Curmudgeonly & Skeptical

Captive men can be subjected to pretty much the same thing as captive women. Sexual assault is not about sex, but about dominance.

Actually, I never mentioned sexual assault -- I didn't have to. I'm not sure, but I'll venture a guess that you're a woman, oui? Men have quite different responses to such things -- I have never coupled thoughts about a male POW and sexual assault in my life.

I concur with your guess, Rodger. Men DO have a different attitude about women being harmed and that is something that we women MUST understand. We cannot fully comprehend it, but we must accept it. This isn't a question of equal rights; it is a question of responsibility.

And to correct that thinking that it’s all about dominance… it isn’t. It’s all about sex and it’s all about violating women to enrage men and make them lose their cool and their composure—which puts the men at greater risk. W

e can keep saying it is all about dominance. Men even nod in agreement when we do. But it isn't. If you question most men, they will admit they've been agreeing outwardly, but they do not agree inwardly. If women talk to the men around them, really talk to them (and listen), they'll realize they men very different opinions about it.

The vast majority of the soldiers are men--always has been, always will be. If the presence of women makes men feel that they must "look out for the women" then it puts them at risk. Soldiers should be worried about their own skin and their job, not the weaker members of the team.

If women think that's too bad, that men shouldn't have to do that, then they are acting and thinking irresponsibly.

We might not like to admit it, but men DO watch out for us. They DO feel responsible for "the weaker sex." Men deal differently with men who are slow or show weakness in training. They either bully them into readiness or they don't make it through basic training.

Women should not be in combat. If, for no other reason, that it makes it harder on OUR men in combat.

War isn't about equal opportunity and fairness. It's about war and winning that war. Women are behaving selfishly by demanding equal opportunity in the military. It is muddled thinking.

I'd jump on the next plane to take the place of some young man if I could, but I'd be putting the others at greater risk, as they would feel obliged to watch out for this ol' Mom.

Extremely well said! Y'all take note.

Eh, I'm hardbitten from all my time in the legions. If word gets out amongst the steely-eyed killers at the point of the speer, it can help get them to where they need to be mentally to do their job. I don't think that the trigger-pullers will hear about this gal til they get home. There are no chicks where they are, or newspapers, or internet connectivity.

We made a big deal about Japs not surrendering in WWII, but the rest of the story was that when they were ready, we'd become.... something less than compassionate.

A valid point, but I still think women in a combat theatre are poison.

Yes, sexual assault is MOST assuredly about dominance. I didn't sit throught the friggin' FBI classes on sexual predators without learning at least that. Till you've interviewed sexual predators or their victims - and I have - do not presume to tell anyone what sexual assault is all about.

Men have different responses to what things? Sexual assault perpetrated on men or on women. I'm not clear what you meant there.

Men want to protect us???? Swell. They'll have to get over it. Women need to learn to protect themselves.

Sexual predators and 'raping and pillaging' as part of spoils of war are two seperate events.

"They'll have to get over it."

No, YOU have to get over it. It is the way things ARE. This isn't Disneyland. We don't get so sprinkle fairy dust over all the men and ask them to behave more like women. Men have been protecting women for millions of years and because you say so, all men are supposed to change? What kind of bullshit is that?

Women protecting themselves and women on the battlefield is the same analogy as men being able to cook to feed themselves and being gourmet cooks. One is basic to our nature (every animal had the instinct to protect itself).

Sorry, Rodger, for infringing on your bandwidth. This accepted standard that it is OK for women to suggest that men "fix themselves" is something that makes my blood boil. Men aren't broken. There is nothing wrong with them EXACTLY as they are. If a man suggested that women stop acting so emotional and bitchy, women would be all over it--but when a woman suggests that men stop feeling protective of women, that's supposed to be acceptable. NOT! Hypocrites.

No, men are not going to change. Women must. As long as we expect men to "protect" us we are perpetuating a paternalistic attitude. Have you not noticed that sexual assault, the largest majority of which is perpetrated by men against women, is the only crime in which the victim is often blamed? Shouldn't have had on a skimpy outfit. Shouldn't have been out at night. Whatever. If your home is burglarized, you would be outraged if someone suggested that it was your fault for having valuable items.

Sexually assaulting a captive (POW or otherwise) is still about dominance. I refer you to
http://www.angelfire.com/home/019pctantisexcrimes/manipulation.htm

Women in battle DO affect the way men act. No you can't sprinkle fairy dust on us and we won't care about the females we serve with. Sex is about sex not about dominance. Clue: Some men just like sex for sex and if there is a woman who can't/won't say no (ie a prisoner) they are going to rape her. If women want to serve they have to understand that all the PC bullshit does not go over when you become a prisoner. If you are a female and a POW YOU ARE GOING TO BE RAPED! Because you have just become a 'free' play for men that probable haven't had any in a while. Sound primal? Sure is, but so is war.

Okay, I did research
http://www.terpsboy.com/archives/000474.html

Well said Sarge.

Cait is obviously a policegirl with a worldview that allows her to take a job for which she is unsuited. She'll twist a knee jumping over a fence, or get rolled under a guy who weighs a hundred lbs more than she does one of these days, and take a medical retirement. They all do.

You may thank the feminists for blurring reality. Female POW's are going to be raped, at least by our enemies. You mean your recruiter didn't tell you about that? Better write your congressperson.

"As long as we expect men to ‘protect’ us we are perpetuating a paternalistic attitude."

What, you have the feminist propaganda handbook by your side for these little tidbits?

That's BULLSHIT. What is even scarier is that you are supposedly working for the FBI? You appear to be a living, breathing example of why affirmative action for women is a mistake. What standard had to be lowered for YOU to get in?

You seem totally incapable of understanding the difference between a cause and effect for one scenario (i.e., abhorrent sexual behavior) and normal sexual behavior in an extreme situation (such as war). You have improperly defined the universe (limited to examples that fit your hypothesis) and are extrapolating that into a separate realm, where it does not apply. Simple restatement: You are comparing apples to oranges.
We live in a paternalist society. ALL societies and nearly all species in the animal kingdom live in "paternalistic societies." You don't get to change that by spitting forth Orwellian slogans with a twist of feminism.

Here's a 2-second Darwin: weak males invite conquer by stronger males. Females who breed with weak males don't survive--neither the females, nor their offspring. Rinse. Repeat for millions of years. Result: 1) Dominant males. 2) Females attracted to dominant males.

Here's one fact to shatter your feminist teachings: Feminist theory: "There is no rape in nature, so rape is a learned behavior by human males." WRONG. There is no animal species where the females do not submit, therefore, rape is not a necessary requirement for survival of any animal species. Where females do not submit, rape behavior will be learned, the trait reinforced with breeding, etc.

These things adjust. Anomalies occur. That's why cultures change and many wars occur. Societies made up of the weak (see dictionary for FRANCE) are concurred by alpha males. Weak societies fall. Stronger society repeats the cycle. Read about the Mongols, the Barbarians. Read about Helen of Troy. Read something besides a title from Oprah's book lists or "female authors" for god's sakes.

Here’s the point you seem totally unwilling or incapable of grasping: it has nothing to do with women. It has everything to do with men. Whether you expect or want men to protect you, men are going to protect you. It isn’t a question of “expecting.” It is a matter of reality, ie. fact. Women, unless we achieve a biological superiority in size and strength (in maybe 2 million years without the normal repeating of the cycles) WILL be protected by, or vulnerable to, stronger males. Fortunately, Darwin takes care of this, by sexual attractors in the female psyche towards protective males, thus assuring balance and breeding out the proclivity for forced sexual encounters.

You want to deny the way that men behave so that you can feel powerful and liberated. Go ahead. Feel that way. We won’t bother to trouble your pretty little head with the reality.

you all want to check out this to fullfill your own ego's This is about abuse of an innocent woman and also her merdered commerandes. How many of you can even put yourselves in her shoes within her possible pain?
You should shut up and you should stop wrtiting about this.
This is a terrible thing to even think about and if our Marines had or have any chance to find anything out about her they will do it. Im sure its on there list. They wont leave her "alone" if they can help it. They will punish anyone that they find abused her. They will also send anyone that did that right to God to explain why they did that also. Marines will be the ones that will complete your curiosity and it will be the truth. I hope they find her alive!!

As a U.S. Marine with combat experience, and having dealt with the likes of these repulsive Iraqis, I can assure you all that women DO NOT BELONG IN ENEMY TERRITORY, PERIOD!!!!! Cait is an idiot. And I have every right in the world to say that because I can guarantee you she has never been in a combat situation, especially one dealing with the likes of Iraqis. It is completely absurd to put classroom training alongside the realities of war. We spend hundreds of hours in classrooms being instructed on how to survive and kill your enemy 1000 different ways. But for every 100 hours of classroom BS, 10 hours in reality knowing you could be dead the next time you blink teaches you more than you can imagine about how to kill your enemy and survive. What all this means is that Cait's theory DOES NOT APPLY IN A COMBATANT'S ENVIRONMENT. It might apply in downtown Detroit, but not in the middle of an Iraqi desert with an AK47 in his hands. Bottom line, WOMEN DON'T BELONG beside me in combat. A 125lb girl CANNOT cover my ass in hand to hand combat. Therefore she is a threat to my survival in time of war. So, Cait, stick that up your perspective equal rights.

Whoever put this little girl in combat is a war criminal, and should be court martialed. These are Bolshevik tactics, not American.

Stop this Zionist war before more of our young men and women get hurt, raped, and/or killed for Israel.

-Earl

PS If you have a problem with what I wrote, I would be happy to debate.

There is no debate. You're an idiot; my fellow Marines are going to anihilate SadMan Hussein's regime(And I will join them in 4 days-quite enthusiastically); and your tiny voice means diddly squat. Enjoy the news of the Iraqi release from tyranny--coming soon to a TV set near you. I'm sure SadMan Hussein will welcome you as a human shield. :)

I am a Veteran of the US Army for 6 years, all of which serving in Combat Support Units that have Female Soldiers assigned. In the expectation of job responsibilities and assignments, female soldiers are expected to perform at the same level as male soldiers. No one should question a female's ability to complete a given task, whether it requires technical skill, physical ability or otherwise. However, a female in the battlefield does greatly impact the attitude of male counterparts. The American male will tend to feel responsible for the safety, protection and welfare of females in a combat zone, period. In captivity, a male soldier will most certainly react differently when a female is assaulted versus a male. This is a true statement that will cause a male soldier to act in a manner that could cause him to further endanger his life. Call it chivalry or honor, either way, I don't believe female soldiers belong in the combat zone for this simple fact. Seeing reports of female soldiers as P.O.Ws simply drains me of my morale and I can't help but feel despair for those females that have to go through this.

I agree completely. I have 16 years in the Corps, this is going to be my 3rd entrance to a battlefield situation since 1991. And simply because of who is missing(or captured)at this stage, makes it a personal vendetta against that regime. I hope we can get them out safely. At first word of them being MIA, I felt as you do..helpless and drained of morale for lack of ability to do anything to right the situation. But as the days tick down to Sunday, my resolve burns deep for justice. We WILL get them back. And there will be hell to pay. SEMPER FI

These are three columns written by Fred Reed concerning women in the military. In his opinion it is an experiment that has failed.

http://www.fredoneverything.net/MoreWomenLetters.shtml

http://www.fredoneverything.net/MilMed.shtml

http://www.fredoneverything.net/MilWomen.shtml

i am from wirt county where jesse was from, and i have something to say about the original comment about women in combat, she wasn't in combat, she drove a truck, and the other women in her convoy were cooks and such. They were a "cleanup" crew who followed behind. becuase of the damn russian jamming devices their navigation equipment failed and that is why they were so far off track.

I feel for the family of any and all allied soldiers wounded, missing, or killed in action in Iraq. Any where else for that matter.

What I dont understand is that there is a greater value given to her life than that of a male soldier dying in action. There is no difference to the person that has died nor to the family that will never see their loved one again.

I just cant believe that the Father and Mother of a male KIA says "Glad it was my son not my daughter."

I am not being flippant here. I hold the lives and the deaths of U.S. soldiers to the highest place of honor that I know of. All of them, male and female alike are equally worthy of respect.

Jim

Roger, I'm willing to bet you don't equate men with the recieving end of sexual assault, because you're simply not used to thinking of it in those terms.

I suggest you read the written account of T.E. Elliot's degredations as a POW. You probably know him better as Lawrence of Arabia. If you can read it without recoiling in horror, I'll be most surprised.

The bottom line is that men do value a womans life and safety higher than another man's,it is their instinct to do so.I pray this poor girl is OK but I fear the worst.19 year old girls have no place on a battlefield where they could be captured and raped or worse,I totally oppose the whole idea of women in combat,not because women are inferior to men because they are not,but because I find this sort of event disturbing and frankly unbearable to think about.I am a man and cannot help thinking this way and I do not apologise for saying so.It is bad enough sending young men to die,nothing will be gained from sending the other half of the population as well.I am not in the military,but for those of you who are,I hope you go to the ends of the earth to find jessica and bring justice to those barbarians who have her.

20+ years of service and Women do not belong in combat nor anywhere near what resembles a "front". Yes Jessica may not have been in a Combat Arms MOS but she should have not been there.

To "Wirtres",
As a former resident of West Virgina, I am ashamed of the comment by Sen. Byrd about "America Weeps".

Men & Women alike are giving their lives and defending our freedom to allow someone like Senator Byrd make such shameful comments.

To "Dale",
Givem' hell, watch yourself, return home safely and always know that there are others like me who support you and pray for you.

Ray

Thanks Ray!!! We all appreciate it sincerely.
To everyone here, We may not all agree on several different fronts. But one thing that we can all agree on is that you have the right to voice your opinions because the men and women of our armed forces have put their lives on the line to ensure it for the past 230 years. And we WILL bring everyone home! No one will be left behind.

Why are you so sure that she is being raped? If she was captured alived the Iraqi media would put her on the headlines and claim that coalition sends kids to the war. Psychological Warfare is much more important for Iraq than humiliating a little girl, and satisfying sexual needs of a few soldiers. No, I am pretty sure that she is dead already. Believe me, I am from the hot-zone.

Jessica's family has to be dieing because I sure am. Anyone with a brain could see it coming a mile away-been headed in this direction for years like a juggernaut and no one could stand up to it without facing down the witch finder general that radical feminism has become. God-how tragic. The implication is that there is something abnormal a mans' instinct and a societies need to shield a lovely young woman in the blush of her beauty and of her youth from terrible harm. Yes-Jessica Lynch is endearingly pretty: peering out from under that cap with a great, happy, proud smile all aglow with the kind of pluck that makes for a young hero. Do we really believe that the collective impulse of a nation, men and women alike, to be protective of her is somehow corrupt? We discount this instinct at our peril. Her last conversation with her dad was in an email where she wrote her unit was instructed to avoid children. She loved children so much that she was afraid she wouldn't be able to resist helping them and that would put her life and the lives of her unit in peril. Do we really believe that to mutate this instinct in Jessica to provide protective and mothering warmth to children into the instincts of a killing combat soldier is social progress and not a slip into barbarism that seems to have gone unnoticed? I can't bear to say it because I am holding on to hope for her and I want so much with all of my heart for her to come home to her family, but I fear the worst. Some will be indifferent to this and wonder why we should care. "She's just like any other soldier." Others will shut their mouths because they have long been stonewalled into silence by screaming hysterics who pass the mega-ton accusation of sexual harassment around like it was rock candy while relentlessly, hypocritically crowing about justice. It's 'progress' to manipulate women into men and vice versa. It's 'progress' to reduce the heartache and outrage that does and should accompany the death of a beautiful young woman who was close enough to vicious combat to stumble headlong into it by taking a wrong turn, when her reasons for becoming a soldier in the first place were guided in large part by her love of children; Jessica wanted to become a teacher and the Army provided an economic path to higher education. I'm sure their waiting to release what they already know but that will not diminish the sadness with which this nation will greet the news of Jessica's murder at the hands of a despicable enemy. As in the play Inherit the Wind, the story of the Scopes trial about the right to teach 'Darwin' in schools, "with flags waving and with trumpets blaring we are marching backwards", and it is the tragedy of a free nation that it is too dangerous to risk reconsidering aloud the direction we have taken. Our hearts need to be broken for we have truly gone too far, and I'm really, really sick about it. Wesley Pruden put it well: "Men can coarsen and toughen women for the battlefield, making them accomplished killers. But what kind of sorry excuse for a man would want to do that to the bearers of his children?”
Dale, man love to hear that. Really needed that.Made me feel a whole lot better. God protect our troops-

Well, Cait seems to have left the building, but that won't keep me from flapping my jaw, nothing ever does.

Yes, Cait, I'm another one of those "paternalistic" males who reflexively think of it as my duty to protect women and I'll be thrice damned before I'll ever feel sorry for thinking that way. There's nothing I can do about it, I'm hardwired that way, and there's nothing I WOULD do about it, even if I could. I'm the result of thousands upon thousands of years of evolution and no amount of fairy dust feminazi sloganeering is ever going to achieve more than increase my frustration level and place even more women like Shoshona and Jessie in situations that no women should ever have to face. Does this mean that I don't care about our male POWs? Of course not, it just means that whereas the fate of our male POWs makes me seethe with cold, focused rage, the fate of those two women makes me sick to my stomach as well, just thinking about it.

And if I were back in the foxholes, that would immediately put my life in danger, because I'd be extremely prone to go berserk in a rage of bloodlust the next time I saw anything even remotely resembling an Iraqi soldier, regardless of the danger that that might place myself in.

Another thing that continues to make me bang my head against the wall in desperation at the stupidity of the feminazis is the assumption that somehow the notion of accepting the protective role and nature of men and the notion of women learning to protect themselves are mutually exclusive, because they're not.

Trust me, Cait, I know Mrs. du Toit personally and I can guarantee you that there are very few people, male OR female, who are more capable of defending themselves than she is.

But that does NOT mean that she rejects the protective nature of her husband as an outmoded "paternalistic" and "oppressive" relic of a distant dark age. It just means that there's one more player on the du Toit team, which puts ALL of them in a better position to defend ALL of themselves.

It's called dealing with reality and utilizing ALL of your options rather than banging your head against the wall trying to repeal the laws of nature and the du Toit family is better for it.

Has any ever thought that if this young lady was sexually assualted it is because she is an American and by sexually assualting her is like they are screwing all Americans.

When I was a young NCO in Special Forces, we would deliberately look for combat support or combat service support units on exercises. We would observe to locate where the female soldiers were in their perimeter, and after identifying their locations, send in two guys to slither into their fighting positions, and cause temporary, non-injurious pain to make them scream. Invariably, the men would leave their positions to help out, leaving the rest of the detachment a hole to waltz thru and then commence making merry mayhem. This tactic NEVER FAILED TO WORK. Women in close proximity to front lines are a distractor that we inflict on ourselves.
In WWII the combat units were all men and not distracted. Women could be effectively utilized by relieving men to serve in combatant units at the corps level or lower, which would effectively remove them from harm's way.

JerryH - That misses the point.

I am not a naive waif. I know about male rape, but I have never had a visceral response to the possibility where male POW's are concerned. Just now I listened to a FNC report about Qusay Hussein's Fedayeen dragging women, whose son's won't fight, out of their houses, tying them to a chair and cutting their heads off. I am wild with rage at the thought. Similar atrocities are daily reported against Iraqi men, and I keep chewing my tuna sandwich.

My point was that, despite the best efforts of the Pat Shroeder brigade to make it not so, men have an instinctive NEED to protect women. That need can get people killed in combat situations. From the tenor of this discussion, I am not alone in that belief.

I had felt almost unnatural for feeling more strongly for Jessica and Shosanna than I did for the rest of our brave, male soldiers. Thank you for pointing out why, everyone. :)

And it's precisely that point- that males have simply DIFFERENT attitudes about protection of women- that makes placing women in an enlisted combat position a very poor idea indeed. Now, MAYBE females could one day become combat officers: a particularly briliant woman could be an excellent commander, and the concept of the males under her command defending her at all costs MIGHT work. I'm not in the military (yet), so I have very little idea about how the dynamic between officers and enlissted works. Suffice it to say that I definitely have an idea of how females and males tend to interact, and having both genders on the battlefield together gives WAY, WAY more hassle than benefit in an environment where every advantage counts.

Maybe if half the men in America are dead, I'd support females in combat. Of course, this would presuppose me being denied permission to immigrate... ;)

this is silly

I'm 100% firm against female in military, although I've seen some as great commander, drill instructor etc. However seeing the background info of why she (Jessica) is in on the first place, it's just one of those "it happens" thing.

If one ever read some book from killology website, one would see the psych effect of rape/torture/brutalism in war or any cases.

This might sound very cruel, but for a second I hope that she is KIA instead of "RIA"...why?
It's war, you're seen by your enemy as killer, even if you're a chef in uniform. What do you expect? humane treatment? They see your "kind" killing their fellow friend, brothers, fathers, families.
I don't believe in any convention etc, it's war, you kill, you got killed. You got captured, expect the worst.
For a second there suicide sounds fitting. I just wish they put me in instead of her. In a war, I never plan going back alive

Jessica Lynch was not killed in the ambush. She and Lori Piestewa, 22, were alive for at least some time after they were taken captive.
My gut feeling is they were taken to Baghdad and presented as a gift to Qusay Hussein, who is known for raping and torturing women as "recreation."

This is from www.msnbc.com under the title "Signs of U.S. POWs found at hospital":

AN NASIRIYAH, March 28 -- U.S. Marines who secured a hospital that had been used by Iraqi forces later found several bloodied U.S. uniforms worn by female soldiers, NBC's Kerry Sanders reported Friday from the hospital.
The find suggested that Iraq had held several POWs at the hospital.
In another room, Marines found a large battery next to a bed -- leading them to suspect it was used as a torture device.
Sanders, who has been traveling with the battalion, was shown the room by a Marine who identified the uniforms as those worn by servicewomen.
One female U.S. soldier is listed as a prisoner of war and two as missing in action. The known female POW is Spc. Shoshawna Johnson, 30, of Fort Bliss, Texas.
The female soldiers listed as missing are: Pfc. Jessica Lynch, 19, of Palestine, W.Va.; and Pfc. Lori Piestewa, 22, of Tuba City, Ariz.

The deeper issue that's being overlooked is the looming inevibility of a draft. Though women in combat is an abomination, till now it is still voluntary. It is just another aspect of "womens choice" in the feminazi lexicon. There will be NO CHOICE when it is reinstituted. The barrier has fallen. And this WILL happen! Its estimated that a minimum 100,000 troops will be needed to Garrison Iraq after the war. We're already spread thin world wide and are prosecuting this war largely with Reserves. Isn't it ironic that the Feminazis who claim sexual harrasment is endemic in the "paternalistic" military are perfectly willing to let mothers and daughters be RAPED, MUTILATED and MURDERED by our enemies. And guess what? It will no longer be a matter of "choice"
God help America. And God give some spine to the cowardly men of America if we allow this to happen. At that point AmeriKa won't be worth fighting for.

Big Dawg: As a former 18D and a former member of the 1st Ranger Bat I concur with your statements about distracting the females to get the males to leave their posts; we use to do this often when we wanted more than a MRE for chow. We would find the chow wagon and get a hot meal.

Dale: Gods-peed to you and all our troops.

For ANY LIBERAL PUKE: How can one logically say I "support" the soldiers, but am against the war? This would be like saying I "support" the firemen, but am against putting out the fire. The TRUE COLORS of people in this country are showing and many, myself included, will NOT forget it.

Rangers Lead The Way!

I went to school with Jessie Lynch...I believe this post should be about our prayers for her and hoping she comes home to her family and friends where she belongs, not about wheather or not men or women should fight in battle. Keep her and her family in your prayers please.

There are no Pow's on the enemies side my US friends. It's a bloody war game they play. Those POW's shown on T.V probably witness their friends being executed moments before they were aired; they soon followed RIP. As for Jessica, my heart goes out to her family and friends and hope they never learn of her fate, she is as far as I want to believe, KIA.
To Dale
We're with you brother, us Brits, you American will fight all the way. When we're done fighting, you can give us a hand building a wall around France and filling it with water.

Platy---
This IS psychological warfare. They could show a dead body or a picture of her in a jail cell, but they are not. Her family and friends are beside themselves with worry about what is happening to her. There are no pictures of her being humanely treated, no closure from a notice of her death.
I think the military should be releasing more details. Is the blood on the female uniform that was found a match to either of the female MIAs? There was a soldier who escaped the ambush---what did he have to say about it? Has there been an offical request made or any sort of deal offered to give information about whether she is dead or alive?
I used to have mixed feelings about women in combat. My position was that single, childless women should do whatever they want to do, but women with children should leave the military for their children's sakes. Now, I have been following this story, and listening to people talk about it (I live 15 miles from where she grew up) and I am strongly against women in the military, if this is a possibility.

My last comment....Jessie is one of the bravest people I know. She's got a kind heart and a smile that just makes you feel comfort. She's a wonderful friend and person. I pray every second she comes home. You dont realize how hard it is till the war hits at home. My love goes fully out to her family. May god be with her always

To the family and friends of Jessica who might read this...My thoughts and prayers are with you.

The disturbing news reports of the uniforms found sends chills up my spine. I agree 100% with the people who posted that men feel a basic need to protect women. It doesn't matter if it's from the enemy in a foreign country or some guy at the grocery store. Look at the small towns where the KIA and MIA's are from, their is a reason for that. These are not places that the word Patriots always means a football team. These young soldiers joined the military, not just for money or an education, but for pride. Pride in a country that has given them the freedom to follow their dreams. This country was not built on the sacrifice of just the men who fought in the military, but the dedication of all involved. Here is the entire gest of what these posts are trying to say... Boys/Men are raised to protect the less fortunate, to be strong when all else seems to be weak, to take pity on those who need it and vengeance on all those who deserve it, and this above all...to learn to accept all the painful things that life might throw at you. From falling off your bike with training wheels and scratching your knee, to getting in fist fights and losing. Show no fear and no regrets.
Girls/Women are raised with to show tenderness and kindness to all she meets. I was reading a post talking about Jessica's last e-mail sent to her father saying..."her unit was instructed to avoid children. She loved children so much that she was afraid she wouldn't be able to resist helping them and that would put her life and the lives of her unit in peril." To have such a loving and caring person snatched from us is almost unbearable. I have two girls, and I only hope that they will be as loving and courageous as Jessica, to lay their lives down for nation that cares for them as much as I care for her. A person I have never met but,I pray, I will be able to meet soon.
Godspeed Jessica!!

As a true show of support and solidarity for the American people, George Bush should send his twin daughters to the war in Iraq. That would be the ultimate and most brave thing that the Commander in Chief could do. Either he is with us or not.

I just feel ill about this whole sorry affair.It is despicable of the Iraqi government to put the family of Jessica and the other missing people and POWs through the torment they must be going through,not knowing about the fate of their loved ones.We cannot give up hope until we hear the worst.I hope the story of what happened in this ambush,the execution of POWs,the brutalisation of defenceless girls,the bloodsoaked female uniforms and torture apparatus at the hospital gets through to the front line troops.I would not want to face British or American men in battle who knew about this outrage,this sort of thing does strange things to a civilised man's mind,and their will be hell to pay for the enemy.The main thing now is to find Jessica and the others as soon as is possible,alive.And if that does not happen,at least get her home to her family so they can say goodbye to their precious daughter.But that is something I can't bear to think about.

To the family members and friends of Jessie, my heart felt sympathy to you. I have been praying everyday since word of Jessie's MIA in the news last monday. I want everyone to know of a benefit that is taking place at the Vienna Wal-Mart in Vienna West Virginia that will be on Sunday April 6 12-4pm. There will be a car wash and we will be selling hot dogs, chips, pop ... you name it. The event is sponsered by Froggy 99, so everyone come and help support our troups and Jessica Lynch. All proceeds will go toward Jessica's family in this time of need. Thanks

Rescue effort for Bliss unit left 9 Marines dead, 8 missing-Diana Washington Valdez-El Paso Times
U.S. Marines were sent to rescue wounded members of the 507th Maintenance Company on March 23, the day the Fort Bliss unit was attacked in Iraq, but nine of the Marines who took part in the rescue effort were killed and eight others are missing, Pentagon officials said Sunday. U.S. military officials also confirmed that the four bodies discovered a few days ago in shallow graves are of American troops, but have still not determined the branch of the military in which the troops served, much less their names. "They have not been identified yet," Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles Owens, spokesman for U.S. Central Command, said Sunday from Doha, Qatar. Sunday is the first time U.S. military officials revealed that Marines conducted a search-and-rescue operation to recover the wounded Army soldiers. All but one of the missing Marines was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, from Camp Lejeune, N.C. Among the 507th's wounded are Spc. James Grubb of El Paso, and Cpl. Damien Luten of Indianapolis. Luten was shown in widely distributed photographs last week with a teddy bear tied to his stretcher as he was being taken to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. He told his mother, in a story published in the Indianapolis Star on Sunday, that a group of Marines saved him and some other members of the 507th. "A couple of guys got shot up pretty bad."

Before Dale left us he said: "To everyone here, We may not all agree on several different fronts. But one thing that we can all agree on is that you have the right to voice your opinions because the men and women of our armed forces have put their lives on the line to ensure it for the past 230 years. And we WILL bring everyone home! No one will be left behind. I have 16 years in the Corps, this is going to be my 3rd entrance to a battlefield situation since 1991. And simply because of who is missing(or captured)at this stage, makes it a personal vendetta against that regime. I hope we can get them out safely. At first word of them being MIA, I felt as you do..helpless and drained of morale for lack of ability to do anything to right the situation. But as the days tick down to Sunday, my resolve burns deep for justice. We WILL get them back. And there will be hell to pay. SEMPER FI"
GOD SPEED DALE! LET NONE BE LEFT BEHIND!
I can't reach deep enough into my heart to find either in prose or poetry the words to express the feelings of love and gratitude I have for the 1st Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Camp Lejeune, from North Carolia, for everything they are amd and everything they did that terrible day, March 23, 2003, when the 507th was ambushed by inhuman scum. I am overwhelmed with emotion as I write this, speechless and in awe. They are my heroes.
The OUTRAGE against the 507th has been taken as it was meant: PERSONALLY! Yes, it will resonate within America's heart for many, many, many years to come, and it will be addressed accordingly.
REMEMBER THE 07THE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My heart goes out to the family of Jessie. Unfortunately, Jessie was one of the first casualties of the War. However, she and the others in her unit may have taught us a valueable lesson. I'll continue to pray for her and all the great people who have fallen in this War. Let's maintain our focus, accomplish this mission and move on, in the name of Jessica and all the missing, killed or wounded as a result of this operation.

My heart goes out for this girl and her family. I've cried thinking of all the cruelity that is being done to her. It would almost be better, in some ways, if she is dead. We must not allow nations to exist that would treat women like what they will do to her. I can only hope and pray that she will find peace. If she is alive she will never be the same again. The horror will haunt her forever. When my son is old enough I will encourage him to name a daughter "Jessica".

Families call rescuers of Bliss injured 'heroes'
Diana Washington Valdez-El Paso Times-Families of Fort Bliss soldiers who are missing in Iraq praised the efforts of U.S. Marines who tried to rescue wounded members of the post's 507th Maintenance Company. "You couldn't call them anything but heroes," said Greg Lynch, father of Pfc. Jessica Lynch, one of the 507th members reported missing in southern Iraq following an ambush March 23. Lynch, 19, from Palestine, W.Va., worked as an Army supply clerk. Several of the Marines who tried to rescue the Fort Bliss soldiers were killed the same day, and others are missing. Greg Lynch said a U.S. Army representative contacted his family Monday, but "they had no new information about our daughter."
"We're hoping that the ones who aren't captured are laying low somewhere until they can go in to get them," Lynch said.
The Marines' involvement in such a rescue mission "was fantastic. ... It shows interservice cooperation at its best," said Randy Kiehl, father of Spc. James Kiehl, another one of the missing Fort Bliss soldiers.
Spc. Joseph Hudson of Alamogordo is among the five company members who are considered POWs. He and the other captured soldiers were videotaped by the Iraqis, and the tape was shown on television and on the Internet.
"It was heartening to know that the Marines went in to help, and it was saddening to know that some of those Marines died," said Phyllis Hudman, Hudson's mother-in-law.

The reports of Jessica Lynch's death have been greatly exaggerated. SHE IS COMING HOME. God-I love guys like Dale. Remember what he said? Man that made me feel good. Just the best. That's the kind of stuff that got her rescued. Those guys over there are amazing-simply amazing. They said that they were going door to door to do it and they did. God-feel like a house got lifted off my back. Now for the others. Welcome back PFC Jessica Lynch. Guess who was being discussed?

THE BEST NEWS POSSIBLE!!!

WELCOME BACK JESSICA!!!

..guess if there's a lesson to be learned its that there is no such thing as a hopeless situation.....
with love and admiration .... i think I'm going to keep it just the way it is..

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jessicas_candle/

There is a God! Thank God for bringing Jessica back! America does not leave it's heroes behind!

Fantastic News!

Jessica has two broken legs and a broken arm but is in a stable condition. What a tough cookie and a real American hero.

Its not often 'real life' has such a happy conclusion. I'm thrilled Jessica is alive and well, and relieved she no longer has to suffer at the hands of the brutal Iraqi regime.

Lets hope our brave troops can find more POW's and return them home safely to their families.

An admirer in London, UK

God is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy that she is coming home.

It's a wonderful thing to hear about the rescue of one of our own, regardless of gender. I am sure the parents of the rest of the POW's and MIA's are hoping and praying for the same conclusion, as we all should be. As for some of the posts above, though...

You bunch of Has-Beens, Wanna-Be's and (for reasons made obvious by your posts) Never-Will-Be's are every bit as bad as the protestors out there. It doesn't MATTER how you feel about women in the military! They are there...right along side their male counterparts...making the same sacrifices and doing the same jobs. You bunch of impotent misogynists need to shut up and give ALL of our troops your 100% support. The ability of every soldier to do their job is not your business. It's the business of their superiors. If you don't approve of women in the military, then talk to your Senator. Otherwise, keep your mouth SHUT until this war is over. These people, male AND female, are risking their lives on foreign soil and the absolute ONLY thing you should be saying is that they are all valued, appreciated and prayed for.

Just like these protestors, you guys are pissing up wind. The war is HAPPENING. American men and women are becoming casualties and we all need to keep our public opinions as positive and upbeat as possible. The limited media that they have access to, needs to be filled with pictures and words of support. Your saying these things about our female soldiers is pathetic. Instead of using your on-line time to write derogatory remarks about the people who are sacrificing their lives over there, why don't you spend the time sending supportive e-mails and posts? You wanna see what "combat theater poison" REALLY looks like? Take a long look in the mirror. Nothing hurts a soldier more than a lack of support from the people and nation they are defending. Get a life and use it to support the troops...male and female.

you religious people are idiots.

god is awesome! what the @$%& does that mean? if there was a god IT never would have put a woman or man in that position. i am for turning the entire middle east into a giant kitty litter box. 6 or 7 nukes should take care of that.

and another idiot said i am so glad that she is coming home alive and well.

what part of two broken legs, a bullet wound, and a broken arm is well?

go drink your coca cola and eat your mcdonald's boogers. i am ashamed that you mindless and uneducated dolts are americans.

no wonder the world hates us.

God brought her to safety, and God loves Jack, too. :P

Jack,

The only idiot I see here is YOU!

I'm not a religious person at all. Church for me is for weddings and funerals, but if others what to 'THANK GOD' and gain strength from religion then thats fine by me.

Secondly, calling me an idiot for saying she'll be coming home alive and well. What sort of miserable, pathetic, negative person are you?

Word is that Jessica shot several Iraqis, even when wounded, and was only captured when her ammunation ran out. Remember that the next time you enjoy the freedoms that living in a civilised country brings. Its people like Jessica that put their lives at risk so you can live your cushy life.

She is 'well' in that it appears she was in hospital during her 8 days captivity and was not tortured, killed or executed as many feared. Her physical wounds will heal, but its the mental wounds that many feared would scar her for life if she was indeed rescued. Those wounds are far more serious.

Health is mental and not just physical, and for someone like myself who has had a family member suffer from a mental illness in the past I take great offence.

Thirdly,

What makes you think dropping several nukes on the Middle East would solve? It would create a million other problems and no doubt numerous more 9-11's, only this time it would be entire cities, just like the one you live in, wiped out by WMD.

How many millions of innocent civilian lives would be lost?

As someone who grew up in Belfast N.Ireland with the constant threat of IRA terrorism I guess 30 years of terror should have been solved by drooping an H-bomb on everyone in the country. Myself and the other 99% of decent law aboding citizens there.

Jack, go crawl back under the stone you came from. You haven't got a @$%& what you are talking about.

I like Amy!! [quote] "God loves Jack, too"
That was good. His jaw is probably on the floor and he's thinking...."How the heck do I respond to that one??"
LOL
I may not be the most religious person in the world, but all three of my kids add the men and women of our armed forces in their prayers at bedtime. They need their country's moral support, whether or not we believe in the reasons for the war. We ALL owe them at LEAST that much.

i am really glad that jessica is going to be well.

but, i am ashamed that it took this for her to be able to go to college.

and for all you religious folks...

how is it that you don't see religion and phoney gods and war go hand in hand?

let's look at the 600+ millions killed during the inquistion. god?

oh, and god is awesome for sparing jessica. but, the other 50+ dead american soldiers...

are you saying gawd is aaaaaaaaawwwwweeessssssooooomee?

i am for nuking the middle east including israel.

bring our boys and gals home.

make the middle east what it truly is and that is a lifeless kitty litter box.

and then bring on north korea. a nuke or two there and we take care of one more problem.

then, malaysia. some agent orange and another nuke.

the philipines... some orange and an h-bomb.

i want the whole darn world that allows these turbin wearin' bearded weirdos to fear the wrath of u.s.a.

oh, did i leave out iran, syria, and the rest of the weirdos. in case you think i left that out, i was hoping that that the nuke fallout would make them suffer a long and slow miserable, cancer ridden death.

for every american that dies... kill 1 million prehistoric brained followers of dead gods.

praise the load!

Very interesting post