Don't be a fool and die for your country. Let the other sonofabitch die for his.
-- General George S. Patton
July 07, 2004
Raped By The Media (Cpl Hassoun Cont.)
Imagine if you will a world of fantasy, a utopia, a place where the media can actually get their facts straight and report reality and not speculation, fiction or general "he said", "she said".
Cpl Wassef Ali Hassoun, a Marine missing since mid June has been reported on in many formats, from front page to middle of the paper.
We have heard that he was "captured". Then we heard that he went willingly with Iraqi's in an effort to desert the US military.
And now the latest news...
On July 4th ABC News reported that Cpl Wassef Ali Hassoun had been killed by the terrorist group known as The Ansar al-Sunna Army. Please read the article.
Today CNN reported that Hassoun was freed and had "contacted the family in West Jordan, Utah, and Lebanon and told them that he had called the U.S. Embassy in Beirut and asked that he be picked up from an undisclosed location in Lebanon. The source said Hassoun sounded healthy and happy." So now he has returned from the dead?
Also today, the Tacoma News Tribune has reported that the family of Hassoun is disputing the claim that he is safe and alive. The tribune reported that the brother of a Marine corporal captured in Iraq is denying new reports that the serviceman has been released and has contacted family members.
"I hope we hear from him, but so far, nothing," Mohamad Hassoun told The Associated Press.
So where are we now? We are absolutely no closer to knowing squat about the fate of Cpl Hassoun.
Is he alive? I hope so! Is he a deserter? I hope not!
Is the media grossly irresponsible? Absolutely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To the family of Wassef Ali Hassoun, I hope he is safe and returns to you soon.
To the media, I challenge you to return to factual unbiased reporting. Many people count on you for the facts, maybe it is time to return to reporting only fact and no speculation.
SlagleRock Out!
The media bemoans Bloggers as the great unwashed of the internet, with our unchecked facts and our stories tainted by personal bias.
Methinks they doth protest too much.
Methinks as well that this is a perfect example of their own scramble to be first, regardless of the facts or the effect of what they publish on the parties involved.
Posted by: Mamamontezz at July 7, 2004 07:02 PMWhats that term? Oh yeah, Verbal Incontinence - although it's completely embarrassing, they just can't stop the words from dribbling out uncontrollably
Posted by: Jack at July 7, 2004 08:05 PMLike many other folks, I have taken to the internet and bloggers who "are there" to get most of my news of the Middle East and other affairs.
This latest "news" fiasco is just another example of irresponsibility on the part of mainstream news. Whateverthehell ever happened to FACT CHECKING YOUR ASS?? Sorry, to yell, but this REALLY FROSTS ME!
Hassoun's poor family must be riding the roller coaster from hell.
Mamma M., she's a smart cookie and has hit a nail on the head, too. The "unwashed" bloggers are puttin' the hurt on those guys. Our pro-bloggers out there on point are kicking their butts. It's too much to hope that it might change them.
and Jack - good one! "Hey, Media! That puddle you are standing in is yours, ya nozzles!"
Posted by: Bonfire7 at July 7, 2004 08:53 PMNot much on this one. the terroist held 2 soldiers 1 white, the other middle eastern. Which one walked? Maybe it is up to Allah vs God as the answer. But 500 miles to his own country, someone got taxi service to his front door.
Posted by: Lance at July 23, 2004 09:39 AMVery nice comments you guys have here, congratulations and thanks to allowing my post...
Posted by: Phendimetrazine at April 15, 2005 01:26 PM