Times like this I'm glad I don't have a rifle handy, 24/7

[pecunium]

Despite my opinions of the overall effect of our the Mess-in-potamia, I happen to think most of the soldiers are doing their best (I may have some bias in that view) and that not all which happens is bad. I'm of a mixed mind on how to cover it, because, on the whole, I think we're fucked and covering all the good, might make it worse, because it will eclipse the bad.

I know the counter-argument... covering the bad without giving the good, at least, equal weight, makes it less likely we'll manage to save this goat-rope. Without a crystal ball, allowing me to see which has more merit (the good, or the ill) I'd have to say I want us out sooner rather than later, because I see no good end.

But I'll grant the right, even the duty of those who hold the opposite view to score what points they can with the good (just don't talk to me about building schools. I will come and scream at you... no I won't detail that, but it's a sore point).

But that does not give anyone the right to twist facts, for any purpose.

Which brings me to this.



This is obviously photoshopped. I suspect I could do better. It's disturbing, in this version, because of the nitrile gloves. Most people are only familiar with them from shots of Abu Ghraib.

So, noodling around a bit I found this version... still photoshopped, but less bothersome (and lacking the propagandistic message)



Then we get a link to the original



That's a good picture, One might even run it with the propagandistic slogans and while I'd find it heavy handed, it isn't bothersome, until one reads the cutline.

Photo by Hayne Palmour/North County Times
Navy Corpsman Richard Barnett of Camarilo, Calif. checks the heart of a young Iraqi boy as other Navy medics treat the boy's older sister, right, after the two children and their family were caught in a crossfire between US Marines and Iraqi soldiers just outside of a Marine encampment in central Iraq on Saturday, March 29, 2003. The boy was not injured. His sister, who received gunshot wounds, was expected to survive. The father was wounded and the mother was killed in the gun battle. "If anything good comes from this nonsense, I haven't seen it yet," said Barnett after the two children and their father were taken away for a medivac helicopter.

So, how glad do you think she is that we're there? And how would Barnett feel if he knew how his picture of this event was being used?

I know how I'd feel, were it me.

Comments

[ms-tek.livejournal.com]

Meh. At the same time, I am not suprized!

[liatha.livejournal.com]

that made me nauseous.

But thank you. It's good to have my low opinion of this administration confirmed in such a straightforward manner

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

No,this was not the administration. The agitprop was done by a private person (in Iowa, who seems to have taken the post down).

This is grass-roots rot.

TK

There was a long thing on dKos about this

[bellatrys.livejournal.com]

several diary entries a couple days ago, where some of the commenters mixed it up with the artist and had posted her defenses of the changes, and were trying to get her to see why it was ... problematic ... to do this. I've been tied up at work lately, and then my computer was not working right, so I never saw the end of that, though.

I've been following the career of retired Marine Sgt. Jimmy Massey, who was one of the first to speak out publically against the random shooting of civilians. (I left him and his family an encouraging message early on, fearful of the retaliation of Freepers against him and his.) He's now an active anti-recruiter - far from being cowed by opposition (or depression), he's getting louder.

Re: There was a long thing on dKos about this

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

The end of it seems to be her pulling the item altogether.

But the problem is, of course, that others have grabbed it, and now it lives beyond her.

TK

[mcduff.livejournal.com]

Agreed. It's disturbing that ordinary people at the bottom of the ladder here seem to be so disconnected with the opinions of soldiers on the ground, for all they claim to "support the troops" by doing things like this.

It actually reminds me very much of Michael at [url=http://hereswhatsleft.typepad.com/home/2004/12/this_may_be_the.html]Here's What's Left[/url]'s piece on "conservative art." It's been stripped of its real meaning, the actual truth of the matter has been considered too ugly and therefore replaced with an anodyne platitude to make people feel better about not thinking too deeply.

War has a cost. I firmly believe that if you have to airbrush out the blood in order to continue supporting military action, you've got no business saying you support it. Imaginary fairy tales in which innocent people don't get hurt are for children, not adults.

[punzel.livejournal.com]

Oddly enough, fairy tales used to not be so sanitized either!

[pygmymetal.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

Terry, you write so simply yet so eloquently.

Just wanted to say thank you.

[madshutterbug.livejournal.com]

I suspect that both shots may be "originals" in that the camera angles don't match between the two displayed; this implies to me that they are two different frames.

I agree that the issue is there and real. I'm also inclined to agree the image posted with the propaganda (and it's propaganda no matter which spin is put on it, good or bad) is photoshopped and not necessarily well; the backgrounds between the two shots are too dissimilar.

I am inclined to wonder if the originator of the issue read George Santayana.

[mayakda.livejournal.com]

It's too sad.

It makes me so angry again at the stupid effin' war-mongering evil b*stards in DC. They sleep so well at night, too, the b*stards.

[katherinesummer.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting that. I found you through cyanidetablet. Can I add you to my friend list?

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Sure, it's an open forum.

Though I am curious (no need to answer) what it was (a comment,; mine, or hers, random clicking, recommendation) which caused you to head over here.

TK

[katherinesummer.livejournal.com]

I just took that comment down because hers is a locked post. But now you know how I found you.

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

I was going through old posts (I needed this one in a different conversation), and noted this again.

Whimsical note, when I asked to friend her (she having a locked journal) she warned me I might be uncomfortable, because it was sort of liberal.

:)

TK

[buhfly.livejournal.com]

Maybe it's because I'm sick, but this whole post almost made me cry. That's so terrible. That poor family.

[dove95.livejournal.com]

That is unbelievable.

[jennae.livejournal.com]

Thanks for taking the time to find all of the information on that propaganda. Boggling. Linking to it in Junk...unless you oppose... :)

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Unless I've locked a post (which I've only done once, and that briefly, to avoid the risk of insult/drama) this journal is wide open, so feel free to link.

TK

Batch of bleedin' heart crap

[(Anonymous)]

Cry me a River. You whole maggot loving, fear mongering, sky is falling, bunch of liberal pukes should get a life. You all want to end the war no matter what the cost. And your hatred of Bush and the administration only weakens our efforts to fight the terrorists. Don't give me the crap about why we are there... we are there. Don't grouse about others not really suppoerting the troops. The troops are hearing your crys and they hate your "support" as much as I do.

Re: Batch of bleedin' heart crap

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Ah the bravery of the anonymous.

I much doubt you have either the courage, or the good graces, to come back and reveal yourself.

No matter, your nature is revealed.

For the sake of elucidation, my togroldytic guest... I am one of the troops you seem to think your foul-mouthed abuse is helping. So I get both, the insults and the praise.

With 12 years in the Army, five trips overseas, and more time in a combat zone than I wanted... I have to say that your failure to comprehend the principle for which I enlisted, and went to war is amazing.

I didn't do it because I like your ilk. No I did it because I happen to believe the values the country was founded on (and they were liberal values, issues of self-determination, dissent and personal liberty) are important.

Your scatological nonsense is not only un-american, it is anti-american and while I may be protecting your right to be both mis-informed and bigoted, I, at least, sign my name to my beliefs and stepped up to the plate by enlisting.

I know, for a fact, that the first is beyond you, and suspect the latter as well.

So, put up or shut up, and be aware that I have more respect for the president than I ever will for you.

TK

Re: Batch of bleedin' heart crap

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Well, what an articulate and well reasoned comment.

On the off chance that the coward who left this comment returns to see what kind of replies it generated, I'll say here and now that TK (the writer of this journal) is a good man and a good soldier. He'd have even made a good Marine if he'd joined the Corps. He's certainly earned the right to express his hard-learned opinions on matters of national defense and troop morale.

The author of the anonymous comment, on the other hand, shows no evidence of being the equal of a good soldier, or even a pimple on a good soldier's ass.

[normallyweird.livejournal.com]

That's all fine and dandy for the "I'm a follower not a leader types" but where's the picture of a US soldier's daughter crying over her dead father's body. I'm sure she's glad he went to Iraq.

[splitpeasoup.livejournal.com]

Hi - I found this entry while randomly surfing around.

I like your journal in general. May I add you as a friend?

[pecunium.livejournal.com]

Sure.

TK