BS: POW RESCUED

Subject: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Troll
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 03:11 AM

Here's a bit of good news. I think we can all agree on that.

                ASSOCIATED PRESS

                WASHINGTON (AP) -

                American troops on Tuesday rescued Army Pfc. Jessica
                Lynch, who had been held as a prisoner of war in Iraq
                since she and other members of her unit were ambushed
                March 23, the Defense Department announced.

                Lynch, 19, of Palestine, W.Va., had been missing with 11
                other U.S. soldiers from the 507th Maintenance Company.
                The unit was ambushed near Nasiriyah after making a
                wrong turn during early fighting in the invasion of Iraq. Five
                other members of her unit were later shown on Iraqi
                television answering questions from their Iraqi captors.

                U.S. troops rescued Lynch near where her unit was
                ambushed, said Jean Offutt, a spokeswoman for Fort
                Bliss, Texas. The 507th Maintenance is based at Fort
                Bliss.

                Lynch had been listed as missing in action but was
                identified by the Pentagon Tuesday as a POW. She was
                not among the seven U.S. soldiers - including the five
                from the 507th shown on television - formally listed as
                prisoners of war.

                Offutt said she did not know whether Lynch had been
                wounded or when she might return to the United States.

                The rescued soldier's hometown erupted in celebration at
                the news.

                "They said it was going to be the biggest party this road
                had ever seen," Lynch's cousin Sherri McFee said as fire
                and police sirens blared in the background.

                "Everybody was really worried ... but we all remained
                hopeful and knew she would be home," McFee said.

                Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks at Central Command
                headquarters in Qatar announced that a U.S. POW had
                been rescued but refused to provide any further details.

                In a brief statement, Brooks said: "Coalition forces have
                conducted a successful rescue mission of a U.S. Army
                prisoner of war held captive in Iraq. The soldier has been
                returned to a coalition-controlled area."

                Central Command officials in Qatar, speaking on
                condition of anonymity, said Lynch was rescued from a
                hospital in Iraq.

                Fifteen other Americans are formally listed as missing.
                The other POWs include two Army Apache helicopter
                pilots captured March 24 after their helicopter went down.

                The 507th Maintenance was attacked during some of the
                first fighting in Nasiriyah, a Euphrates River-crossing city
                where sporadic battles have raged since U.S. troops first
                reached it. Troops and military officials have said much of
                the fighting there has involved members of the Fedayeen
                Saddam and other Iraqi paramilitaries who have dressed
                as civilians and ambushed Americans.

                Lynch, an aspiring teacher, joined the Army to get an
                education and take advantage of a rare opportunity in a
                farming community with an unemployment rate of 15
                percent - one of the highest in West Virginia.

                She was also following in the footsteps of her older
                brother Gregory, a National Guard member based in Fort
                Bragg, N.C. Jessica enlisted through the Army's
                delayed-entry program before graduating from Wirt
                County High School in Elizabeth.

                "You would not believe the joys, cries, bawling, hugging,
                screaming, carrying on," said Lynch's cousin, Pam
                Nicolais, when asked Tuesday about the rescue. "You just
                have to be here."

                Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., called the rescue a
                miracle.

                "God watched over Jessica and her family," Rockefeller
                said through a spokesman in Washington. "All of West
                Virginia is rejoicing. This is an amazing tribute to the skill
                and courage of our military."

                Central Command spokesman Jim Wilkinson said: "We
                also have others, other POWs we are just as worried
                about. This is good news today but we need a lot more
                good news."

                "America doesn't leave its heroes behind," Wilkinson
                added. "Never has. Never will."

                troll

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 05:20 AM

Never leaves them behind? That's why we still hear about them over in Viet Nam?

This IS good news, though, thanks, Troll.

May their "god" also watch out for the others.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Beccy
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 08:58 AM

I'm so happy she's safe. The latest news reports say that she is suffering a broken arm, 2 broken legs and a couple of gunshot wounds. That poor girl probably had no idea what was going to happen to her. I surely do hope that others are similarly rescued.

Why put God in quotation marks, Kat? Do you really begrudge them crediting their faith in a moment like this?

Beccy

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:15 AM

Yes, I'm pleased that Jessica Lynch was rescued. We don't know yet if her rescue was a happy accident or the product of a deliberate search. However, I hope she fully recovers and that the media leaves her in peace, but they won't.

Peace,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: JedMarum
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:44 AM

We do know that her rescue was the result of a deliberate search. A British reporter had a claim that a recently freed Iraqi had information that the POWs were being held in the hospital. The rescue effort was planned based upon that report.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: JedMarum
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:46 AM

I second the thank God sentiments above, and agree with Kat - that prayers for safety, well-being and freedom be extended to all people.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Troll
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 11:35 AM

Word is that the rescue team was taken to 11 other bodies, two in the hospital morgue and the others in a grave nearby. It is thought that at least two were Americans but there has been no ID as yet on any of them. Forensics is working on it.
"Never leaves them behind? That's why we still hear about them over in Viet Nam?" We never leave them behind IF we can find them kat. Sometimes it's not possible to find your wounded or dead and the reasons are many and varied. But we don't stop looking until ALL hope is gone or death is proven.

troll

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: GUEST,Norton1
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 12:08 PM

Jan and I were both cheering this at the news last night! The story from Central Command is that an Iraqi citizen slipped a note to one of the troops and told the troop that "she is being torured."

The note even gave the exact room she was in. MSNBC has a video on it - very cool -

What's the matter Sis - having a tough day? This is out of sorts for you. God has a capital "G" at the front of the word no matter whose it is. I'm not giving you a hard time - just saying let's celebrate the positive in this craziness - Love Ya Sis

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 02:22 PM

Love you, too, Bro and thanks, but it doesn't have a capital "g" in my book unless I am modifying it with other monikers.:-)

And, yes, the past couple of days have been a bit trying, 3D-wise.:-)

luvyakatSis

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 04:34 PM

Damn, Troll, this is the second posting we've seen today where we completely agree with you. Who would have thought?

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 05:32 PM

O'sda Utugi for Stacey.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Mrrzy
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 06:48 PM

Since it seems it was the armed forces that got her out, I'd credit the real people involved, personally, and bully for them, says the pacifist anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: SINSULL
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 06:55 PM

My prayers go out for her and her family. May god or God or Allah or whoever watch over the brave, kind person responsible for her rescue.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:12 PM

The word "god" may be either a common noun or a proper noun.

If that word is used as a name of a diety, or if it is essentially a title for the regnant diety of a culture, it takes a capital G.

If it is used as the name of a class of referent, such as "a god", or "their god" (in other words, a common noun), it takes a lower case G.

Kat was correct in her capitalization, although I can't think of a formal reason for the quotes.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Bobert
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 09:24 PM

Well danged! Don't mess with these Wes Ginny gals. I'm glad as all get out that we got this one back. Hard to find 'em under 200 pounds 'round these parts!

Awww, jus funnin'. Ya' can do that with good news.

But seriously, this is wonderful news but I did say a prayer for the families of the 11 folks whose bodies were found.

Bobert

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 02 Apr 03 - 11:40 PM

thanks dave for the info no formal reason at all for the quotation marks

in general i think we all need to get off each others backs for the little things mudcat seems so edgy and carpy lately

katmaybegoingtoalleecummingsmode

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:00 AM

Hmmm? Someone is not keeping to the script. Now it appears that the doctors examining Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch can find no gunshot or knife wounds. Which version of the facts do you suppose will be in the Reader's Digest or in the inevitable movie?

Well, damn it, she's still damn lucky to have survived the ambush, the sucessful rescue, and I wish her well. I do hope she survives the media campaign.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:20 AM

Poor little sod. She's fucking 19 years old! Man, I hope those dead bodies aren't the rest of the ones that were shown on Al Jazirra.

Did anyone notice how CNN kept the camera on one shot for hours last night. Two Iraqi tanks with smoke coming out of them. Two guesses to what was inside burning.

Another visual image that won't leave my mind is that "Shoshana"(sic) girl. Eyes darting back and forth...scared shitless.

*****************************************************

Regarding "The Movie". You bet it's being written right now. Ten to one they'll go with the first (inaccurate) account, or simply make up a third.

Damn all this.

Rick

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 10:43 AM

Please read THIS STORY which is also being reported by CNN and vouched for by the Marines. Assuming it's true and I personally believe it is, THIS is the definition of courage. We all want to believe that we would do the same but do we know for sure? This man and his family risk all for one American kid....and a female no less. Considering their jobs I assume they are better educated than many Iraqis, but even so the old cultural/religious prejudices exist. In any case I think this defines real courage.....at least for me.

As Bush rambles on about the courage of our soldiers I think he owes more than a passing nod to this man. Just amazing............

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Beccy
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 01:42 PM

Absolutely amazing!!!! I hope Mohammed and his family are being protected. That is AMAZING courage that he showed. God bless him and his family.

Thank you for posting the blicky, Spaw.

Beccy

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 02:02 PM

Thanks, Spaw. If they do make a movie, that's who the bulk of it should be about!

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Apr 03 - 05:28 PM

Nicely posted, Spaw. That appears to be the rest of the story, really one brave Iraqi. Maybe the actor representing him will get a best supporting role, and will donate his award to Mohammad.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 12:39 AM

Aye Troll---good news, indeed;but much less significant for the likes of me than the death or mutilation of just ONE completely innocent Iraqi infant. Bless the young lady I'm glad she was rescued; but face it---it has been played to death in the propaganda war.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Charley Noble
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 09:36 AM

Well, now there's a report in my reliable morning paper re-confirming bullet wounds. I wish they'd make up their minds.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Jeri
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 11:05 AM

I would have thought someone would have posted this. Perhaps they did, and I'll be happy to make this post go away.

I hear from CNN that 7 POWs have been released by Iraqi soldiers and have been recovered by US troops. These are the folks we saw in that Al Jazeera film, including Shoshanna.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Apr 03 - 02:57 PM

Last I heard, Mohammed and family were dropped at a refugee camp. Hardly seems a suitable "Thank You". Anyone have an update?

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 May 03 - 07:40 AM

Looks like the BBC is to show a program "War Spin" "Saving Private Lynch story 'flawed'".

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Greg F.
Date: 15 May 03 - 08:47 AM

When are we going to see some coverage on the rescue and repatriation of Iraqi POW's?

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Grab
Date: 15 May 03 - 09:40 AM

So I think we can agree that this is NOT good news... Any gunshot wounds this girl has were inflicted by American troops when the hospital staff tried to transport her back home, and the "heroic" US troops only stormed a building they knew several days earlier was occupied only by hospital workers.

To quote a US general at the time: "Some brave souls put their lives on the line to make this happen, loyal to a creed that they know that they'll never leave a fallen comrade."

And some "brave souls" enjoy pretending to be strong and brave, whilst in fact they're cowardly little bullies. What a farce. If I was a member of the US military, I'd be utterly ashamed of this.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 03 - 11:11 AM

Thanks for the link, Jon. Here's another from a Toronto paper's correspondent for the Balochistan Post which is more extensive an quite interesting. Now, it seems they aren't even claiming she has amnesia, just that she's basically under a gag order, so to speak. Unreal.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: GUEST
Date: 15 May 03 - 11:31 AM

Hell yes she's under a gag order. The Iraqis were the least of her worries. Hundreds of firefighters in NYC are under gag orders because THEY HEARD BOMBS GOING OFF IN THE WTC.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: GUEST,Mars
Date: 15 May 03 - 11:32 AM

"But Iraqi doctors in Nasiriya say they provided the best treatment they could for the soldier in the midst of war. She was assigned the only specialist bed in the hospital and one of only two nurses on the floor."

Right. And I'm supposed to believe that because...?

You all are unbelievable. This young woman risked her life. What if she was your daughter, your sister, your friend?

What if she was you?

Give me a break.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Gervase
Date: 15 May 03 - 12:01 PM

Mars, what if...?
You mean, if she was, we'd be expected to swallow a lie?
You've lost me there, I'm afraid!

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: GUEST,Mars
Date: 15 May 03 - 01:41 PM

I'm saying that if she was... I doubt you would appreciate the way her story is being handled. But obviously it's easier for you all to just believe every negative thing you're told. It's so EASY to believe there must be a gag order ---- sure, that's why we don't know the whole story. Right! Of course. The Evil Empire and their Gag Orders.

Sometimes it is hard to know who's telling the truth and who isn't; it's difficult to separate myth from fact.

Put yourself in her shoes. Put yourself in her family's shoes.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 03 - 01:45 PM

Hmmm, Mars says Sometimes it is hard to know who's telling the truth and who isn't; it's difficult to separate myth from fact. yet ridicules those of us who question the party line?!

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: GUEST,Mars
Date: 15 May 03 - 01:54 PM

I'm not ridiculing anyone's questioning. I'm riciduling what appears to be nothing more than blind following of a story that may or may not be true, on the word of the Iraqi hospital workers who were probably under threats from Saddam.

Why is it so hard to believe that a young woman recovering from a traumatic experience simply doesn't want to talk about it? Why does it have to be "oh it must be a gag order." Maybe she just isn't ready.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 May 03 - 01:58 PM

Come-on, folks, the nay-saying is getting a bit out of hand. She was captured by the Iraqi army, so, by definition,she was a prisoner of war.   She was provided appropriate medical care, as required by international law. The BBC says that the American army knew the Iraqi army left the night before they pulled off their raid? So, should they have knocked on the door and walked in unarmed? And if they had come back, what then?

My own experience with the media leads me to disbelieve anything they say. and that includes the BS comments about her fighting until her last bullet was gone as well as the ones about her having bullet wounds when she was captured. The first real report on her condition described her as having a broken arm and leg, exactly as her condition was described by the Iraqi doctor in this article.

Find another victim, people. This is a nineteen year old who deserves something better.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 03 - 02:04 PM

If she doesn't want to speak about it, fine, then they should say so. Most people would understand and respect that. It's the conflicting reports of first, amnesia, and now the following *pronouncement* which make for skepticism and my use of *gag* order (bold text is my emphasis):

At the Pentagon last week, U.S. Army spokesman Lt. Col. Ryan Yantis said the door to Lynch remains closed as she continues her recovery at Washington's Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

"Until such time as she wants to talk — and that's going to be no time soon, and it may be never at all — the press is simply going to have to wait."

I don't know about you, but I have two uncles who went to their graves with military and government secrets because they were told to keep them and also warned of what might happen if they did not. My father and brother both had high security clearance in the government and military respectively and were likewise sworn to secrecy. If one of their superiors was quoted as hers is above, you can bet they'd consider themselves further gagged, no questions asked.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Doug_Remley
Date: 15 May 03 - 02:23 PM

It sounds a bit like the movie "Wag the Dog" and I wouldn't put it past GB Jr to do something like that. Thanks for the links.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Marion
Date: 15 May 03 - 02:34 PM

Pardon me for a dumb question, but for most of April I was out of the country and out of touch with the news:

What happened with the other American POWs? Were any more found alive?

Thanks, Marion

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Kim C
Date: 15 May 03 - 03:20 PM

The other 7 from Jessica Lynch's unit were found alive, if I remember right.

I think one of the problems with Instant Media is that inaccurate reports travel fast, and they get out before the reporters really have time to check the facts. Then they have to backtrack, and we're all left scratching our heads. I think it's just a matter of "we have to deliver something to the public FAST so let's open mouth before we engage brain." The ensuing damage control doesn't do anything for anyone's credibility.

I also think we ought to let Jessica Lynch alone. I haven't forgotten what I was like when I was 19. Sheesh.

Don't worry - there will be a TV movie, betcha before Christmas.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:12 PM

Can we, BTW, get a source for that quote which some seem to think means she is under a gag order? I think I'd give the "Balochistan Post" rather less credence than many other media sources. They are, after all, the people who said US accusations against Bin Laden for masterminding these terrorist attacks would not convince anybody who has even a slightest idea about the situation from which Afghanistan is currently passing through after 9/11, which would make me think they are not entirely neutral. Quote is here.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: TIA
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:22 PM

Yes, let's leave Jessica Lynch alone. But, let's not infer that that means we shouldn't question the government. Questioning the truth of the media reality TV version of the story does not impugn Jessica Lynch or her behaviour, or courage or whatever in any fashion.

If we are told that we can't question the government's/media's story because it would be disrespectful to a 19 year old serviceperson, that fits the pattern of being told that we can't question the government's reasons for going to war without aiding and abetting the enemy, or being told that we can't question the existence of Iraqi W's of MD without implying that the Iraqis were better off under Saddam.

Not just dissent, but even questioning, seems to be stifled at every turn in the new USA.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:36 PM

I though I was fairly aware, so please tell me who has stiffled either questioning or dissent (with the exception of dissenting by standing/sitting in the middle of a street)?

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 03 - 04:43 PM

art, I am looking at the DoD site now to try to confrim the quote. However, it is important to note that this article, written by Mitch Potter of the Toronto SUN, was published in the Toronto STAR and the St Catharine somethingorother (sorry can't read my handwriting notes) in Canada a week before it appeared in the Balochistan paper.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 May 03 - 05:01 PM

Well, I cannot find an original source for that particular quote, but I am satisfied of the veracity of the story, after researching the it more. Here is further reading on it, from different sources:

Not our only Iraq POW from Talequah, OK;

Interesting UK Guardian report;

BBC report and info on their upcoming show War Spin.

I think it is interesting that the producer of the tv show COPS was on board with the Pentagon advising them on setting up and producing the reality show Stories from the Front Line or whatever it was called. It's mentioned in the links I provided, as well as info on him.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: TIA
Date: 15 May 03 - 05:02 PM

try here just for starters

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: TIA
Date: 15 May 03 - 05:22 PM

More info. on suppression of questioning and dissent

one

two

three

older but relevant

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: artbrooks
Date: 15 May 03 - 05:22 PM

Well, TIA, the only item in that report, the one involving demonstrators at the University of New Mexico, that I know anything about is entirely untrue...I was there. I cannot say anything about any of the other claims.

Subject: RE: BS: POW RESCUED
From: Jeri
Date: 15 May 03 - 05:22 PM

The way I remember it, it was first reported she had gunshot wounds, and later that that had been a mistake - no gunshot wounds. I heard it on the news. Heard (the news again) about the attempted delivery which was screwed up because ambulances had proven to be good ambush ploys and the crew didn't speak English very well.

There's a whole lot of spinning going on, but it doesn't appear to be ONLY one side doing it.