Patrick J. McDonnell

Posted on 11/12/2004 10:25:33 PM PST by Ex-Dem

FALLUJAH, Iraq — The Marlboro man was angry: He has a war to fight, and he's running out of smokes.

"If you want to write something," he tells an intruding reporter, "tell Marlboro I'm down to four packs, and I'm here in Fallujah till who knows when. Maybe they can send some. And they can bring down the price a bit."

Those are the unfettered sentiments of Marine Lance Cpl. James Blake Miller, 20, a country boy from Kentucky who has been thrust unwittingly and somewhat unwillingly into the role of poster boy for a war on the other side of the world from his home on the farm.

"I just don't understand what all the fuss is about," Miller drawls on Friday as he crouches -- Marlboro firmly in place -- inside an abandoned building with his platoon mates, preparing to fight insurgents holed up in yet another mosque.

"I was just smokin' a cigarette, and someone takes my picture and it all blows up."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Kentucky
KEYWORDS: blakemiller; fallujah; iraq; man; marlboro; marlboroman; napalminthemorning; pufflist; religionofpeace; wot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-118 next last
To: Ex-Dem; nutmeg
Did you catch this line in the article:
"The photo seems to have struck a chord, as an image of America striking back at a perceived enemy, or just one young man putting his life on the line halfway across the globe."
Percieved?!
These "insurgents" the media gush over have openly aligned themselves with Bin LAden. The rest are Ba'athists, aka Pan-Arab national socialists, analogous to the pan-Aryan National Socialists of the Nazi party. I guess Islamists and Sand-Nazis are only "percieved" enemies.

I'd trade the entire staff of the LA Times for Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment.

81 posted on 11/13/2004 1:48:31 AM PST by rmlew (Copperheads and Peaceniks beware! Sedition is a crime.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: July 4th

Alas, the forces of PC struck the military re: smokes. Used to be, they were tax free up until the late 80's. 10 bucks a carton. "Someone" complained, and they jacked up the price to the same price as everyone else. Except, no taxes are paid, AAFES just pockets the difference. Copenhagen has been in the past very good to our troops. A silvertop (metal) roll of chew is a hot commodity. Send a few off to our boys, everyone.


82 posted on 11/13/2004 1:54:52 AM PST by Freedom4US
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: I got the rope
I'll send a box of Arturo Fuente's Hemingway Classics his way

What a wonderful magnanimous gesture!

83 posted on 11/13/2004 2:05:24 AM PST by AmericaUnited
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: spycatcher

"... wrote Rep. Henry A. Waxman, D-Calif."

Dear Mr. Waxman....the majority of decent Americans regret your Mother's decision NOT to have an abortion....


84 posted on 11/13/2004 2:26:36 AM PST by Baytovin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Joe Hadenuf
You seem to be splitting hairs here. My statement that more Californians have died fighting in Iraq than any other state stands. You can jump around with your per capita all you care to. Deal with it.

Quite right. What knocks the per capita thing down is, this is a voluntary military, not a draft. If California was all blue, which it is not, it is mostly red, then there wouldn't be that many volunteers and therefore less deaths total.

85 posted on 11/13/2004 3:24:11 AM PST by calex59
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: spycatcher

I can still recall the cigarette "4 packs" that came in C-rations. When you were down to only two meals a day it was best to have some non-smoker friends.


86 posted on 11/13/2004 4:16:03 AM PST by PeteB570
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: DollyCali
lolol.........I had read your post about a mom or a girlfriend somewhere being thrilled that this gritty young man's beautiful face was being shown far and wide, and was, in fact, thinking about that post as I read thru this thread!!

Frankly, I wouldn't watch Dan Rather if he were reading off winning lottery numbers prior to the drawings, but I'm really glad to read that this soldier's mom was. I can only imagine how great that was for her!

Amen to continued prayers for all our young and women in harms way ~

and for their families, as well!

87 posted on 11/13/2004 4:33:45 AM PST by Zacs Mom ("In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock." Jefferson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet

Is that chad fairbanks????


88 posted on 11/13/2004 4:38:55 AM PST by cyborg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Ex-Dem

Wonder if Mike Bloomberg would have him arrested for smoking in a NYC bar while he enjoyed a cold long neck?


89 posted on 11/13/2004 4:39:52 AM PST by Jimmy Valentine's brother (Crush your enemies; see them driven before you and hear the lamentation of their women - Conan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kcvl
"Until my son went into the Marines, I never really realized what that flag stood for - but now I do," she said.

What a wonderful line.

90 posted on 11/13/2004 4:51:11 AM PST by XJarhead
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]

To: Ex-Dem

I've found that men generally look better with a cigarette and a smudged face.

I love that he is from Kentucky-- another Red Stater kicking tail for America. Cool!!


91 posted on 11/13/2004 5:16:21 AM PST by faithincowboys
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: STARWISE

That's what I noticed first too...the eyes. That's one of those pictures you never forget, like the one of the Middle Eastern woman with the blue eyes on the cover of an old National Geographic. Haunting. Makes you wonder what those eyes have seen...in both cases.


92 posted on 11/13/2004 5:20:18 AM PST by Iluvpopcrn (Karen)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: dubyaismypresident

Here's the liberal's chance to prove they support our troops: send the smokes.

You think they'll do this?


93 posted on 11/13/2004 5:21:51 AM PST by gortklattu (check out thotline dot com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: lainde
==Be still my heart..What a sexy guy! Wish he'd get the People cover instead of the usual wimps they have for world's sexiest man. (Like a real man, he'd probably decline the silly, "sissy" photo shoot. He's got serious work to do).==

I'd like to see those hollywood stars, especially the ones who play like they're soldiers, stand up to these soldiers.

94 posted on 11/13/2004 5:30:34 AM PST by gortklattu (check out thotline dot com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Petronski

He better hire an agent now.


95 posted on 11/13/2004 5:42:43 AM PST by Twinkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: spycatcher

What drivel from the nanny state. My Dad smoked on the
battlefield. It was calming and a diversion at a time
when any moment could be the last. Let's see, treats were
rations, and a cigarette, coffee, precious little for men
with their lives on the line. He quit after he got back
home, but chewed tobacco all his life. So, now the
cigarette companies can't offer a smoke to men in harm's
way. Guess the Hershey's Co. can't send them a little
candy. It might rot their teeth. - Thanks, John Edwards.


96 posted on 11/13/2004 5:51:53 AM PST by Twinkie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Ex-Dem

If Hollywood is smart, they'll make the next movie about the modern Marines' unparalleled bravery and dedicated professionalism that Cprl Miller and his Corps has embodied for over two centuries now. Semper Fi!


97 posted on 11/13/2004 5:55:02 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Wiz

Keep the Marlboros for our guys, and let the terrorists smoke Russian or Chinese cigs, or even clove cigs.

After a couple of days we will get incredible intel from the promise of a Marlboro.


98 posted on 11/13/2004 6:05:15 AM PST by texas booster (Make a resolution to better yourself and your community in '04 - vote Republican!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Ex-Dem

Marlboro has had enough free press out of this to pay for the man's smokes for life. How about a letter writing campaign to insure our boys have enuff smokes????? How about it manufactureres??? It is well known that they sell more smokes outside the US than in so the stock piles must be in EU already......

Semper Fi


99 posted on 11/13/2004 6:15:23 AM PST by halfright (3,000 Americans murdered 9/11, Never forgive, never forget, be on guard!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Smokin' Joe

Actually the motorcycle hit Janklow's car in the left rear door, a micro second more and we would not have had a democrat representative in Congress, but also maybe no Republican Senator. Who knows what obeying traffic signs will bring you.


100 posted on 11/13/2004 6:16:48 AM PST by wita
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-118 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson