...And Justice for All
I've written several posts about the great men that I serve with and have served with here in Afghanistan. They're what makes America great and the driving force that's rebuilding an Army and a country here. Well; much to my dismay I came across articles on both Bouhammer and Bill and Bobs about this hugely distasteful skit on the Onion. Lampooning wounded warriors. I can say with certainty that one of my greatest fears here is that something will happen to one of my soldiers, they will be wounded or worse killed and the idea that that an organization would then make fun of them makes me want to vomit.
Many soldiers who have been wounded wish only to return to their units and continue the fight with their buddies. I've heard and seen soldiers that despite life altering injuries express only the desire to return to the fight. These are not the types of people to ridicule.
This skit must be taken off the Onion! No if, ands or buts about it. 10 Silver Stars were awarded several days ago to Special Forces Soldiers that fought a pitched battle to save themselves and their Afghan comrades and this is the way the soldiers are repaid.
Incredible that Burger King which is on every military instillation is and advertiser. BK is even in Iraq and one of their stores on BIAP was hit by a mortar, and yet they stand with this ilk.
Old Blue, the blogger that got me started, has an excellent post with editorial information and advertisers on his blog which I've provided a link to below. Please read it and send an email to the Onion and the their advertisers. I see enough forwarded if your my friend emails going around that we can take the time to send these ingrates and email letting them know that this is unacceptable.
Please visit the link below and express our great displeasure with the Onion. I've sent my emails already as has the rest of the team, join us in this fight.
Thanks,
VAMPIRE 06
http://billandbobsadventure.blogspot.com/2008/12/sacrosanct.html
Hey, Vampire6, Good on ya lad! Will send my e-mails ASAP! It might do your heart good to look at the Santa Cruz Sentinel website 12/13/08. (Santa Cruz Ca.) We are Berkeley South which I hate, but, the paper actually ran an article on Silver Star/Bronze star recipients - outstanding! I left a post saying much of what you said re: our fine fighting men/women and what it is to be an AMERICAN!!! You are what we are made of. I do volunteer work at the VA hospital Palo Alto, Ca.and have seen the honor, courage and valor of our wounded warriors. I had the honor of getting to know a young Marine who had lost both legs, an eye and 3 fingers to an IED.I witnessed a physical therapy session with this young man and I can tell you, he just doesn't quit. And, yes, he would go back in a heart beat to be with his Band of Brothers. All of the wounded I have met feel the same - no regets. Keep up the good work. I Love your BLOG. HooAhh!! From a Proud Navy Mom & adopted mom of an Army Ranger. God Bless Ya!! Mary Kay Zaineb,Aptos, CA. p.s. how can I send your unit goodies? Please advise.
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Hi TT,
Went to the link and read the post and saw the video...really physically nauseating to me... this is a partial version of what I posted on B&B comment. I plan to email similar version as well to the offending parties!
Not only has the line been crossed but an egregious assault has taken place here! How dare these people betray our wounded warriors in this way? By creating and posting such a video, the Onion has demonstrated that it clearly lacks even the smallest measure of understanding regarding these soldiers and the catastrophic nature of their injuries. As citizens it is incumbent upon us to try to understand the enormity of the wounds these soldier’s have endured and losses they have experienced on our behalf.
It will take years to repair the emotional, physical, and psychological scars of this latest generation of warriors and some may never fully recover. The complexity of this issue requires thoughtful and educated study, political awareness, and a willingness by our citizenry to participate in the process. This will ultimately serve to ensure that our returning veterans receive the care and treatment they deserve. With so many of our soldiers suffering from TBI (traumatic brain injury) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), how can anyone in good conscience create something so blatantly condescending and demoralizing to any soldier who has served in our military, let alone those who are still in the fragile early phases of their recovery?
This video is an affront to all soldiers, their families and the citizens of this country. It serves to illuminate its creators as insensitive and inhumane. Our wounded soldiers and their families have enough obstacles to overcome without the added insult of this video. As our wounded soldiers return from the battlefield, they need to be welcomed with compassion and love; in this way they will find the willpower, strength and courage to heal.
“I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.” ~ Clara Barton RN
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.” ~ Jose Narosky
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I've watched the video; it is every bit as offensive as you described. I have written to the Onion and several of it's advertisers demanding it's removal and an apology posted. Thanks for alerting us to this. I can't even imagine what they were thinking.
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Sir,
I protect the First Amendment, even if I don't like what is being said.
BT
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Done Sir. And linked
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Errr, not about the soldiers...wrong no doubt, but it's not about the soldiers.
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Vampire, I respectfully disagree.
The Onion isn't lampooning wounded soldiers - they're making fun of the empty heads that sent those soldiers to war. The boneheads who extended those soldiers tours, and continue to look for new ways to win wars on the cheap.
An even better target (which the Onion skewers even more mercilessly with this skit) are the empty headed pundits who - were the Pentagon to actually suggest sending paraplegic veterans back to war - would unflinchingly look into their camera and tell us what a great idea it was.
Showing the wounded vets wasn't meat to demean them - it was to point out how our leaders and media have absolutely no shame.
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I've already e-mailed my disgust with this treatment of Wounded Warriors. I read Old Blur regularly. Take care.
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Hey Brother, I am going to be the XO for ETT 932. I report to FT Riley 10 Apr 09. Looking forward to continue the good work that you and your men are doing now. The Blog is great! What software/website are you using? I would really like to start one also. Please be safe! Merry Christmas!
See you on the High Ground!
XO, ETT 932
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