TAH on MSNBC
While I was interviewing on BBC today, I got an email from Jeff Black at MSNBC who wanted an opinion he’d find no where else;
Retired Army platoon Sgt. Jonn Lilyea, a Desert Storm veteran who writes the blog “This Ain’t Hell,” told msnbc.com he expects the military to make an example out of the shooter as the case moves through the justice system.
Still, Lilyea cautioned that people should not rush to blame the killings on the soldier’s deployments during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“I’d wait to see if he really was in a position that would have affected him in this way,” Lilyea said. “But I’m more concerned people will try to use this like they did after Vietnam with the My Lai massacre and taint all combat veterans of this generation as if they were like this one guy.” Millions of Americans have served in combat, seen and done “terrible things,” but have gone on to normal productive lives after their service, Lilyea pointed out.
Yeah, I know my interviews are less sexy than the interviews that IVAW does, and I’m kind of boring and no broad brushes, but I hope that I’m helping you guys out. Which is why this blog is here.
Category: Media, Military issues, Veterans Issues
Very nice… I like the small brush work.
I saw “terrible things” like this Iraqi guy who wet his pants…I mean his man dress.
I hope the heck this is not some sort of whacko political ploy.
That far off the reservation and then returning to turn himself in?
Checking out in a major fire fight with local security forces maybe.
But this.
Just weird.
<3
Actually – it didn’t dawn on me just how far people might take this thing this particular SSG allegedly did until I read your comment on MSNBC…not for lack of understanding history –
I guess I just feel like we live in a different time than then – the access to media is far greater – greater literacy rate too – people are less likely to form opinions on the troops through gossip at the local lunch counter than they are to get their news from trusted (biased or non) sources of information or news, than they are to let a singular group of literate people disburse the news through town like a game of “Operator” gone awry.
Although I could be wrong…this does indeed have the gravity that My Lai had, although (here I go again), My Lai was promulgated by a group of soldiers, whereas this is being seen (or at least, being painted) as a “Lone Wolf” scenario. In other words – any singular individual from 2LT Calley’s unit could have conceivably stopped the massacre, whereas this fellow seems to have allegedly carried out these horrific acts by himself.
But your comment was well taken by this amateur historian, and thanks for pointing it out – you’ve definitely gotten one new reader. And I hope that the American public doesn’t over-react and start referring to this as My Lai (part II). It would be a massive disservice to the thousands who have served, fought, were wounded, or died in the effort over the last 11 years.
I have to say – I agree with H1 @ 3 – this is a very strange pattern of behavior…especially the part “that far off the reservation” and then *walking* back – in the middle of the night – alone – married father of two?
I don’t know – there’s something that’s goofy or hinky, it would seem.
Well done, Jonn.
A voice crying in the wilderness, though.
WE all know better than to rush to judgement, but the left has an agenda, and a required storyline to support it, and damned if they’ll let facts get in the way.
Very thoughtful comments Jonn. I also like to remind folks that I talk to that many people have returned from combat and gone on to lead very productive and law abiding lives. I would lean more towards this being mental illness type thing. This unfortunately happens from time to time with school shootings and workplace shootings. I am very concerned with what the troops will have to experience now with the revenge factor. In this country, we let our justice system handle these type of things. I am afraid the barbarians in Afghanistan and other places like it will kill innocent people that had nothing to do with this murder spree.
AW1 Tim; We’ve had almost seven hundred visitors from MSNBC since that story posted, I’ve had several emails from people telling me that they’re glad they found this blog today. So, ya know, my “voice crying in the wilderness” might be having some measure of influence, however small that might be. And you eat an elephant one bite at a time.
Hammer swung and registered loudly. Thanks for “But I’m more concerned people will try to use this like they did after Vietnam with the My Lai massacre and taint all combat veterans of this generation as if they were like this one guy.”
Have to add BOHICA I’m afraid.
Jonn goes behind enemy lines and survives, good to see!
Jonn, Well said. You did good. And Kudos to MSNBC for seeking you out.
And by “off the reservation” I mean, on many levels.
Thanks, Jonn. Your common sense approach and logical thinking are spot on! How’s that for brown-nosing!
Have I toooold you……lately……..that I looove you….. 🙂
Awesome.
Indeed, well done Jonn.
A seasoned and reasoned voice.
Who would have thought?
But, will the Make Believe Media actually pay attention?
And, if Drudge links to this post stand by to shift the servers out of 1st gear…
Hotel1.
Out.
Very well done, Jonn.
I see CBS is using the Jorge footage as well, and the thrown out Survivalist (without mentioning he was tossed from the military)and the Koran burning and the urination pic.
lordy, lordy, his head ain’t gonna fit through his front door if we keep singin’ his praises…
Even if he does deserve them.
Well done, Jonn.
Little late in repsonding but in my eyes you are still doing what a platoon sergeant does.
Keep it up. Thanks!
I just scabbed this off of the MSNBC site a few minutes ago. Not bad for MSNBC.
“There has been much discussion about the fact that the non-commissioned officer was on his fourth trip to Southwest Asia, implying that the stress of repeated deployments may have been the proximate cause of a breakdown that resulted in this tragic violence. While we should not be sanguine about the huge demands we place on our undermanned and overtaxed forces, specious arguments justifying the outburst are easy but dangerous to construct.
Most murderers have not served in the armed forces, and there are many thousands of American troops who have murdered nobody, but have more deployments than this suspect. Coincidence is not causation.”
FYI: There is a report on MSN that the soldier’s court martial will be held in Afghanistan. They’re saying that the number of witnesses that will have to testify makes it difficult to hold the trial anywhere else.
Some details.
http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/13/10670935-officials-us-soldier-in-afghanistan-shooting-spree-said-i-did-it
Didn’t just walk back and turn himself in.
Looks like he was not planning to return…
Very sad.
Bradley Manning is accused of an act that has and may lead to the death of dozens of Iraqis who worked with Coalition Forces. He faces life in prison.
A soldier murders 16 civilians and faces the death penalty.
So a mouseclick is less deadly than an M4 trigger? Or is it the lack of middlemen in the murder?