I haven't yet read about the American, but the Iraqi woman's tale is very moving. Imagine training in the midst of sniper fire. God. It sounds like the sport is basically her lifeline to sanity.
one American
I'm surprised those assholes didn't try and yank her medal.
President Bush has forcefully backed the Army's restrictions, asserting in a January 2005 interview with the Washington Times that there should be "no women in combat." Since her heroic actions, however, Brown was promoted to specialist and has been congratulated by Cheney in Afghanistan, praised in a meeting with Bush at a NATO summit in Romania, and offered a job on the White House staff.
Make up your mind, assholes! (But then, anything for propaganda, I suppose.)
Oh, and one more woman for ye. She implies she's in the green zone.
and one Iraqi.
Damn. She's crazier than I am.
max
['They'll have to give her a medal just for surviving.']
This thread isn't getting enough love. Read the stories!
"I've seen a lot of grown men who didn't have the courage and weren't able to handle themselves under fire like she did," said Staff Sgt. Aaron Best of Canton, N.C., Robbins's gunner that day. "She never missed a beat."
Yeah, she's pretty good looking brave, for a girl.
I'm not saying she didn't do a good job or didn't merit recognition, but why the hell is it regarded as more remarkable when a woman shows courage under fire than a man?
Only 5 comments in more than 12 hours? That's like an unfogged record of some kind. Isn't that conveeeenient? Second woman since WWII to get a Silver Star - I'm wondering why this heartwarming piece of nonpartisan triumph isn't all over CNN right now, instead of hour 7123 of Reverend Wright-watch. But then I'm naive like dat.
5: It shouldn't be, but it is, and I took the guy to be describing her heroism based on those assumptions.
All I could think about the Iraqi runner is whether she'd be able to get asylum somewhere, and whether she'd be alive by Beijing.
The media has done a piss poor job of telling the stories of the heroes of this war. Do you know the names of the Medal of Honor winners? Navy Cross? Silver Star? Outside of their units and families, no one cares.
8 - yeah, why is that? Is it because talking about the honorees would also require talking about the casualties? And our CoC has famously refused to be present for the whole flag-draped coffin business, which to me puts paid to any claim to militaristic patriotism etc. I mean, I know it's all a cock-up and so forth, but some part of me keeps at least looking for some consistency.
Outside of their units and families, no one cares.
But really, this is as it should be. Elevating military honors above all others serves no good purpose.
10, 11: That is actually a fairly stunning bit of nerd synchronicity.
Ogged, punch Sifu; he owes you a coke now.
10!
10!
FUCK
The Greek and Norwegian judges gave top marks to marichiweu's comment, but it seems the Estonian judge was less impressed.
Good to see these touching stories are finally getting the commentary they deserve.
22: I'm not really sure how I feel about the Iraqi woman. On the one hand, quite reasonably, it's clearly meant as a triumph of the human spirit story. OTOH, whenever I see these sorts of stories about Iraqis, particularly women, I worry that the Iraqis are taking too many risks and will, for one reason or another, get killed by thugs. Which makes me feel very K-Lo.
You know, I sometiems wonder whether the Unfoggetariat aren't spending too much time together.
24: Don't beat around the bush, John, next thing you'll be saying you like us but you're not in like with us.
24: Don't beat around the bush, John, next thing you'll be saying you like us but you're not in like with us.
20: 10! 10! FUCK.
The Greek and Norwegian judges gave top marks to marichiweu's comment, but it seems the Estonian judge was less impressed.
Or else the judge was very impressed.