Posted on 02/01/2005 1:13:54 PM PST by NYer
^URGENT<
^U.S. military: No soldier missing in Iraq< ^Eds: LEADS throughout to RECAST with doubts over photo's authenticity; UPDATES with details of similarities between image and action figure, quotes from official from Dragon toys. Mispellings and repetitions in the Arabic text. ADD photo<
^AP Photo NY118<
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ A Web site posted a photograph of what it claimed was a kidnapped U.S. soldier, but doubts were quickly raised about its authenticity and the U.S. military said no soldiers were missing.
A toy manufacturer said the figure in the photo resembled one of its military action figures, originally produced for sale at U.S. bases in Kuwamt>? *42 9:0:2627: 08820922 77 0 +21 94te often used for posting statements from militants, some of which have proven authentic in the past, and was in the name of a group that has claimed previous kidnappings, the Mujahedeen Brigades.
The Arabic text, however, contained several mispellings and repetitions. Staff Sgt. Nick Minecci of the U.S. military's press office in Baghdad said ``no units have reported anyone missing.''
The photo in the posting showed a figure dressed in desert camouflage fatigues, wearing a vest and knee pads and with a gun pointed to its head. All the items are similar to ones that come in a box with the action figure, named ``Cody.'' The figure in the photo appeared stiff and expressionless, and the statement said he was named ``John Adam.''
Liam Cusack, of the toy manufacturer Dragon Models USA, inc., said the image of the soldier portrayed in the photo bore a striking resemblance to the African-American version of its ``Cody'' action figure. ``It is our doll ... to me it definitely looks like it is,'' Cusack told The Associated Press. ``Everything the guy is wearing is exactly what comes with our figure.''
He said the figures were ordered by the U.S. military in Kuwait for sale in their bases, ``so they would have been in region.''
AP-ES-02-01-05 1603EST
Nobody studies history anymore, like you know? It's so yesterday.
Oh wow.
Well, he's a dupe isn't he?
God bless and protect our brave soldiers and Marines fighting for our freedom and our way of life against the ISlamofacist terrorists.
Dang, this is one of the funniest stories ever. The MSM has so much egg on their face.
The media had high HOPES it was real. They have been waiting for this for quite some time.
dupe, dope, it's only a vowel.
Maybe so the soliders can give them to the Iraqi children in order to build positive relationships.
All good reasons! Thanks!
That's the picture above.
Now read for posterity what AP wrote:
This image of what appears to be a captured US soldier was posted on an Iraqi militant website, Tuesday Feb. 1, 2005. According to the website, the militants threatened to behead the hostage in 72 hours unless the Americans release Iraqi prisoners. The claim could not be verified.(AP Photo)
(My bold)
It appears to be a doll.
Like someone earlier stated on this or the other thread: the MSM want so much for something like this to be true they can't even tell if it is a doll or not.
I hear Ken is out of work, maybe he can help GI Joe rescue this guy.
I have an old Batman figurine in the attic, too....
Thank God it was a hoax. MSM lapped it up like thirsty puppy on an August summer.... lmao
Nostalgia.....
That part of it is just so pathetic. It's just like the forged TANG memos - they were such blatant, amateurish forgeries, yet CBS went with them anyway because they so wanted to hurt President Bush. This is even worse - I mean, who the hell would ever hold a real rifle like that?
Looks like LaVar Burton
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