Comments for Sigh.

Sigh.

2006-07-11T12:43:51Z

Yes, I know about the video. No, I'm not going to watch it or link to those who have it. Truth? My own little slice of perspective-driven truth? It's not news any more. The fact that our opponents in the Middle East hack off heads for malicicious, sadistic, makes 'em funny-in-the-pants terroristic purposes is not news. And an orgy about it in the blogosphere and MSM adds nothing to the debate but ups the Google count for those sites hosting the video, linking to it, etc - and spreads the message-by-proxy. I did do Nick Berg. That was then, this is now. Does it truly inform us of anything? If you needed that to buck up your flagging resolve, your resolve isn't a core value. Hey, your mileage may differ, and if you need to see the video, Google will point you there.

This is *not* the criticism of those sites linking/hosting the video you might think. From a conventional perspective it's still news, and it's new because they're American soldiers, and at least one of those sites has established itself as a serious source for this kind of information. But I'm not jumping onto that bandwagon which will be covered by others and I have nothing new to offer.

The leadership in the box now has a fresh challenge - keeping the lid on the troops, keeping 'em focused, and making sure we have no acts of vengeance, carried out in the heat of the moment, involving innocents. Always a challenge for the junior leader in combat, moreso with something like this to fuel the flames.

Like it or no, frustrating or not, we need to maintain our discipline, ruck up, and soldier on - as professionals.

And I'm sure we will.

Lastly, this result needs to inform the Courts Martial of those soldiers whose actions seemingly sparked this event, if that connection can be made with evidentiary rigor. Not in the guilt or innocence phase - but in the punishment phase.

Actions have consequences - and the unintended ones are as much a part of it as the intended ones.

And this in no way excuses the perpetrators of these acts of desecration.

Here at Castle Argghhh! we will remember Privates First Class Kristian Menchaca and Thomas Tucker as soldiers, not news fodder.

Now is the time at Castle Argghhh! when we dance: In Memoriam.

Comment from Trias on 2006-07-13

2006-07-13T10:13:23Z

Two more soldiers who should be alive. We know this is a brutal war. One side though small has no depth to which they will not go. John it's your call. To me showing the video is either or. I have no interest in seeing it personally. As for the claims. They are worth nothing to me. If there is something to be said, let the right claimants make the claim in the right place.

Comment from tommy in nyc on 2006-07-12

2006-07-12T12:39:05Z

The purpose of the sadists who made that video and no I do not need to watch it is to try to recruit more mujhadeen to become martyrs. It really isn't anything more than a crude recruiting video. Well I guess the GWOT will continue........which sucks but what else can we do?

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2006-07-12

2006-07-12T12:28:42Z

Bubblehead - like I said, if you need the boost, your resolve on this issue is not a core value. Which means you are correct - those who would lead in this war (and war it is, these are but campaigns ((Hi Dave!)) in a larger context that is but dimly understood by *everyone* (see Hundred Years War for an example) have to periodically do the leadership thing and remind people Why We Fight. Just not here. This is more a place to escape the breathlessness and chill for a bit, chew the fat, and then move back out to the fray. We're one of the pubs on Blog Row. And, since I didn't have anything to add to the breathless-to-sober stuff on other sites, I did what I do best round here. I'm not a pundit, really. I'm not a journalist, either. I'm more a chronicler in the auld sense of the term. And I honor those I chronicle, when apt. It's what I do. Though I do occasionally kick over the traces and get seized by the ranting disease. Dusty is better at that than I am, if we can get him in his cockpit. Which means getting him out of a real cockpit, which makes it *rather* a challenge!

Comment from Murray on 2006-07-12

2006-07-12T11:02:09Z

Bubblehead, I accept your position but nothing that look at will make me alter my thinking in anyway shape or form. This is as angry as I get and I've been this way for a while. I want you to consider one word for a bit. Dignity.

Comment from Bubblehead on 2006-07-12

2006-07-12T06:40:07Z

I respectfully disagree with you on this one, while recognizing that your point is very valid. I did watch the video, and while I didn't need the reminder of what we're fighting against, I think there are those who do (not on this site, but other places). It's like the video clips of people jumping from the WTC; we still need to be convinced, as a nation, that the world should learn to fear the reaction of the "American street", and maybe not do the things that would set us off.

Comment from Wild Thing on 2006-07-11

2006-07-12T03:54:43Z

I agree I want to remember them as soldiers, and I want to thank you for your post about this. Some news really is not fit to print and this is one of those times.

Comment from seawitch on 2006-07-11

2006-07-12T03:01:15Z

Perfect.

Comment from Murray on 2006-07-11

2006-07-12T00:35:54Z

We're dealing with murders and sadly a media who use the enforcing of 17 UN resolutions in disarming Saddam as an excuse for Sept 11. A little time line smears that little claim. They need no excuse. This is their way. Ours is to stop them and those like them. These two soldiers fell doing just that.

Comment from MCart on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T21:18:45Z

If the revenge statement were accurate, it would suggest something fairly frightening regarding the insurgents intel gathering abilities. I don't quite buy it. Thier track record doesn't indicate this kind of ability, to me.

Comment from Cassandra on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T21:03:40Z

You know, it is days like today which make me glad I don't follow the news closely.

Comment from Cricket on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T20:54:21Z

Amen.

Comment from beth on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T18:53:06Z

Perfect is right!

Comment from John of Argghhh! on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T18:33:43Z

Hence my use of the term "evidentiary vigor". And it almost doesn't matter in the regard - whether a planned or fortuitious propaganda coup, it is what it is.

Comment from AFSister on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T17:49:58Z

Personally, I think they're using the murder/rape charges as an excuse after-the-fact. If the insurgents were really out for revenge, they would have advertised it BEFORE the killings, or immediately after... not after the funerals.

Comment from Barb on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T15:06:47Z

I echo Maggie ... I knew you would remember the most important thing - our soldiers.

Comment from Maggie on 2006-07-11

2006-07-11T13:20:04Z

Perfect.