TRAGIC…
Seven Soldiers band together to write a respectful op-ed in the New York Times, where they criticize the effectiveness of “The Surge”; now, two are dead and one is recovering from a head wound. Coincidence? Most likely, or, at least I would hope so…
Two of Seven Soldiers Who Wrote ‘NYT’ Op-Ed Die in Iraq
By Greg Mitchell
NEW YORK The Op-Ed by seven active duty U.S. soldiers in Iraq questioning the war drew international attention just three weeks ago. Now two of the seven are dead.
Sgt. Omar Mora and Sgt. Yance T. Gray died Monday in a vehicle accident in western Baghdad, two of seven U.S. troops killed in the incident which was reported just as Gen. David Petraeus was about to report to Congress on progress in the “surge.” The names have just been released.
Gen. Petraeus was questioned about the message of the op-ed in testimony before a Senate committee yesterday.
The controversial Times column on Aug. 19 was called “The War As We Saw It,” and expressed skepticism about American gains in Iraq. “To believe that Americans, with an occupying force that long ago outlived its reluctant welcome, can win over a recalcitrant local population and win this counterinsurgency is far-fetched,” the group wrote.
It closed: “We need not talk about our morale. As committed soldiers, we will see this mission through.” …”
(Snip!)
“… One of the other five authors of the Times piece, Staff Sergeant Jeremy Murphy, an Army Ranger and reconnaissance team leader, was shot in the head while the article was being written. He was expected to survive after being flown to a military hospital in the United States. …” – Editor And Publisher
My prayers and best wishes go to those directly affected by these, and all other tragedies and casualties of this “accidental” war…
If anything, this should serve to highlight the fact that there is a “Left” and a “Right”, not only in our country but in the United States military as well, and all opinions are valid and valuable, and those who attack our troops who are not necessarily the biggest fans of President “Surge” W. Bush are completely missing the boat. They are also in harm’s way and, of all people, have earned their right to dissent while protecting OUR right to dissent. It is shameful for any American to bash any of our troops personally for leaning to the “Left”, or even for leaning to the “Right”, politically speaking. There are plenty of troops who vote Republican and there are plenty of others who vote Democratic, and simply because there is a Republican Commander-In-Chief at the helm, the GOP-supporting troops are much bolder about speaking out than their bretheren from across the aisle due to heavy limitations on free speech under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (“UCMJ”)…
Let us not be so quick to dismiss the observations and opinions of our Left-leaning troops when they do offer them. Let this serve as an eye-opening lesson to any of those on the Right who’ve demonized these fine, young troops who’ve served the ultimate price for their countrymen and women, and may those troops Rest In Peace.
***
Other blogger opinions (H/T to MemeOrandum): All Spin Zone; Shakesville; The Moderate Voice
Loading ...
2:54 pm on September 12th, 2007 1
[...] The Moderate Voice, Horses Mouth, The Gun Toting Liberal™, About.com U.S. Politics, Debsweb, All Spin Zone, Three Wise Men, Beautiful Horizons, Kiko’s [...]
3:09 pm on September 12th, 2007 2
Here’s a candid photograph of Bushboy giving his latest war plan to Lackey Petraeus: http://wwwthepartyofthewidestance.blogspot.com/
2:01 pm on September 13th, 2007 3
It is interesting that troops returning home from Iraq have such different views about what has gone and is going on there. A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine returned home on a 2 week leave. The situation he described is much different and much better than that described here.
His assignment has been to escort government officials and diplomats in and around Baghdad. Sounds a little on the dangerous side to me. He had been in Iraq for about 12 months before his leave and now he is back there with a few months left to go. His comments were that things have improved since he has been there. It is still very rough, but improvements are being made and things are getting better every day. Obviously, he couldn’t provide much detail of specific changes or operations. But he didn’t mind too much going back, even though he said that 6 months ago, all he could think about was getting out of there.
As much as I agree that; “Let us not be so quick to dismiss the observations and opinions of our Left-leaning troops when they do offer them”, it is Equally as important not to dismiss the opinions of our Right-Leaning troops just because they are not saying what the Left Wants to hear.
It’s about time the Left stopped politicizing this war as a vehicle to use to get elected, and start helping this country win it. At the very least, Left-leaners, stop Road-Blocking the people who are trying to get the job done.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
12:40 am on September 16th, 2007 4
“Coincidence? Most likely, or, at least I would hope so…”
This is very tragic indeed. Hypothetically-speaking, if this were an intentional act, ala Tillman, then what?
1:02 pm on September 27th, 2007 5
[...] If those names sound familiar to you, it’s because their untimely deaths were preceded by a respectfully dissentful Op-Ed piece in the New York Times, which was co-written by them and some other heroic active duty [...]