Jessica Lynch Book Trouble

by Panda 76 Replies latest social current

• 

  Simon

  Simon, these people were ambushed during one of the worst sand storms in history. I'm sure they did have at least one gps device, but roads do not run due north and south so it would be easy to become confused during a sandstorm. In fact they did discover their mistake, but it was too late.

  GPS doesn't need the roads to run due N/S or E/W ... it tells you exactly where you are (well, to within 10ft or so) and which direction you should be going (assuming you know where you are supposed to be going).

  I have never heard an official from the Pentagon quoted by the news media during all of this hype you alluded to, so I suspect it was for the most part media hype.

  The pentagon released the film and the story I believe.

  Apparently you, and others, are under the impression that a war can be fought without any mistakes or casualties. Maybe after armageddon.

  On the contrary. I know mistakes can and will happen. It seems some other people cannot admit that this could ever happen though and that the military could ever do any wrong.

  I'd have less problem believing politicians and generals if they told us when they got things wrong from time to time.
• 

  Yerusalyim

  You'd think they could afford to give people GPS wouldn't you? It would cost a fraction to fit them to vehicles or provide some hand-held units. They can afford to put them in missiles to have them blown to bits - I guess they don't put quite the same value on the troops eh?

  Good point...and here's what's going on in the military...all vehicles will be fitted with a GPS and an on board computer which maps out where all the other vehicles and units are in relation to them...AND provide route maps. The Captain DID have a GPS, but ya gotta know how to use that equipment...AND TRUST IT.
• 

  Shutterbug

  Simon, have you ever been in anyone's military? Have you ever been in a sandstorm with or without gps. I have done both and believe me, things can go wrong and confusion can set in. As far as admitting mistakes, there was a through investigation of the incident and most of the problem was blamed on the "fog of war" and the sandstorm. The military did release the tape of the rescue, not the capture, and I sure don't recall any hype from the military about Jessica's role in the orginal incident. I repeat, this was all media hype and boy can they get things wrong. Bug
• 

  Stacy Smith

  GPS doesn't need the roads to run due N/S or E/W ... it tells you exactly where you are (well, to within 10ft or so) and which direction you should be going (assuming you know where you are supposed to be going).

  My dad has a gps. It works fine out in the open and is very accurate. But next to rocks or in a huge sandstorm it will get lots of interference and then the gps ends up guessing which direction you are going. Even a bad rainstorm will mess it up.
• 

  Shutterbug

  Thanks Stacy, I didn't know that was the case. Not sure that happened in Iraq, but it is a possibility. Bug
• 

  Stacy Smith

  Bug almost everything on this thread is specluation but some state their information as though it were hard facts. Such as when Simon said the troops used blanks, well one of his sources said that. Now that is just silly and obviously lousy speculation.

  Too bad everything about this has to have a negative slant put on it. Jessica Lynch served her country and the money she was after was what, a 20,000 bonus after working 3 years for about minimum wage? Oh what a whore she is
• 

  Panda

  Yeru: Thank you for your excellent comments. I appreciate someone from an actual military background replying with what they know is so.

  I find it hard to accept that Simon has these derogatory ideas about the US. I have never been in a battle or military. I think my very first real clue about battle was in a film (yes a movie w/ real blanks) Saving Private Ryan. The WWII vets who I spoke to all said that the beginning of that movie was exactly what they went through. There was no knowing exactly what the enemy would do.

  Simon is so ready to accept the Guardian maybe he'd like to read some Right wing wacko stuff to agree w/ too. The same boogey man in the Pentegon at both extremes of politicos.

  Thanks again Yeru your expertise is appreciated.
• 

  Yerusalyim

  Panda,

  Thank you.

  Simon still loves us...and we him. I've had to lower him a notch on that pedistol (how the heck is that spelled?) but he's still a pretty good guy...he just don't know beans about the military...and speaking of beans...THANKS England for Mr Bean...the guy is hilarious...and for Benny Hill.
• 

  tinkerbell82

  how the heck is that spelled

  pedestal :) i appreciate the military info as well
• 

  Shutterbug

  Good post Stacy. As far as Jessica Lynch is concerned, she is worth what someone is willing to pay her.

  Believe me just being in the military can be a real trial, if you go to war the poo poo gets deeper. I do not begrudge her the money. The father of the fellow who got killed, it seems to me, is trying to get something for nothing. If he should insist on part of the money there probably wouldn't be a book. And his son was not drafted, he went on his own free will.

  Panda, Yeru's post was excellent. He really has his positions well thought out. Bug