Patterico's Pontifications

5/16/2009

An Army Tale

Filed under: General — DRJ @ 3:35 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

A Fort Worth soldier makes the cover of the New York Times as he fights the Taliban in his “I Love NY” boxers.

— DRJ

49 Responses to “An Army Tale”

  1. Where’s Extreme Makeover when you need them.
    Everyone knows you don’t mix pink boxers with a red t-shirt… although when you put that M-4 in the mix, at least half of W. Hollywood busted out in a chorus of “In the Navy”

    SteveG (c99c5c)

  2. […] And Patterico has an interesting on-topic story. […]

    Gazzer’s Gabfest » Today is Armed Forces Day. (b98ad6)

  3. Cost of fighting in Afghanistan: Millions
    Cost of a pair of IheartNY: $5.99
    Getting caught wearing them: Priceless!

    GM Roper (d53336)

  4. Student: President Obama, if you were photographed fighting in your underwear in Afghanistan, would it be boxers or briefs?
    Obama: Depends.

    nk (a1896a)

  5. Shouldn’t that be …

    Obama: Depends (TM).

    ?

    DRJ (f55947)

  6. Yes, it should.

    nk (a1896a)

  7. His mom said the Red Hearts matched the Red T-Shirt (which is for a local Frozen Custard joint)and the kid (all of 19) is from Keller. One of the many town in the DFW metro area.
    Where they are stationed has had over 200 firefights since the unit has been there.

    Yes his mom is quite nervous. Then someone shooting at your kid over 200 times will do that.

    JP (7d78aa)

  8. It’s so uber appropriate to be fighting Al Qaida/Taliban in Afghanistan wearing I heart NY boxers. I adore that picture. LOVE IT.

    Vivian Louise (c0f830)

  9. From the angle of the photograph, shouldn’t the title of the post be “An Army Tail”?

    Apogee (e2dc9b)

  10. Please, Apogee. My humor is much more subtle than that.

    DRJ (f55947)

  11. Or the title could be “Soldiers involved in brief skirmish”

    Gazzer (206e15)

  12. This is designed to distract us from the nude pornographic photos of Miss Homophobic California that Patterico posted previously, correct?

    JD (4249e2)

  13. I agree, Vivian Louise, there is a delicious irony with the I heart NY boxers.

    Dana (4a6e8c)

  14. DRJ – My humor is much more subtle than that.

    That’s why you’re the moderator, and I’m the moderated.

    Apogee (e2dc9b)

  15. “My humor is much more subtle than that.”

    Layers and layers of rich, chewy nuance.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  16. Let us all take a moment to say a prayer that #88 puts #18 in the Turn 4 wall tonite.

    And props to Sprint for having that not-the-least-bit-telegenic singer Jessie James sing the National Anthem.

    Let’s go racin’. Boogity boogity boogity!

    JD (4249e2)

  17. Sorry about the completely off-topic comment … 😉

    JD (4249e2)

  18. I am not the least bit sorry about hoping the #18 becomes acquainted with the safer barrier.

    JD (4249e2)

  19. Redneck misogynistic hillbilly racist NASCAR bastard!

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  20. Since we’re going off-topic, I’m sad Mine That Bird lost … even though I like Rachel Alexandra.

    DRJ (f55947)

  21. That is a not nice, yet quite accurate description of the #18.

    JD (4249e2)

  22. I just wonder if the purpose of that photo was to make light of the troops. Maybe I am over reading it but I do wonder.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  23. Mike K,

    There is a ‘Look at these frat-boys’ feeling to the New York Times article, which is why I linked to a Texas story on the family’s reaction instead of to the original story.

    DRJ (f55947)

  24. I could be his grandmother,I’m not, but he is my hero.
    I admire him for getting into the fight without regard to how he looked.

    Ruth H (32f620)

  25. DRJ – That does not surprise you about the NYT, does it?

    JD (4249e2)

  26. That is because, once again, the NYT just doesn’t get it. Why would they, their view is limited to the scenery just outside their nostrils.

    Vivian Louise (c0f830)

  27. Kyle Busch prolly voted for Barcky. He is a not-good person.

    JD (4249e2)

  28. This guy should be named honorary Vice-Mayor
    of the USA.

    Mike D. (be34a6)

  29. You don’t go to war with the pants you’d like to have, you go to war with the pants you’ve got!!!

    Robert C. J. Parry (9ca0dc)

  30. Mike K,

    Lisa Schriffin at NRO asked the same question,

    This (link to photo)the main, above the fold, four-column color picture the editors saw fit to run this morning. And the thinking was . . . ? “That Afghanistan war sure is a hoot. Look at this weenie soldier fighting off the Taliban in his pink boxers! ha ha ha . . . ” Or maybe it is just a picture of a guy with a cute butt, who just happens to be in hills of Kunar province — you know, borrowing from the “cheesecake” tradition of British tabloids. And why is the soldier’s name provided?

    For the record, the other front page picture is a somber, dignified portrait of Rosie O’Donnell’s brother, a gay N.Y. State Assemblyman, who is focused on passing legislation to legalize gay marriage in New York. Clear enough what we should take seriously.

    No matter if the NYT doesn’t get it and seeks to mock an American soldier, the voice of the soldier’s mom speaks louder and clearer and resonates more with the American public than the NYT. Everyone knows this. Except for the Times, of course.

    Dana (4a6e8c)

  31. Dana, does Lisa Schriffin have access to the thinking of NYT editors, or is she just making up an unflattering explanation out of habitual dislike? In the portions you quoted, she doesn’t seem to provide a basis for the thinking she imputes to the Times.

    The soldier’s parents seem to like the picture and seem to see the fact that it ran as an opportunity to take good-humored pride in their son.

    Tim McGarry (9fe080)

  32. I first thought, New York….?
    Then I got the Forth Worth, Texas twist.
    Then it made complete sense.
    The joke is on the phony NYTimes.
    Idiots trying to straddle a story. Won’t work any more.
    God Bless our troops….

    Andrew (6d7d89)

  33. Tim,

    I don’t whether Schriffin has had personal talks with the Times editors over this or not. My guess is that 1) She knows, as most of us do, that the Times has not been a great supporter of military actions, 2) The stark contrast between Rosie’s gay NY Assemblyman brother appearing dignified and somber while involved with a left leaning cause vs. an American soldier in his undies in an unpopular fight speaks fairly loud and clear.

    Dana (4a6e8c)

  34. Must have been something in the water in that O’Donnell family. Mom and Dad must be soo proud…not that there’s anything wrong with that.

    Gazzer (206e15)

  35. Dana, I think you may be reading more into it than is really there.

    Tim McGarry (9fe080)

  36. Tim, you may be correct, but prior coverage by the NYT regarding all matters of a military nature can give one pause, at least regarding their underlying motives. Past behavior is often a precursor to future actions, particularly when it comes to the MSM.

    Dmac (1ddf7e)

  37. To cite just one example, most major media outlets refused to run the incoherent and rage – filled advocacy ad that accused “General BetrayUs” of allowing our trooops to be killed in a wanton manner – most major media outlets, that is, other than the NYT. Having worked on the ad sales side of the national consumer publishing business for many years, no way does an ad like that run without the full support of the editorial board.

    Dmac (1ddf7e)

  38. I recall the ad, Dmac. Like you, I found it objectionable. I’m still inclined to think the “pink boxer” photo was chosen simply because it’s a great shot with high reader appeal. As you and Dana point out, however, other motives are possible.

    Tim McGarry (9fe080)

  39. Other motives are not just possible, they are probable and likely given the NYT’s practically open hostility towards the military.

    JD (07b76c)

  40. It will indeed be quite interesting to see how the MSM covers the upcoming surge in Afghanistan -they’re already bending over backwards justifying his recent decisions on military courts, terror memos, etc. (which I’m glad to see)- will they still be on board when this effort inevitably runs into snags on the ground?

    Dmac (1ddf7e)

  41. I should clarify that I was gladdened to see Obama’s reversals on those campaign positions, regardless of his motives.

    Dmac (1ddf7e)

  42. If this had happened while George Bush was still our Commander-in-Chief, the liberal blogs would be up in arms: Bush sends soldiers to fight without proper uniforms, complete with references to the Third Reich sending ladies fur coats to soldiers on the front lines outside Moscow during the brutal Russian winter.

    Note to Scott Jacobs: do not take pink boxers to Parris Island.

    The snarky Dana (474dfc)

  43. The accompanying story in the Times compared with the one in the Dallas/FtWorth News link posted above is a bit different in presentation and tone.

    Tim, I don’t think Schriffin (or myself) are reading too much into anything. There’s just been too much historical evidence on the part of the Times to not assume. While it is a great get of a photo, it’s good to have the family’s take on it. I would have not assumed the worst of the Times had they also had the family’s take on it as well.

    At this point in time, the Times does not get the benefit of the doubt with much of anything – especially anything to do with war, soldiers, or any perceived R being either directly or indirectly involved.

    Dana (4a6e8c)

  44. I agree that the Times’ attitude is unknown and it may have been just too good a photo not to run. Still, their editorial policies are well known and not military friendly.

    I have been a fan of the Horatio Hornblower novels since college. In one, there is a scene where Hornblower is taking a bath under the wash deck pump with icy seawater when they spot another ship. It turns into a crisis and finally, hours later, Hornblower realizes that he is still on deck naked from his bath. He never took time to dress.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  45. Also, Tim, I just quickly perused this morning’s headline of the NYT and found it interesting that the stories were at the top and NOTHING on currently the biggest story – Nancy Pelosi:

    Economic Woes Rattle Race for CA Governor: The dynamics of the 2010 race are topsy-turvy, with Democrats trying to buck a gubernatorial slump against a millionaire-peppered group of moderate Republicans.

    Death From Above, Outrage Down Below: Drone attacks in Pakistan are doing more harm than good.

    World Watches for U.S. Shift on Mideast: As Israel’s leader heads to Washington, many wonder whether President Obama will chart a different course from his predecessors.

    Dowd: Cheney, Master of Pain|
    Rich: Obama Can’t Turn the Page on Bush
    Kristof: Pregnancy Threat
    Editorial: Detainee Photos

    Dana (4a6e8c)

  46. Down the memory-hole with SanFranNan, Dana.

    JD (a51115)

  47. Heh. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who noticed!

    Nancy? Nancy who?

    Dana (4a6e8c)

  48. Hmmm, wonder what the caption would have been had the soldier in question been getting up and changing clothes but not yet putting anything on when the “call to arms” sounded. Helmet? Check!
    Vest? Check! M4? Check! Drawers? Whoops!

    GM Roper (d53336)

  49. The only saving grace is that the Time’s severe financial straits is hindering it’s previously broad reach, at least among the rest of the country outside of NYC and DC. Although I still subscribe to the Sunday edition, the paper’s a far cry from what it was only ten years ago. While it was always a reliably liberal mouthpiece, their inherent biases were usually somewhat constrained – not anymore.

    Dmac (1ddf7e)


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