"Lynch says army used me"

[Lohman446]

Ok... maybe this is not right and I need to preface it. First off I am exceptionally grateful to all the soldiers in Iraq and all the soldiers in America who have ever signed up and taken on the duty of protecting all of us. You have taken on a duty that the country is eternally indebted to you for and given up the very rights you swear to protect in doing it - no amount of of benefits can repay you, and it seems at times that we don't even try (the military pay scale sucks).

Most anything that Lynch does or says is forgiveable, and I will not place blame on her for the media frenzy that would report her every word, thought, deed, or in action. I am sure most of us would not want to live at the center of such a storm.

That being said... does it suprise anyone that the army used a soldier, in any position, to its benefit? Is it wrong for the army to hype up a rescue in order to build morale, for instance taping it? It seems to me that it is the army that did it and had a solid reason for doing it.

BTW - I don't mean for this to be a debate about being in Iraq. Although I personally agree that we should have been there for many reasons I am not getting into that. The army is given an order, and it is the place of the army to carry out that order. Was the treatment of Lynch's rescue out of line?

[shartley]

.. No comment ... (Old School here.... enought said)

[Rooster]

Everyone uses everyone else. Its a simple fact of existance in a community of other individuals. To deny such a fact is stupid.

[sharpshooter1286]

yea rooster has a pretty good point on this one

[PyRo]

I don't know half this story. But it using a rescue to boost moral is all they did, i'm all for it. What harm did it cause her?

[Collegeboy]

There have been reports that the whole rescue was staged. Reports say that she was handed over earlier but the rescue we saw was staged to boost public approval.

Now I am not saying this is true, just stating it. (Something I know people will say I am a believer in)

If the above is true, that is sad, and leads to numerous other questions.

[Lohman446]

This is what I beleive on the rescue, understand I have only seen the coverage of it and have no information other than that spoon fed me.

I beleive that the military was given a location of Lynch - I also beleive the same person that gave them this information classified it as a very non-combative situation.

I beleive the military used more force, a lot more, than was required to complete the rescue. I do not fault the military for this. If this military had sent in a lesser force (either in numbers or ability) and they had been killed in an ambush, or had resulted in Lynch being held longer, it would have been a tragedy. I also would like to point out the differences if this had happened, those complaining about the rescue now would have surely complained about the failure. (Please note I compare these type of person to the person who complains we did not act before 9/11 and then complains about actions today).

I beleive the military, in a foreign hostile country, has the duty to each individual soldier, to use overwhelming force (either with numbers, technology, or training) to help assure a high relative safety (safety in war being an oxymoron).

So in a way I have to agree with CB, I beleive she was handed over with words - she is here, there is noone there who will resist you recovering her. That being said I beleive the rescue as we saw it was prudent, at least the force. I also ask, what if a big reason they did it how they did it was moral or propaganda - was it wrong then? I hate to say that I do not beleive so, I beleive the military has an obligation to use every method at its disposal in an open conflict to attain the goals set for it - I do not beleive the military has any place, other than strategic, in setting the overall goals.

[than205]

You gotta ask 2 things.
1. Why film it?
2. Why release it?

[Mango]

Phase 1: Film Rescue
Phase 2: ?
Phase 3: Make Profit

[Konigballer]

I just think its completely lame how she recieved the Bronze Star for her ordeal. In no way did she qualify to get it. It was just a total PR stunt for the Army and the administration.

She never fired her weapon once in the whole ambush, "it jammed"

Her injuries, wich were from a crash with another vehicle, were not from bullets, and bayonets as reported early on. However, you cant make "heroes" out of vehicle crashes so they had to make it sound better.

All of the other people in her unit that were with her and had been killed or captured recieved the Purple Star. They didnt get any bs hero treatement. Lynch should only have recieved the Purple Star.

I cant blame her at all for signing book deals an what not, I mean the Army's using her so she might as well do the same to them right?

Its just sad how the Army decorates this women with a combat medal while many people who actually serve with valor on the battlefield go undecorated or their deeds unpublished. Of course this is nothing new in war,
I just dont like seeing it done so brazenly and then having the whole thing lovingly packaged for TV movie enjoyment.

[p8ntball1016]

they used her as a hero simply as a propaganda machine. now that the american people are starting to learn the truth that wont work anymore.

[shartley]

Originally posted by p8ntball1016
they used her as a hero simply as a propaganda machine. now that the american people are starting to learn the truth that wont work anymore.

And about time.... some of us didn't really believe it in the first place.

[oldsoldier]

I totally agree that she did nothing above and beyond the call of duty to warrant a medal. The Army gives medals away freely these days. There were more medals awarded in the brief Gulf War than there were in the entire Viet Nam campaign. (Maybe not exactly, but damn close). The free giving out of medals has soured it for those who truly deserve it. I personally have seen OFFICERS awarded medals for bravery, when they were not anywhere NEAR the AO at the time of the incident. This has ruined it alot for the common soldier. It is pretty sad to see awards handed out like candy, especially when they are given for someone who is simply doing their job. It takes away from the meaning behind it.

[p8ntball1016]

thats been happening in the military for ages. the grunts get a couple of medals and the brass back at base 1000 miles away get the same damn medals.

[MantisMag]

i just went to see the matrix and i saw a preview for a movie based on her. i am so pissed off right now. somehow as soon as they showed the sandy streets with hummers rolling through them i knew what it was going to be. i got this sinking feeling in my stomach like "oh no. they wouldn't. yes they would. oh please no." this is just absolutely ridiculous.