PFC Lynch is not a hero. Why is CBS trying to force that concept down through the media?
It drives me insane. They make no distinction between an inspiring story where an American saved and an inpiring story about an american hero. Lynch's story falls solid flat on the first category. The true heros? If anyone it's those who saved her.
Let's review the facts: PFC Lynch's envoy is ambushed; her colleages are killed; she shoots at the enemy as does everybody in that circumstance; she's taken prisoner TO THE HOSPITAL where she is reportedly mistreated - like most if not all other prisoners; she's saved.
Where in that sequence of events did she EVER do ANYTHING thats even in the slightest sense HEROIC? She didnt! Than why is CBS saying the folowing:
CBS Entertainment executives "tell us this would be the highest priority for the CBS movie division, which specializes in inspirational stories of courage."
Again, I fail to realize how is PFC Lynch an example of courage... and how can she inspire anymore than other prisoners? SHe didnt anything - she was JUST saved...I swear by god these TV executives are getting dumber and greedier by the minute.
Diesel – In my mind, when she donned and went over there, she became a hero in my book. Maybe I’m easily impressed, but I have the highest regard for any one who serves. That includes you. The whole thing with CBS (and another 3 major networks) is all media spin and trying to capture the fascination of the country.
They aren’t getting dumber. For one, you’ve watched it enough to know what they’re saying, so you fell prey to their trap.
Labeling a young woman with “hero” is a kind of sexist irony, but it still gets people’s attention. The sheep in America think how amazing it is that a young woman survived the hideous Iraqi captors. CBS is just playing to the sheep.
As far as courage, it’s hard to tell how much she displayed. The fact that she made it through imprisonment shows a modicum of courage, but I don’t know how she acted while she was there. If she sat in her cell screaming, “I’ll tell you anything you want to know if you’ll just put me out of my misery”, then I can’t say that’s too courageous. If she kept composure, I would see that as much more courageous, in that she faced the fear of the unknown (what would be done with her) and didn’t back down.
You are right, though, I do believe the dictionary definition of “hero” involves risking your life for others’ well-being. She was just taking care of her own, which is just what she should have done.
It’s about money. The Indian woman that was killed in Iraq just wasn’t good enough looking to make the cut. Lynch is better looking. The public doesn’t want an ugly hero. A platoon being captured and a lot of soldiers killed because no one was smart enough to read a map does not, in my opinion, make for heroics. However, it will probably make money for some fat-cat hollywood producers though. Besides, being a hero isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Ask Ira Hayes.
Anyone who went over to Iraq and was involed w/ the war is a HERO.
Uh, that should have read “when she donned the uniform…”
I believe the whole story was fabricated to boost morale in the field and at home. Pvt Lynch’s M-16 was found with a full magazine. Her injuries were caused by the crash of the Humvee she was in. She had no gunshot or stab wounds.
She was never “rescued” from the Iraqi hospital, but eagerly handed over by the hospital staff.
Conveniently, she can’t remember a thing that happened.
Is this wrong? Not really. Sometimes public opinion has to be swayed when looking at the big picture. Hell, when I first saw the story about this 19-year old girl who kicked some serious ass, I was inspired…if not a bit turned on. 
-Alex
It’s just like Capt. Scott O’grady when he got rescued.
The people who fuck up and have to be saved are sometimes heros in our society just for surviving the ordeal.
Is it right? No, but it sells advertizing time on TV and it sells tons of papers/hits on websites.
The heartstrings of the sheep are tugged when a 19 year old girl is removed from harms way after a prolonged ordeal.
B.
*sigh*
All member of our military who served in Iraq are in a way heros. No argument there. That makes Lynch a hero for SERVING IN IRAQ, not for BEING RESCUED.
Also, the media grossly romanticized PFC Lynch. There were several prisoners across all branches. However, Lynch being a very cute young girl in the Army, was the obvious pick for a great story. The media keeps hailing her as a hero - her and ONLY her. According to the Media, all other prisoners are just that - prisoners of war. All those who died in the conflict made the ultimate sacrifice, but the Media never hailed THEM as heros. Those who saved PFC Lynch, and almost didnt make it when their helicopter got caught in an electricity wire werent heros...
...But PFC Lynch was. She didnt make the ultimate sacrifice. She didnt save a colleage. Infantry men saw more bullets, grenades, RPGs, mortars than she saw; they saw their fellow soldiers drop dead; they saw them lose an arm, a leg; the heard the screams and moans; they kept fighting regardless; However THESE men are no heros, and the men they saw die on the field are no heros - not according to the Media. PFC Lynch is.
Remember what a hero is? A hero is someone who puts THEIR lives on the line to save someone else, even when the odds are overwhelmingly against them; It's someone who goes beyond the call of duty just to see to it a man or woman is brought safely; It's someone who made the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good.
PFC Lynch's ONLY accomplishment that might qualify her as a hero in a sense was serving in Iraq. Being in the military doesnt make you a hero - it makes you a man of honor, integrity, someone to be rspected. But not a hero. Not until youve gone beyond the call of duty, saved another life, kept fighting when everybody's dropping dead and screaming and agony - and you still kept fighting until you either come back home alive or made the ultimate sacrfice. I could name over 200 servicemen who were true heros. PFC Lynch is not one of them. She's a woman of integrity and someone to be respected for serving; she's someone who worked for the success of operation Iraqi Freedom; shes certainly worthy of the purple heart she received, and all other medals she received and will receive. But in my eyes, shes not a hero.
We cant keep mistaking a MARTYR for a HERO. Someone who endures great pain because of serving a greater good is a Martyr. Someone who goes to great lengths to save another life, when the odds are even against you - THEN you're a HERO.
I have nothing against PFC Lynch. She's a very cute young girl who deserves my UTMOST respect. I certainly dont have a bone to pick with her. We just cant mistake a martyr for a hero; someone to be respected and admired for a hero; someone who suffered for their country as a TRUE hero...because wether we like it or not, a hero is someone who puts their lives on the line, even when it's not their obligation, to save a comrade.
Earlier this year a Navy SEAL died. He was in a friend's unit. He died because his blackhawk was struck by an RPG which caused him to fall out of the open door. Do you know what a second black hawk did? They called their commander and requested permission to go down there and retrieve him - even though he was probably dead from the fall, and even though there were tens of taliban fighters down there. It was not THEIR job and it was not THEIR obligation. They simply did it because the SEAL was one of them and they felt they had to retrieve him somehow. The six soldiers in that second black hawk went down there. They encountered the taliban fighters who viciously shot EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM dead. THEY are true heros. They knew the extremely high risk of trying to retrieve their fellow Navy SEAL. They knew he might be dead from the fall. Still they made it a point to go down there and either retrieve him or die trying. They died trying.
Do not tell me all military are heros. There's a very big difference. Heros have the character and the courage to do what these men do - and do it. Sad story is, most people never even heard these men' story - true heros.
Almond Joy said: 'Conveniently, she can't remember a thing that happened.
Is this wrong? Not really. Sometimes public opinion has to be swayed when looking at the big picture. Hell, when I first saw the story about this 19-year old girl who kicked some serious ass, I was inspired…if not a bit turned on. :-)’
I disagree. It is the Governments job to tell THE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. They dont have to tell the whole truth if they understand it'll hurt the goals we need to accomplish or compromise safety and security. But under NO circumstances, should the government ever PURPOSELY LIE and/or DECEIVE the American public. What they tell the french or the german is not my concern. However what they tell US the American citizens, is to be the truth and nothing but the truth. If the GOVT understands it cant do that, than theyd better be responsible enough to not say anything at all.
Remember, the American government is BY the people, FOR the people. They serve the American citizens, not the other way around. I dont see how deceiving and lying, even to boost Morale would be serving us in any way. In the end lies, even good lies, do more harm than good.
Also, if the government is allowed to make good lies, whos to stop someone from telling a bad lie and start deceiving the american public left and right as long as noone finds out?
My point being, I disagree with what Almond Joy said. It would hurt us, not benefit us.
Deisel, I agree with you on the hero tip. There are MANY others who should be honored with that title (which they probably could give a shit about). The media is indeed playing it up in order to sell time to advertisors.
But did the Gvmt. have anything to do with certain discrepancies in the Lynch story? Many who have investigated think so. These articles are easily found now all over the place (media again jumping on a hot topic). Lynch on MTV? What a joke. This country will have hit all-time new lows if she in on MTV being interviewed by Carson Daly.
As for: “Also, if the government is allowed to make good lies, whos to stop someone from telling a bad lie and start deceiving the american public left and right as long as noone finds out?”
What is a good lie? Its OK to lie to foreign countries (like their too stupid to figure it out)?
No, and if anything the US Gvmt. lies to US citizens & media to a greater degree. Keep 'em in the dark. Governments have lied to their public from day 1. Everyone knows it, but how do they keep getting away with it?
Afterall, how many Americans read a newspaper each day? I hear its around 10%. How many read foreign news? Damn few.
A good lie is one which will do something good - Lying to boost morale will have the positive benefit of boosting Morale. However a lie from the government is worth than a thousand lies from a reglar civilian. Why? Because being deceitful does not earn one's trust and causes the american publiv to lose trust in their government.
I do not have MTV. In fact I only have 3 tv channels, so Im not current with entertainment news. If PFC Lynch is interviewed on MTV, that IS a new low. Why? Simply because I completely disagree with glorifying war for a target audience composed of mostly highschool kids for one. I also disagree, above all, having someone cash in at the expense of someone who went through PFC Lynch's ordeal during war times, as part of our military. That's called exploitation and greedyness, regardless of what colors you paint it with.
POWs are not entertainers. War is not a movie. MTV is an entertainment TV channel. Anything they do with PFC Lynch will be outside their realm and solely for the purpose of ratings.
Carson Daly is a douche bag. He's an entertainer, not a journalist. His job is to pick a good story and make it look interesting. Invite celebrities and make them look cool. His concern with a story which is told objectively and impartially solely for the purpose of informing th public is secondary, if existent at all.
The guys job is to personify coolness for the highschool kids. Thats IT. Same thing for any MTV face. The extensive research and objective/factual/impartial presentation is done by real journalists. There are quite a few out there who know how to do it - let them do it.
AR got it right. If she were a short fat ugly girl none of this media stuff would be happening.
First, kill all the lawyers. Second, kill all the media assholes.
I agree diesel, there really was nothing heroic about the whole deal. I know I might be the minority here, but I do not believe that everyone that went over there is a hero. Chances are some joined before hand, just wanting benefits, and got caught up in the war. Many of you are right though, the first time I saw her I was thought, “Hmm, she’s cute; a nice bonus for the media!”
Mace that IS true - a number of our current military did join exclusively for the benefits which include money for college, GI bill, a kicker of up to 12,000 dollars, great medical bennies, and so forth - all WHILE not paying any thought to the comitment they're making and exactly what it means in terms of being away from your family/girlfriend/friends, what it means in terms of lost wages (especially if you're making more that the 13,500 dollars/year an active duty servicemen makes) and the extended periods of time for which you may be deployed and live in less than great conditions, with often less food than you might wish.
That is WHY, unfortunately, Ive seen many a military reservist complain about being deployed, wishing they never joined in the first place and outright angry, saying they cant wait to leave 'the damn military'. These people have NO place in our military. They dont have the fiber to do what needs to be done.
It reminds me of a National Guard who posted on this forum complaining about all the deployments theyve had and how all he wants is to go home...
See, these people are no heros. Heck, they barely have the fiber needed to serve with honor.
Also, one thing Ive noticed is that the National Guard is the branch which singlehandedly complains and whines the most about deployments. Im not trying to be disrespectful here. Ive met more National Guards than I can count with my hands. The ones I met guarding the Airport eventually started to complain about every order they received. One National Guard I met a month ago at an Air Force Base told me he HATES it, and is trying to get out - he told me he went in because they promised him theyd pay for his college but he cant even go to college now because he's been deployed for all 6 months he's been serving...
Diesel, I absolutely agree with you about the reservist thing. I met a Army Reservist in one of my classes awhile back and what he said totally blew my mind. We were talking about war and stuff, then the conversation got to a war with China. All of a sudden he just blurts out, “I don’t want to go and fight in China”, While I understand a person’s feelings and fear of war, I just couldn’t get this thought out of my head; “Why would you join any military branch if you didn’t want to go to war?”. It’s my understanding that many elite soldiers actually want to see action, atleast that was the feeling of the Rangers in Somalia. You’re right though they do NOT have any place in our military.
That kind of pussy has no place anywhere in our military - in fact they do nothing but give US a bad name, and crush the morale of their comrades when deployed...
It is also true that the bad apples seem to thrive particularly well in the National Guard and some reserve components of our military.
However, they represent nothing but the exception. Talk to a true Army or Marine, or Air Force, or Navy, and they will all tell you the same thing - they're very proud of serving, and if you need them send them away.
Your Army friend, who sounds exactly like a few people Ive met myself, would have a hard time believe an Armored Unit of the Army was PISSED OFF when instead of being in the front lines with Abrahms tanks they were sent to do security of a couple blocks in a town far away from the front. See, he cant understand the motivation and commitment these people have, and why they love to do what they do - they were trained to kick ass and they WANNA kick ass. Their complaints stem from wanting to do their job. Your Army friends complaints stem from NOT wanting to do his job...
...Also, you have to understand MOST true servicemen simply HAVE to be sent over to the front line - because they cannot bear having their comrades fightin the war by themselves, while they are so capable but alas, they have to stay put at home and wait for their call.
For example, immediately after the airlinesr struck the twin towers on 9/11, Air Force reservists were calling their comanders telling him he could send them anywhere he needs them - because they wanna do the job they signed up for. Same thing for Marines, Navy, Army.
I figure for every service there will ALWAYS be bad apples. They whine about everything and have no morale. Next time you hear somebody whine about their service, do me a favor and whack them in the head with your books - really, REALLY hard - and then tell them 'way to serve us proud you pussy'
LOL.
I agree w/Diesel: simply being in the military and going through the motions doesn’t automatically make you a hero, it makes you a person of honor, dignity, and someone to be respected.
Here’s why I don’t think it’s such a bad thing with the Lynch story: while I think it’s annoying the way they are making this into way more than it really is, if it serves to inspire people, that’s a good thing.
For example, my grandfather died when I was 15, before I was old enough for him to talk to me about WWII. Sure, I knew he served and I saw his purple heart, and after he died my grandmother sat me down to show me the letters he wrote her when he was in Europe. He tried to tell her about what was happening, but the censors cut holes in the letters. It wasn’t like today where you have idiots like Geraldo on the battlefield giving away battle plans. All I knew was that my grandfather was a very quiet and proud man, and his family and friends had a great deal of respect for him. They considered him a hero.
Then the movie Saving Private Ryan came out. I felt that it was a tribute to, like Tom Brokaw says, the greatest generation. The fact is, many people in my generation, including myself, may not be able to truly appreciate what they did for their country. But how could we without knowing what actually happened? My grandfather never talked about it because he felt like he needed to protect us from the horror that he was a part of.
I knew he was there during the D Day invasion, but his ship was hit and sank before it was able to deploy its troops for Omaha Beach. Odds are I wouldn’t be here if it made it. Anyway, the scene at the end of the movie where the aging Pvt Ryan goes to Arlington with his family reminds me of my family. No one except the men involved really knew what went on and the burdens they bore. These men not only protected their loved ones by going to fight, but they protected them after they returned by sheltering them from the pain and suffering they witnessed. The fact that I didn’t really have an appreciation for what he did until 10 years after he passed away makes me regret not being able to thank him, but at the same time it makes me respect and appreciate him that much more for trying to protect me. That makes him a hero in my eyes.
Saving Private Ryan was just one man’s story, and there are many others just like it. It serves its purpose and that is to instill a sense of appreciation for those that fought for our freedom. As long as these portrayals are historically accurate, they serve their purpose.
Thats a great story. Men like your grandfather had balls of steel and the presence of mind to be tactful about what they'd been through, the pain they'd had to bottle up while fighting, the horrors they undoubtedly saw, that no person should have to see.
But see, your grandfather was a warrior on D-day. Anyone who's seen a movie, or read a story about D-day, knows how horrific it was. That is a story that inspires - but one that does so RIGHTLY.
Lynch's story on the other hand is being stretched too much. It is one thing to celebrate her story and make it widely known for inspirational purposes - it is another to make her one thing she is not...a hero, as CBS will have you believe. See, men like your grandfather were GREAT men. They were not singled out as THE heros of the war by any means. Their stories were told countless times amongst certain circles, but their feats were never stretched over a limit. PFC Lynch's story, in this age of media sensationalism in an industry that is driven by advertizing and programming that is appealing to the masses, is being stretched out over that limit. I feel bad for her, because among certain groups she may well end up being somewhat disdain for allowing her feats to be compared to those of a true hero - such as the 6 soldiers who were viciously shot by taliban forces while attempting to rescue their fallen comrade. And honestly, Ill understand it, because Lynch's story, while VERY inspirational, is also stretching her image TOO MUCH to the point where she is a hero.
No. To me the true heros are those who died while fighting. They're the ones that put their lives on the line to make sure a comrade comes back home - or at least that he gets to live for another day. They're the ones manning dangerous operations such as the ones in Iraq which left several soldiers dead in a single night. They're the soldiers that fought in Mogadishu in 1993 (black hawk down).
They're not someone whose only feat that separates them from all other soldiers is making a wrong turn in Iraq so that most of the unit could be shot dead by Iraqi soldiers who spared the girl's life and took her to a hospital, where Special Operations members supposedly risked their own lives and almost didnt make it, just to retrieve her. See the difference? Does a hero make such a big blunder? Most of all, is the hero the guy/gal who saves someone...or is he/she someone who is saved, according to CBS? Is all that takes to be a hero nothing more than lack of brains and awareness as to where you're going, and be saved from a painful experience, even if that experience could have led to her death?
I contend it is not.
I have to admit that I’ve been living in a bubble for the last few months preparing for a big exam. I haven’t been watching the news at all, so I didn’t know Pvt Lynch was considered an American hero and that there may be a movie. I saw the news coverage when she was first rescued, and it caught me off guard that they were calling her a hero. It seemed like they were stretching the story into something that it was not. We probably wouldn’t even know who she is if her unit wouldn’t have gotten lost. However, being a civilian, I still have respect and gratitude for everyone that serves, Pvt Lynch included.
A true hero does what he or she is called upon to do and doesn’t think twice about it, and doesn’t ask for any special recognition. It’s unfortunate that we’re even debating about whether or not she is a hero, but I blame the media for that. I doubt she wanted all the attention knowing that all she did was get lost, get captured, and get rescued (again, I haven’t been paying attention so I don’t know if there’s more to it than that). However, most 19 year olds aren’t going to turn down offers to use their story in a movie.
My point is, just like my grandfather is a hero in our minds, on a small scale, she is probably a hero to her family. I agree with you that this story definitely does not warrant all the attention it’s getting and that there are many more examples of valor and selflessness that could be recognized. But douchebags like Geraldo see this as a way to make money. Maybe it has to do with the fact that she is a woman who was in combat. Maybe not.
I was just trying to say that we as a nation can only become stronger by celebrating and honoring those that fight to protect our freedom. I agree that she didn’t do anything worth getting turned into a story, but in my mind she was over there fighting for her country, and that is enough for me. I just don’t feel like I have the right to debate whether or not she is a hero, because I don’t want to detract from what she stood for in any way. I would prefer just to honor her for the sacrifice she made by putting her life on the line. I’m sure there are many people in the military who have done heroic things themselves, who may resent her for getting all of this attention, but I don’t even know if she even wants this attention. I wouldn’t if I was involved in such a debacle.
That is all. Back to the nerdery.