"overzealous politicians and a frenzied press distorted facts." Jessica lynch

[rodeodance]

OP-ED
Politics During Wartime

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/27/opinion/27delong.html?_r=1&th&emc=th&oref=slogin

By MICHAEL DELONG
Published: April 27, 2007


AS the deputy commander at United States Central Command from 2001 to 2003, I represented the military in dealing with politicians regarding the capture and rescue of Pfc. Jessica D. Lynch in Iraq, and thus I can speak with authority about what really happened after her maintenance convoy got lost near Nasiriya in 2003 and she was taken prisoner. I feel compelled to respond to accusations that have been made in recent days by several politicians.

......

The politicians repeatedly said that a medal would be good for women in the military; I responded that the paramount issue was finding out what had really happened.


.............

A nation needs heroes. Hero-making in itself is not a bad thing. But hero-making without grounds is. In the case of Ms. Lynch, overzealous politicians and a frenzied press distorted facts. For these politicians to step forward now and accuse the military of capitalizing on the Jessica Lynch story is utter hypocrisy.

Michael DeLong, a retired Marine lieutenant general, is the author, with Noah Lukeman, of “A General Speaks Out: The Truth About the Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Enlarge This Image
Anthony Russo