OutOfIraqIntoTsunami

January 26, 2005 6:47 PM

Kevin Sites takes a break from Iraq.
posted by srboisvert (12 comments total)

That embedding with the troops probably wasn't working out too well anymore.
posted by smackfu at 7:51 PM on January 26, 2005

As much as I admire the man, I don't envy the shit that he has seen in his own eyes over the last couple years.
posted by Arch Stanton at 7:57 PM on January 26, 2005

Open Letter to Devil Dogs of the 3.1 is an explanation as to what happened when a marine shot and killed an unarmed man in a mosque. This was the one that was all over the news, and Kevin Sites was the reporter who filmed it.
posted by Dean Keaton at 10:25 PM on January 26, 2005

Sites is a talented and brave man. I'm surprised the Marines didn't manage to get him sent to Gitmo.

Nice to see he's still telling the truth.
posted by bardic at 6:12 AM on January 27, 2005

His account of the shooting of the unarmed man, is remarkably clear-eyed, fair-minded and objective (not to mention exceptionally well-written) given the obvious impact impact it had on him personally. Kevin Sites is an incredible talent.
posted by psmealey at 6:39 AM on January 27, 2005

The people in the military I know understand that Sites was doing what he had to do when he reported that killing. They're not too happy with the spotlight that it shed but don't bear him any malice.

But nice to see bardic assuming that them thar killin' Marines have the ethics of a mule.

You, Sir, are jumping to a conclusion that makes the Marines look vindictive and you look like an idiot. You have the right to represent yourself however you want, but go easy on the military.

But yeah, Sites is doing a hellava great job.
posted by Dagobert at 7:41 AM on January 27, 2005

According to reports from the field, Sites was last seen at the base camp near Fallujah eating alone in the chow hall, shunned by the Marines around him.
posted by longdaysjourney at 9:43 AM on January 27, 2005

So shunning is a direct kink to having someone go to Gitmo?

From the same article:

Officially, Marine officials have said Sites has not been removed from the field or censured in any way.

Unofficially, while Marine public affairs officers who worked with Sites in Iraq have expressed support and have said he was just doing his job, they admit his report was probably a crushing blow to the morale of the men who'd witnessed and participated in so much horror and so much heroism over the last two weeks.

No one is saying that the Marines love Sites, but the casual jump from, "They don't like him and will shun him" to "They will do some sneaky things and have him imprisoned" is stupidy and intellectually lazy. Not to metion morally offensive.

But thanks for reinforcing the point.
posted by Dagobert at 11:11 PM on January 27, 2005

I'm just pointing out that there's a reason he's no longer reporting from Iraq.

But thanks for your assumptions about who I am and what I believe about the military. They reveal a lot about how far the standards of discourse in this country have fallen.
posted by longdaysjourney at 5:38 AM on January 28, 2005

I'm sorry to disagree but your response came across a bit harsher than a simple "There's a simple reason why he's not reporting from Iraq." Your statement showed surprise that he was not imprisoned by the Marines implying that you thought that was the course of action you expected them to take.

So far, the only unfair assumption about you I have made is that you are "stupidy" which is unfair as that is not a real word
posted by Dagobert at 5:47 AM on January 28, 2005

"Stupidy"? I think you are a bit confused about who I am.

bardic != longdaysjourney

Have fun arguing with yourself though.
posted by longdaysjourney at 7:20 AM on January 28, 2005

Well, since you responded to my critiicism, I did make the miostake of presuming that you were defending bardic and held his point of view. That's all i had to go on as you opined nothing yourself except a quote from an article.
posted by Dagobert at 7:43 AM on January 28, 2005