Spinning Jessica (1271 hits)
Category: PoliticsRating: -1.64 on 43 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by Adam Harker <kingdamien3.at.yahoo.com> (View user info) at 2005-10-06 10:14:05 EDT
On 2 April 2003, a team of US Navy SEALS and Army Rangers were flown in by
helicopter to storm the Nasseriya general hospital and rescue 19-year-old
soldier Jessica Lynch. The US media, airing the videotape of the assault
released by the Pentagon, painted a scene of valiant commandos bravely
defying hostile fire in order to save their blonde, teenage compatriot
from the clutches of Iraqi soldiers -- i.e. primitive barbarians --
somewhere deep in the heart of the scorching desert. The videotaped rescue
operation fired enthusiasm for the war on Iraq among American spectators
who -- correctly, if we may use that term -- confused the news footage
with a made-for-TV film. After all, how often has that same screen in
their living rooms brought them action dramas featuring intrepid American
fighters rushing to rescue a beautiful journalist, doctor or secret agent
from her savage captors whose malicious grins open to reveal obscene black
gaps or gold capped teeth, and whose every physical contact with their
female captive suggests repressed oriental lust? Hollywood films leave
little to the spectator's imagination; indeed, they shape his imagination,
usually in the crudest possible terms.
Behind the scenes, the Pentagon did a superb job of spinning the legend.
An unnamed "official" told the press that Lynch had been captured in an
Iraqi ambush, but only after having put up a tenacious fight, continuing
to fire even after sustaining multiple wounds until she finally ran out of
ammunition. "She didn't want to be captured alive," declared the
spokesman. The account appeared in the Washington Post on 3 April beneath
the headline, "She was fighting to the death!" If that was the Post, it is
not difficult to imagine how FOXnews played it.
The first blow to the legend came from the US military hospital in Germany
where the American soldier was being treated after her "rescue". Evidence
revealed no signs of bullet wounds or any other combat-related injuries.
Instead, she had a head wound and some broken bones, which doctors
attributed to the overturning of the vehicle she had been using when she
was captured.
This revelation whetted the press's appetite for more, and it was not long
before the BBC, followed by the Guardian and the Toronto Star, tore the
rest of the myth apart, piece by piece, leaving only a young soldier in a
hospital in Washington barred from meeting journalists. NBC was plunged
into a state of collective anxiety over whether or not to go ahead with
its film project, regardless of the enormous dents newly revealed facts
were punching into the original story line. In an article satirising the
network's predicament, veteran "60 minutes" producer Barry Lando suggested
that the network would have few qualms at departing from the truth. As his
fictional NBC corporate executive remarks, "What people remember are the
first sensational reports they heard, not the page 17, nit-picking
follow-ups."
So what exactly did happen? According to staff at the Nasseriya hospital,
such as Dr Hareth Hassouna, the US raid came a full two days after Iraqi
forces had withdrawn from the hospital. They have also described what was,
in fact, the only truly daring operation in the entire affair. The day
after the Iraqi forces pulled out, Jessica's doctors put her in an
ambulance and set off to drive her to the American forces which were
stationed about a kilometre outside of the city. The ambulance, however,
never made it. US forces opened fire on them before the medical team got
an opportunity to tell them that their "maiden in distress" was inside the
van and ready to be handed over.
It also transpired that only hours before they launched their assault on
the hospital, the SEALS, using an Arabic translator, had asked
neighbourhood residents, among them hospital staff member Hussam Hamoud,
whether or not there were any Iraqi soldiers present in the building. They
were repeatedly told that the answer was no, that the soldiers had left
two days before. Even so, the Americans were determined not to let that
stop them from staging their spectacular operation behind the nonexistent
lines of a nonexistent enemy.
To cries of "Go! Go! Go!" they burst into the hospital, guns blasting, red
laser beams cutting through the darkness -- for true to the Hollywood
script, they had cut the main electricity beforehand. Having blown up 12
doors, they then chose the only room in the hospital without windows, the
X-ray department, to begin their search. They seized a hospital
administrator whom they held in an open- air prison camp for three days.
Yet in the end it was members of the hospital staff who finally showed
them to the room where Jessica was being treated and who subsequently took
them to the place where US soldiers brought to the hospital dead had been
buried.
And how exactly had the Nasseriya hospital physicians and staff treated
Private Ryan -- sorry, Lynch -- since her arrival with a wound in her head
and a few broken limbs? Remember, we are talking about a hospital that was
inundated at that time with more than 2000 wounded and 400 dead, most of
them Iraqi civilians. Under such dire circumstances, aggravated by lack of
medical supplies and food, the American soldier got the best of what
little was available. She was given the best possible food, and when that
fell short, staff members brought her food from their own homes. As stocks
of blood were low, they donated two bottles of their own blood. There were
more than a hundred Iraqi patients who needed platinum plates to repair
shattered bones. The hospital had only three; one was given to Jessica.
American military doctors later congratulated the Nasseriya physicians for
the successful operation they performed on Lynch's arm. And when Jessica
came to, terrified -- her fears probably fed by Hollywood films -- she was
attended by the best nurse on the staff, a mother of three, who treated
her as though she were her own daughter.
This was the story of a young, frightened soldier, not a combat heroine;
of doctors, nurses and hospital administrators who did all they could
possibly do and more to save and care for their foreign "guest", towards
whom Arab custom would demand generous hospitality. It was also the story
of an American military raid, accompanied by cameramen in military dress,
that encountered no fighting and no one to fight against, and of the
eternally anonymous military spokesman who, referring to the young woman
later in hospital in Washington where she was barred from interviews, told
the press: "She basically has amnesia and has mentally blocked out the
horrible things we strongly believe she went through."....
User Reviews
Submitted by myshit (user info) at 2008-08-26 06:21:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
/ \/|
| |/^\--
\ | | \
\\\\\\ _ |\_/ \
_|O \\ | / \ \
\ \\/ / \ \
| "\_/ | |
\_______\| | |
\ \ | |
/-----\ | |
Submitted by a_reader (user info) at 2005-12-05 00:35:57 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
I'm doing my best to give the title of worst ever to a post that is more deserving than this one:
http://www.ubersite.com/m/38407
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-10-28 01:34:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-28-19 01:33:39 (#)
Ranking: 2
There is a solid page of ok writing with -2s. That is stupid. I am weeding it all out by giving every one of them a +2; that way posts that have -1.67 with 120+ reviews gets worst ever.
Submitted by Confuzitron (user info) at 2005-10-25 09:50:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
20 days and this still pisses me off.
Submitted by Dead_0hi0_Sky (user info) at 2005-10-20 23:43:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
like anyone cares.
Submitted by joedaddy (user info) at 2005-10-20 23:37:50 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
.
Submitted by w_t_a_y_s_t_r_m (user info) at 2005-10-18 14:23:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
This is nearly interesting. Other than the content.
And the title.
And the author.
Other than that, spot on, bucketcunt
Submitted by WildcatMcGee (user info) at 2005-10-13 12:00:30 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by Confuzitron (user info) at 2005-10-13 09:42:11 (#)
Ranking: -2
F
I
S
T
Y
O
U
R
S
E
L
F
!
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-13 11:48:14 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:14:54 (#)
Ranking: 2
"Opens the doors to the review room and let's the fags in."
Submitted by Confuzitron (user info) at 2005-10-13 09:42:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
F
I
S
T
Y
O
U
R
S
E
L
F
!
Submitted by Stabkill (user info) at 2005-10-09 04:08:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Old news... And the Guardian has been known to produce false news stories... so what? I really don't care what happened...She got herself nearly killed because she was a shitty driver.
Submitted by Phallic_Cymbals (user info) at 2005-10-09 03:59:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Worst Post Ever.
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-09 00:50:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Review queers in full force :)
Why don't you go blow Bill O'Reilly
Maybe that queer will spin factor your candy ass' as in plural.
Submitted by a_reader (user info) at 2005-10-07 03:35:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
I'm just so fucking impatient.
Submitted by a_reader (user info) at 2005-10-07 03:35:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
This is one review from worst ever.
Submitted by Phallic_Cymbals (user info) at 2005-10-06 19:50:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 19:37:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
The very first review reads:
"Opens the doors to the review room and let's the fags in."
This story is just filler. Just a slick joke. I wanted to see how fast WildSideMcGee and the rest of you freaks would pounce. He arrived at the speed of a fast dump. Just how fast would you UBERSITE would-be journalist's and wanna-be's,arrive in your Clark Kent black framed glasses and pocket protector's armed with your freshly sharpened #2 pencil dicks and clits to flame.
The answer was pretty darn fast. About 5 minutes and the vampires started showing up smelling blood.
I would hope my fire department could be so fast to put out a fire as you freaks are given the chance to be little queers *L*
You peeps are amusing.
Submitted by SilvrWolf (user info) at 2005-10-06 18:00:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
It's painfully obvious that the best part of you ran down your mother's leg, you plagiarist cocksmoker.
No procreation for you - ever.
Submitted by JonnyX (user info) at 2005-10-06 17:11:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
OMG DID YOU KNOW PRESIDENT JOHNSON LIED ABOUT TEH TONKIN GULF OMG EXPOSE
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2005-10-06 16:43:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
but i think he meant 'seem'
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2005-10-06 16:42:12 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by mbstateside (user info) at 2005-10-06 11:09:42 (#)
Ranking: -2
Half way through reading this I was thinking how the hell has this got all -2's.
Then I found out it was plagarism. You're a dick. This could still have been a good post. You could've just paraphrased the article and opened it up for discussion. Instead you tried to steal glory that wasn't yours and call people fags when they call you out on it.
What a wondefull addition to uber you seam to be.
---
YUP
YOU JUST GOT EFFED IN THE AYE!!!
Submitted by Yes (user info) at 2005-10-06 16:31:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Yellow pants are only whistle time sockdrawer talking ,man!
Submitted by DudeThatsBOSH (user info) at 2005-10-06 16:27:40 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
uh?
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 16:08:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:14:54 (#)
Ranking: 2
The very first review reads:
"Opens the doors to the review room and let's the fags in."
This story is just filler. Just a slick joke. I wanted to see how fast WildSideMcGee and the rest of you freaks would pounce. He arrived at the speed of a fast dump. Just how fast would you UBERSITE would-be journalist's and wanna-be's,arrive in your Clark Kent black framed glasses and pocket protector's armed with your freshly sharpened #2 pencil dicks and clits to flame.
The answer was pretty darn fast. About 5 minutes and the vampires started showing up smelling blood.
I would hope my fire department could be so fast to put out a fire as you freaks are given the chance to be little queers *L*
You peeps are amusing.
Submitted by FartSmeller (user info) at 2005-10-06 11:21:41 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
F.Y.I. cumguzzler:
It's common practice on this site to offer up a source when you cut and paste some shit off the web.
FUCKING IDIOT.
Submitted by Fartman (user info) at 2005-10-06 11:14:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
bibliography
n : a list of writings with time and place of publication (such as the writings of a single author or the works referred to in preparing a document etc.)
Submitted by mbstateside (user info) at 2005-10-06 11:09:42 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Half way through reading this I was thinking how the hell has this got all -2's.
Then I found out it was plagarism. You're a dick. This could still have been a good post. You could've just paraphrased the article and opened it up for discussion. Instead you tried to steal glory that wasn't yours and call people fags when they call you out on it.
What a wondefull addition to uber you seam to be.
Submitted by domenad (user info) at 2005-10-06 11:09:34 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
No Comment
Submitted by Jeanneee (user info) at 2005-10-06 11:09:08 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
WTF I'm not reading all that
Submitted by Orgasmatron (user info) at 2005-10-06 11:03:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Your plagiaristic bullshit here will be just about as successful as your first marriage.
And if you're going to 'open the door for the fags' you may want to reconsider having 'magick' in your name. Unless you're going to cast Level 1,000 Wrath of Goatse on everyone or something...
Submitted by WildcatMcGee (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:59:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
YAY! Now I have a Golden Penis. What will I do with it you say? I shall name it Eduardo.
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:47:07 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I wanted to see how fast WildsideMcGee would arrive on the scene and it was faster than any of us thought. That's fucking priceless.
Man you made the scene at blinding speed to be the first review snob.
You win the Golden Penis award.
WOW
Submitted by DJMattB241 (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:44:03 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
anyone who types *L* needs to get punched in the crotch.
Submitted by WildcatMcGee (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:43:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
We all get the joke. It's very clever. How's that working out for you? You know, being clever and all. Not so good? Yeah, thought so. Dimwit.
Submitted by AshK (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:37:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Looks like the first fag in the room was you, princess.
Oh and...
Wooo! I'm a fag! Maybe I'll get a better wardrobe, now.
Submitted by Mike00295 (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:32:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:22:17 (#)
Ranking: -2
thief
Submitted by wookie (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:30:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:14:54 (#)
Ranking: 2
"Opens the doors to the review room and let's the fags in."
----------------------------------------------
Your ratings on your own posts don't count.
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:29:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Let's see who's the first queer in the door *L*
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:28:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
See the first review by me and take it to heart :)
The story is just filler.
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:23:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
Apparently you have no writing ability. These aren't your words.
---------------
I was just about to mightly praise the rhetoric of this piece before I read that.
I'm very dissapointed that you would steal someone elses work, you should be ashamed of yourself.
Submitted by Sassmasterr (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:22:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
thief
Submitted by WildcatMcGee (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:19:49 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
http://www.zmag.org/content/showarticle.cfm?ItemID=3751
http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/641/op2.htm
Apparently you have no writing ability. These aren't your words. This piece isn't even attributed to the original writer. Plagiarism is a bitch and so are you.
Oh yeah, great comeback on my other post, "Your a dipshit. Why don't you go have a contraction on a dog's dick."
Once again, 'your' has been misused and your sentence just doesn't make sense.
Submitted by Magickmuse (user info) at 2005-10-06 10:14:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"Opens the doors to the review room and let's the fags in."