Several weeks ago The New Republic published a series of stories written by a U.S. soldier using the pen name "The Baghdad Diarist." The author who's name we now know -- Scott Thomas Beauchamp -- recounted stories of U.S. soldiers and their indefensible behavior while in IRAQ. Tales like U.S. troops getting their kicks by running over dogs with "Bradley fighting vehicles and playing with children's' skulls taken from mass graves." Thomas also described how soldiers in a mess hall openly mocked a woman whose face was severely disfigured from an injury presumably suffered in Iraq.
Shortly after these articles were published bloggers, conservative web sites and even the magazine "The Weekly Standard" started raising questions regarding "Thomas'" reporting.
Thomas fired back at his skeptics, saying his pieces -- one titled "Shock Troops" and his two others -- "have stirred more controversy than he ever could have anticipated." He claimed he wrote under a pseudonym because he wanted to write honestly about his experiences without fear of reprisal. He is then quoted as saying, "I'm willing to stand by my writing of these articles using my real name."
The investigation that was launched after the stories were published is now complete, and U.S. military investigators have determined that Thomas fabricated the tales of troop misconduct.
The issue of credibility is of particular concern for TNR, which fired editor Stephen Glass in 1988 for stories he concocted in two thirds of his 41 articles. With the increasing tendency of media outlets to run unchecked or bogus stories -- take the "fake but accurate" memos pushed by Dan Rather on CBS or the altered photographs provided by Reuters by Israel/Lebanon "War" photographer Aidan Hajj, the media continually exhibits their partisan views in hopes of breaking the big story.
Is this article really a surprise to anybody? The Bush haters at it again creating stories and showing their true colors as the # 1 supporters of the democratic party and left wing movement in the USA. They will continue their campaign at the expense of our national security and our troops all to elect Hillary Clinton. Their unpatriotic practices make me sick to my stomach.
The main stream media probably won't touch this story, but like you said denmitch that is not really surprising. What I would really love is some feedback from some of the other members on this site.
Only way it will be seen outside of tothecenter.com visitors is on a google search! Doubt it will make it onto mainstream news for all the reasons you site.
Oh - I take it back, ABC news has it up... but they are running the cover of the New Republic with Thompson on the cover. No doubt an effort to tie him to the whole thing!
They do have ways to make excrement work in their favor.
I cannot say whether this man's article is based on fact or fabrication...but being a former member of several different infanrty units,I can say that I have encountered men easily capable of such crude behavior....it seems that any comment made these days has to be turned into something political....liberal or conservative...right or left wing...If you can't look around the U.S. every day and see the sick things that people do,and think that some of those people aren't members of our military,you are going through life with blinders on...if he has lied,then he should face repercussions...if not,it is good that he has the integrity to put out controversial material
obiyodan -I think the point of Joan's article was to point out the partisan views that are forced down our throats every day by the liberal MSM in this country. The army has already concluded that these reports were false and the author has acknowledged that he fabricated these stories. It makes me sick to listen to people like yourself make a statement like the one highlighted. I would think someone like yourself who has been in several different infantry units would make a statement like -although there a people in the military who do behave in such a manner the majority of our soldiers are brave, honorable and condut themselves professionally. But you make no such statement, all you do is point out that this story may be true. You say you have encountered men caplable of such behavior, hey pal i have news for you most people are capable of such behavior. Being capable of something and actually doing it are two different things. Are you trying to say you have witnessed such behavior? If so why don't you practice what you preach and have the "integrity to put down this controversial material". If not then how about praising our troops instead of telling the readers on this site what these men you supposedly served with are capable of.
If you can't look around the U.S. every day and see the sick things that people do,and think that some of those people aren't members of our military,you are going through life with blinders on...if he has lied,then he should face repercussions...if not,it is good that he has the integrity to put out controversial material
The TV has an off switch and channel button for a reason. As far as obiyodan's statement concerning some of the sick things people do to others in America - I happen to concur with this viewpoint.
if he has lied,then he should face repercussions...if not,it is good that he has the integrity to put out controversial material
njrepublican...It is interesting that you say that the "Army" has concluded that the reports were false....You can look at almost any article concerning this and find that the article was corraborated by soldiers in his unit...yes,he was a soldier...and of course the army was unable to corraborate any of it....this would have more of an effect on me if I couldn't look back at instances of coverups such as in Pat Tillman's case....I don't doubt the heart or the courage of the soldiers serving now or of the individuals I served with...I served in combat zones as well and you might find it disturbing to see how seamlessly a situation can go in the wrong direction when individuals are put under immense stress....and I ask,are you also a veteran...?....it is hard to have an absolute opinion when you would speak from outside of such an experience....and the almost blind,unquestioning faith you exhibit is a little scary....question things every once in a while...you might actually get some answers
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