BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..

Subject: BS: Jessica Lynch
From: Deckman
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 08:18 AM

Ken Schram, who is a KOMO TV news commentator on Seattle TV, used a perfect phrase in last night's commententary ... "Exploited by the media, manipulated by the government, Jessica Lynch had the look of a deer caught in the headlights as she faced the world via satellite trucks and camera lenses. ..." Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 08:47 AM

You never heard that? It's a cliche. Of course I live in the deer-car-collision capital of Canada.

W-O

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 08:53 AM

I can't imagine being twenty years old, the subject of a nations attention, possibly manipulated by the press and the government and not looking like a deer caught in the headlights.

Since I didn't hear the entire report what is quoted seems on the surface to be disengenuous and just as manipulative as the press and the government.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: artbrooks
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 09:24 AM

A young soldier...seriously injured...let her alone to heal, if she can.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: PeteBoom
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:48 AM

The cynic in me is wondering what she did to earn a Bronze Star. The Purple Heart and POW medals/ribbands I can see. A Bronze Star? Seems to be an attempt to carry-on the hype they originally had about her.

Let the child be fer cryin' out loud. (Yup, she's a child in my mind - younger than my younger daughter, you bet she's a child. Not mine, but somebody's.)

Pete

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:58 AM

It'd be nice to get to the truth of her injuries etc.

It would also be nice if the gd media would NAME the soldiers who are getting killed over there everday. Every day I hear "another soldier has died in Iraq" but they never name them, even after there's been time to notify next of kin. Medals to their families will be small solace, imo, the least they can do is honour them with their names.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: GUEST,pdc
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 11:08 AM

When Jessica Lynch went home, she was immediately taken to some sort of stadium or sports field to make a statement.

No local people were allowed to attend -- only the media.

So much for reality.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: artbrooks
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:03 PM

PeteBloom: I haven't heard specifically, but I'd imagine it was a Bronze Star for Meritorious Service...kind of a glorified attaboy...rather than one with a "V device" for valor in action.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:22 PM

Kat:

At the end of "The News Hour" on PBS they do recite the names of those killed in Iraq. Of course we don'td consider PBS to be a part of the "gd media"!

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Don Firth
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 02:23 PM

Kat, on The Newshour with Jim Lehrer (PBS), every evening they finish the newscast by showing pictures, complete with name, rank, age, and hometown of those killed in Iraq within the last few days ("as soon as pictures become available"). Silence. No commentary, just the photo. They've been doing this since the war began. It's all too brief, but at least they do it. To see the face, even for just a few seconds, of, say, a nineteen-year-old just killed within the last day or two raises it considerably above the level of mere statistics.

Of course, for doing such things, PBS is regarded by some as "the liberal media."

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:13 PM

A good number of those soldiers killed have been from the 101st Airborne, which happens to be our local base here in Tennessee. They do get named in our local newscast.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 03:49 PM

Thanks, Bev & Jerry, Don, and Kim. I figured they would get a mention in local news. I don't consider PBS part of the gd media, either, Bev & Jerry.:-)

I am glad to hear they are doing this. My daughter will also be pleased as it is her generation, for the most part, who are dying. I don't get my news from the TV, so didn't know about this. I still think the more "mainstream" media needs to name names, etc.

I reckon Ms. Lynch will need therapy for a long time to get over the way she has been *handled* by our government.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Deckman
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 04:09 PM

As anyone who has read my postings to "BS" threads knows, I am an Army veteran (medical corps). I volunteered and entered my first active service at 18. During my next 8 years of required active reserve status, I was activated for another year under Presidential order of President John F. Kennedy. I didn't complain about this service either. What I'm finding very interesting now, is the number of other veterans I run into into my daily life, that are totally disgusted with the manner in which we went to "war" in Iraq. No one needs to lecture us about duty, obligation, committment. We've been there and done that. My very serious concern is that President bush (I refuse to capitalize his name) will drive such a wedge between our young people, meaning future soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen, and our countries' future needs, that we'll have to resort to the draft again.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 04:25 PM

That was just an unfair statement from Mr Schram, whether accurate or not. I saw her statement on TV last night. She was obviously reading from a prepared text, but unlike some others we could mention but won't, it certainly sounded like it was her work.

Think back, most of us would have been pretty uncomfortable doing that sort of thing now, let alone at 20. I thought it was satisfactory and came from the heart.

As to how she got the injuries, that has been made pretty clear ~~ a vehicle crash which killed the driver, a friend of hers. Where the "heroism/fighting" stories came from is something else again. What is pretty certain is that they did not originate from her.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Don Firth
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 06:25 PM

I don't always agree with Ken Schram, but most of the time, I do. The man seems to have an infallible bullshit detector, and he rarely minces words. Check it out.

I saw the story, and it was obvious that she was a) happy to be still alive, b) very nervous, and c) reading from a prepared statement. And, of course, they hustled her off before anyone could ask any questions. I though Schram was right on the money.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Deckman
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 07:54 PM

Guest Dale ... what was the "unfair statement"? Did I miss something? Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 08:30 PM

OK, I have read the article, and I agree with all but the one point. "Deer in the headlights" is such a loaded term which (to me) carries an extremely negative connotation. I have hit a couple of deer in my time, though in at least one instance the deer ran into me. Another time I came to a dead stop in the road to avoid a deer which froze in the middle of the lane. I just didn't think Jessica was so panicked as to warrant the comparison. Sure, happy to be alive, happy to be home, thankful for blessings received, extremely nervous, and probably wishing she were somewhere else, but it's not like she "froze."

It is not such a big deal and not worth an argument; it probably comes down to what one considers the definition of the term. I do get irritated at journalists who exaggerate to make their points. I think that is what he did. I don't quibble with the rest of it.

Again, the things that brought her into that limelight were not of her making, unless you count enlisting in the first place. The sooner people leave her alone, the better.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Deckman
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 09:05 PM

I agree and well said. CHEERS, Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: MarkS
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:33 PM

"Deer caught in the headlights stare" is a phrase which used to be applied to Dan Quayle. (Remember him? Who? ) Anyhow, I kind of doubt Jessica would be flattered by this comparison!
Mark

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: LadyJean
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 10:52 PM

I'm about an hour away from West By God Virginia. They're interesting people down there. Military service is almost a given, in the state. But they pride themselves on their independence. "A mountaineer always will be free." They are also the butt of some very nasty jokes courtesy of their neighbors in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. PFC Lynch may have been scared of being seen as a hick and a hillbilly. To the credit of her critics, they haven't made any Jed Clampett jokes. I hope that continues.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 11:34 PM

"They are also the butt of some very nasty jokes courtesy of their neighbors in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. PFC Lynch may have been scared of being seen as a hick and a hillbilly. To the credit of her critics, they haven't made any Jed Clampett jokes. I hope that continues.".............but since you mentioned it.............

It was nice she could arrive home during the height of the fly season as it brought added tears to the eyes of the residents....there she was in full uniform with new medals and surrounded by the State Bird. It's great to note she wants to be a teacher as well since the WVA School System puts great emphasis on the three "R's"...Readin', Ritin', and Route 33 to Ohio. And her new boyfriend was along as well! If they marry, this will be the first addition to the family gene pool since 1903.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Jul 03 - 11:48 PM

He's baaaaaccccckkkkk!:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 04:22 PM

And now she's received a million dollar book deal to be co-authored with the "writer" the NYTimes fired for plagarism. Cynicism abounds.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 05:09 PM

kat: strange tale indeed but minor point: the writer will be Rick Bragg, not to be confused with Jayson Blair, the infamous fired plagiarizer. Bragg resigned during a tiff about his extensive use of an apparently unpaid and apparently uncredited "freelancer." He is a Pulitzer prize-winner. (Not that I would pay cash for, or read, such a book.)

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 05:57 PM

Hmmm..thanks, heric, I'll have to check the report I read.:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: artbrooks
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 05:57 PM

Poor kid...hounded until she had to accept someone's offer so the rest of the book publishers and ghost writers would go away. Wish I had that kind of luck...on second thought, she's had a bad time and been treated pretty shabbily...you go, girl!

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Bill D
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 06:02 PM

as long as bad taste sells, there will be movies like this...and Jerry Springer shows, and wet tee-shirt 'contests' and a thousand other things thay make our society so.....ummm...interesting.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Deckman
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 06:51 PM

Hey!!!!! What's wrong with wet tee shirt contests? (BG) Bob

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Sep 03 - 08:02 PM

Are you going to wear the wet t-shirt, Bob? [BIG grin!]

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: GUEST,Kim C no cookie
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 01:59 PM

I am still trying to figure out what it is about her that makes her particularly more special than any other soldier who was captured and rescued. I believe there was another woman soldier who was captured and rescued as well. Is it because she's a woman? So what? That makes no difference to me. We have plenty of women in our armed forces now. Some of them have died in the line of duty. Because she's young? Big deal.

I don't mean to sound like I'm devaluing her service to the Army. That's not the case. I have a very special respect for soldiers. It's just that I don't think her story is necessarily more deserving of being told than anyone else's.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 04:45 PM

Perhaps Jessica Lynch is a 'heroine' because she is white? Shanna/Shawna (I forget her name), the young woman who was actually captured by the Iraqis, along with other members of her supply unit, could just as easily qualify for a movie of her life and career. I may have forgotten her name but I'll never forget the terror in her and her compatriots' faces in the pictures that were released by their captors.

Subject: RE: BS: Jessica Lynch ... 'like a deer caught ..
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Sep 03 - 05:44 PM

They used Lynch as a huge media event and this is the culmination of what the wrought, imo. It's sickening, esp. considering the death of Lori Piestewa, a Hopi Indian from northern Arizona who was the first American woman killed and who also had been a roommate of Lynch's. If Lynch or the publisher had any class, they would donate the proceeds to help families of the soldier who died there, esp. women.

I am sure the blond/white thing had a lot to do with it, Ebbie.