Tabula Rasa (Michael Yon - warning link has some brutal war pics)

Michael Yon Online Magazine ^ | March 23, 2007 | Michael Yon

[neverdem]

From Baghdad Recent mention of cooperation with Fox News kicked rumor into high gear, leading some long-time readers to lament my “selling-out” to a major outlet. Simultaneously, thousands of new readers via the Fox website have little idea why my work suddenly is featured there. This dispatch will hopefully quell both concerns. My website and Iraq coverage remain independent of all financial support save that of my readers. Here’s a brief on how I became witness to this war:

I grew up Florida. Joined the army for college money, made it into Special Forces and the same week I graduated from Special Forces “selection,” was accused of murder after a fistfight in a Maryland nightclub. Those charges were eventually dropped. Special Forces gave me shelter, taught me to speak German fluently and tried to teach me Polish. Among other topics, we studied insurgeIncy and counterinsurgency. I was on two A-teams. We trained to infiltrate extremely deep behind enemy lines, past the point where helicopters could extract us. The exfiltration plan included, “Hope to see you again, but nobody’s coming to get you.” I learned something about my country. We were not the wimps many people seemed to think; we were deadly serious about going into someone’s backyard when needed.

[neverdem]

Brigadier General Vincent K. Brooks was my platoon leader in the 4.2" Mortar Platoon, Combat Support Company, 1/504 Inf, 82nd Airborne Division in 1981.

[cgk]

PING.

[red devil 40]

His Brother Leo Brooks was my Bn CDR in 1/504 PIR...note my screenname

[RicocheT]

The strain of working under restrictive conditions in a combat zone is wearing down Michael Yon. He is not getting many breaks from the military and they are not smart to ignore his need for a place to work as well as access to the guys at the point. Yon is a straight shooter and the reports he has done show that. I hope things get better for him and that he stays safe and sound.

[lonestar67]

It bothers me that Yon is held up as such as useful journalist to America winning the war on terror.

Yon's reporting displays a basic bias that we are not able to win. He judges us doomed in Afghanistan and failed in Iraq.

Both of these judgements are wrong and nothing anyone says by way of empirical evidence changes his judgment.

I do think he provides vivid accurate snapshots of incidents. He is incapable or unwilling to connect the dots to say "success."

I reread his blog about how saddam was "checking" us in the great chess game of the Iraq war. Saddam is dead. His sons are dead. Zarqawi is dead.

Is there any chance that anyone, Yon, a Republican, or someone on Free Republic will give President Bush and our troops the heroic respect they deserve?

Nope.

Can we stop pretending that we are confused about Bush's popularity. Conservatives like back stabbing President Bush.

For heavens sake, when dear leader glorious President Reagan shot down a civilian airliner of Iran during hostilities, conservatives did not back stab such a plain blunder.

There is really nothing to compare to this and various blunders under Reagan. Yet we are all mandated to despise Bush and blame blame blame him.

When will this madness end.

Yon is far from the worst journalist in Iraq but he is not anything especially good.

[balch3]

This guy seems to have drunk the MSM koolaid about Abu Graib.

[donmeaker]

I guess he was one of those who got confused and ate the cheese charges...

[neverdem]

What are you, a pussy?

No, seeing the dead or wounded doesn't bother me too much, but there are a lot of females on my other pings lists that I combine with the one that you're on for this kind of story. I'm just trying to be considerate.

[JerseyDvl]

save for later

[Wisconsin]

Where to complain about Yon getting squeezed:

cpicpressdesk@iraq.centcom.mil

You may like or dislike Yon but he is a hell of a better straight shooter than 99% of the journalist fat cats who do their "week" in Iraqm, yet they get first class treatment.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the link.

[brityank]

A comment from the list [my highlight]:

#26
Danger Girl Says:

“but in fact I was told the order came from Brigadier General Vincent K. Brooks,”

Many asked who the General was that Mike referred to in RUBS…now you know!

You may remember this was the same General that LOST the copyright infringement battle for Mike’s iconic photo of Major Beiger and Farah. So it seems that Brig Gen Brooks has decided to seek revenge.

Shame on Brooks who had promised that Mike would not have trouble embedding! He is standing in the way of winning the media war against our enemies, and doing so as a personal vendetta!

I intend to email Lt.General Petreaus about this insanity and to go viral with this revelation!

Brig Gen Brooks is doing our war effort more harm than good. Time for him to pay for his incompetence and yet another vendetta on the part of CPIC towards Mike Yon, which amounts to censorship.

Enough is Enough!!!!

March 23rd, 2007 at 10:53 am

Loved his comment on the Iraq Elections: "They flooded in for the funeral, and got caught in a Baptism!" [paraphrased]. A great read; thanks.

[brityank]

Bump Ping.

[neverdem]

Brian Williams praising Mike Yon, who knew? Thanks for the link.

[neverdem]

How to Win in Iraq-and How to Lose

I Miss Iraq. I Miss My Gun. I Miss My War.

2008: The Battle for a Generation

From time to time, I’ll ping on noteworthy articles about politics, foreign and military affairs. FReepmail me if you want on or off my list.

[PGalt]

I do think he provides vivid accurate snapshots of incidents. He is incapable or unwilling to connect the dots to say "success."

Not only "success", but the greatest success in the history of the armed forces of The United States of America.

Sheesh, the power of PROPAGANDA!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[lonestar67]

Agreed!

[archy]

Brigadier General Vincent K. Brooks was my platoon leader in the 4.2" Mortar Platoon, Combat Support Company, 1/504 Inf, 82nd Airborne Division in 1981.

You had a BGEN as a mortar platoon leader, and he hasn't gotten a promotion since '81? He must have really pissed somebody off.