Like this is new?
Friday, Michelle Malkin posted about an article in the New York Times Slimes "commemorating" the 2,000th fatal casualty in Iraq. My take on the 2,000th death is here, but Ms. Malkin's article pointed out an even more egregious sin.
The Lamestream Media - you know, all those "unbiased" and "fair" ones - deliberately quotes a fallen hero out of context, and twists his sacrifice into an anti-war statement.
CPL Jeffery B. Starr was on his third tour in Iraq when he was killed in a firefight - with Islamofascist terrorists who were fighting against the rule of law and order, no doubt - in April. He was only 22, and his family obviously lost a bright, talented, and well-loved young man.
The NYSlimes quotes his farewell letter -
Sifting through Corporal Starr's laptop computer after his death, his father found a letter to be delivered to the marine's girlfriend. "I kind of predicted this," Corporal Starr wrote of his own death. "A third time just seemed like I'm pushing my chances."
And that's all they quote.
However, CPL Starr's uncle, Timothy Lickness, contacted Michelle and gives the complete context of the quote:
Several months after Jeffrey was killed his laptop computer was returned to his parents who found a letter in it that was addressed to his girlfriend and was intended to be found only if he did not return alive. It is a most poignant letter and filled with personal feelings he had for his girlfriend. But of importance to the rest of us was his expression of how he felt about putting his life at risk for this cause. He said it with grace and maturity.
He wrote: "Obviously if you are reading this then I have died in Iraq. I kind of predicted this, that is why I'm writing this in November. A third time just seemed like I'm pushing my chances. I don't regret going, everybody dies but few get to do it for something as important as freedom. It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it's not to me. I'm here helping these people, so that they can live the way we live. Not have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. To do what they want with their lives. To me that is why I died. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark."
What Jeffrey said is important. Americans need to understand that most of those who are or have been there understand what's going on. It would honor Jeffrey's memory if you would publish the rest of his story.
And thank God, Michelle did. Patterico has taken it up, as have Euphoric Reality, Ace, the Daily Blitz, and many others (go see Michelle's trackbacks).
I see phrases like, "beyond despicable," "desecrating the dead," and "shameful editing." I would add traitorous, deliberately false, anti-American, liberal drivel.
How dare they use the death of a hero like this? I suppose it shouldn't surprise me, since Cindy Sheehan - the ultimate in desecrators of heroes' deaths - is practically their poster child.
I've been reading a lot about the NYSlimes' woes with circulation, readership, and downsizing. I await the ultimate demise of this scandalous rag with relish and profound anticipation.
I always appreciate that you keep me up to date on some of the really important stuff that doesnt make it onto the evening Fox hunts. Be blessed today- me I am actully gonna dig out some time for a quilt that is calling me.
Posted by: The Red Queen | October 29, 2005 at 11:34 AM