Re: Women In A War Zone

1

I haven't yet read about the American, but the Iraqi woman's tale is very moving. Imagine training in the midst of sniper fire. God. It sounds like the sport is basically her lifeline to sanity.


Posted by: Mary Catherine | Link to this comment | 05- 1-08 7:23 PM
horizontal rule
2

one American

I'm surprised those assholes didn't try and yank her medal.

President Bush has forcefully backed the Army's restrictions, asserting in a January 2005 interview with the Washington Times that there should be "no women in combat." Since her heroic actions, however, Brown was promoted to specialist and has been congratulated by Cheney in Afghanistan, praised in a meeting with Bush at a NATO summit in Romania, and offered a job on the White House staff.

Make up your mind, assholes! (But then, anything for propaganda, I suppose.)

Oh, and one more woman for ye. She implies she's in the green zone.

and one Iraqi.

Damn. She's crazier than I am.

max
['They'll have to give her a medal just for surviving.']


Posted by: max | Link to this comment | 05- 1-08 7:31 PM
horizontal rule
3

This thread isn't getting enough love. Read the stories!


Posted by: Becks | Link to this comment | 05- 1-08 9:58 PM
horizontal rule
4

"I've seen a lot of grown men who didn't have the courage and weren't able to handle themselves under fire like she did," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Best of Canton, N.C., Robbins's gunner that day. "She never missed a beat."

Yeah, she's pretty good looking brave, for a girl.


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 05- 1-08 11:20 PM
horizontal rule
5

I'm not saying she didn't do a good job or didn't merit recognition, but why the hell is it regarded as more remarkable when a woman shows courage under fire than a man?


Posted by: OneFatEnglishman | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 2:35 AM
horizontal rule
6

Only 5 comments in more than 12 hours? That's like an unfogged record of some kind. Isn't that conveeeenient? Second woman since WWII to get a Silver Star - I'm wondering why this heartwarming piece of nonpartisan triumph isn't all over CNN right now, instead of hour 7123 of Reverend Wright-watch. But then I'm naive like dat.


Posted by: marichiweu | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 9:22 AM
horizontal rule
7

5: It shouldn't be, but it is, and I took the guy to be describing her heroism based on those assumptions.

All I could think about the Iraqi runner is whether she'd be able to get asylum somewhere, and whether she'd be alive by Beijing.


Posted by: Cala | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 9:26 AM
horizontal rule
8

The media has done a piss poor job of telling the stories of the heroes of this war. Do you know the names of the Medal of Honor winners? Navy Cross? Silver Star? Outside of their units and families, no one cares.


Posted by: Tassled Loafered Leech | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 10:13 AM
horizontal rule
9

8 - yeah, why is that? Is it because talking about the honorees would also require talking about the casualties? And our CoC has famously refused to be present for the whole flag-draped coffin business, which to me puts paid to any claim to militaristic patriotism etc. I mean, I know it's all a cock-up and so forth, but some part of me keeps at least looking for some consistency.


Posted by: marichiweu | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:32 AM
horizontal rule
10

10!


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:48 AM
horizontal rule
11

10!


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:49 AM
horizontal rule
12

FUCK.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:49 AM
horizontal rule
13

That was odd.


Posted by: ogged | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:50 AM
horizontal rule
14

Outside of their units and families, no one cares.

But really, this is as it should be. Elevating military honors above all others serves no good purpose.


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:50 AM
horizontal rule
15

15!


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:51 AM
horizontal rule
16

15!


Posted by: soup biscuit | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:52 AM
horizontal rule
17

FUCK.


Posted by: Beefo Meaty | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:52 AM
horizontal rule
18

10, 11: That is actually a fairly stunning bit of nerd synchronicity.

Ogged, punch Sifu; he owes you a coke now.


Posted by: oudemia | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:53 AM
horizontal rule
19

That was hott.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:53 AM
horizontal rule
20

10!

10!

FUCK

The Greek and Norwegian judges gave top marks to marichiweu's comment, but it seems the Estonian judge was less impressed.


Posted by: felix | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:53 AM
horizontal rule
21

FUCK.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:53 AM
horizontal rule
22

Good to see these touching stories are finally getting the commentary they deserve.


Posted by: apostropher | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:54 AM
horizontal rule
23

22: I'm not really sure how I feel about the Iraqi woman. On the one hand, quite reasonably, it's clearly meant as a triumph of the human spirit story. OTOH, whenever I see these sorts of stories about Iraqis, particularly women, I worry that the Iraqis are taking too many risks and will, for one reason or another, get killed by thugs. Which makes me feel very K-Lo.


Posted by: SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 11:59 AM
horizontal rule
24

You know, I sometiems wonder whether the Unfoggetariat aren't spending too much time together.


Posted by: John Emerson | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 12:03 PM
horizontal rule
25

24: Don't beat around the bush, John, next thing you'll be saying you like us but you're not in like with us.


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 12:15 PM
horizontal rule
26

24: Don't beat around the bush, John, next thing you'll be saying you like us but you're not in like with us.


Posted by: Auto-banned | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 12:26 PM
horizontal rule
27

FUCK.


Posted by: Auto-banned | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 12:26 PM
horizontal rule
28

20: 10! 10! FUCK.

The Greek and Norwegian judges gave top marks to marichiweu's comment, but it seems the Estonian judge was less impressed.

Or else the judge was very impressed.


Posted by: JP Stormcrow | Link to this comment | 05- 2-08 3:23 PM
horizontal rule