90 replies to this topic

[American Woman]

It's just as I said in the sarcastic "U.S. continues to win hearts and minds" thread - when a U.S. soldier does bad, the whole world reacts - and too many condemn the whole; but when a U.S. soldier does good, there's barely a reaction. How unfair to those devoting their lives to making Afghanistan and Iraq a better place - such as this 29 year old soldier and father of 3, who gave his life to save the life of a little Afghan girl.

Rhode Island Guard Soldier makes selfless, ultimate sacrifice for Afghan child

The actions of one Rhode Island National Guard Soldier epitomized the Army Value of selfless service, "doing one's duty loyally without thought of recognition or gain," as he heroically saved an Afghan child without regard for his own life.

Sgt. Dennis Weichel Jr. died March 22, from injuries sustained when he was struck by an armored fighting vehicle after moving an Afghan child to safety.

‘Hero’ U.S. Soldier Gives Life to Save Afghan Girl

It is a compelling war-zone story of heroism of a U.S. soldier who gave his own life to save an Afghan girl from certain injury.

Sgt. Dennis Weichel, 29, died in Afghanistan last week as he lifted an Afghan girl who was in the path of a large military vehicle barreling down a road.

Weichel spotted the girl and quickly moved toward her to get her out of the way. He succeeded, but not before he was run over by the heavily armored truck. The girl was safe, but Weichel later died of his injuries. He had arrived in Afghanistan a few weeks ago and had been a member of the Rhode Island National Guard since 2001.

May he RIP.

[GostHacked]

Blame your media.

[Manny]

How tragic that he had to die like this. He showed himself to be a courageous person, unlike soldiers who wantonly kill non-combatants. But they should indeed be criticized for murder.

Why was the large armoured vehicle "barrelling down the road", such that it was not able to see people in the way? I've read other news about US military vehicles driving over people before, both in Iraq and in Afghanistan. In some cases driving right over cars with people in them when there was a traffic jam, crushing them to death. Maybe they will be more careful now.

[American Woman]

Blame your media.

Why? They reported it - but the usual crowd didn't react. If this soldier had killed the girl, and had had the same media coverage, the usual 'critics' would have been all over it. So I blame the reaction of the people at large.

Your reaction is a perfect example, actually, as you had nothing to say about the soldier's actions.

I don't know about you, but the media doesn't control me - and if you are controlled by the media, I suggest you develop the art of critical thinking - but odd that you claim it's the media's fault, as you don't "blame the media" when the troops are being demonized.

[American Woman]

Why was the large armoured vehicle "barrelling down the road", such that it was not able to see people in the way?

Did you even read the article? They were able to see people in the way, which is why the troops were clearing the kids out. The little girl ran back. I doubt if such a vehicle can stop on a dime, regardless of how fast it was going.

I've read other news about US military vehicles driving over people before, both in Iraq and in Afghanistan. In some cases driving right over cars with people in them when there was a traffic jam, crushing them to death. Maybe they will be more careful now.

Really. You've read that, have you? Some links would be nice. And fyi, they were being careful. The little girl darted back. But of course we can't have an incident of a soldier doing good without finding bad. It's just as I said.

Edited by American Woman, 31 March 2012 - 07:54 AM.

[Jack Weber]

Look...I read the article...

The Sargeant performed a heroic act and died in the process...

Is the point of this post to provide balance or is it to trumpet the mission in Afghanistan?

If it's the latter,history tells us that any outside military intervention into that country will end in abject failure...This one included...

[eyeball]

I don't know about you, but the media doesn't control me - and if you are controlled by the media, I suggest you develop the art of critical thinking - but odd that you claim it's the media's fault, as you don't "blame the media" when the troops are being demonized.

You're definitely not under your own control, you're just one big button that says 'push me'.

In any case, thanks for bring the story to our attention. I never would have heard of it otherwise. Sure sucks to be Dennis Weichel Jr. alright.

[DogOnPorch]

Look...I read the article...

The Sargeant performed a heroic act and died in the process...

Is the point of this post to provide balance or is it to trumpet the mission in Afghanistan?

If it's the latter,history tells us that any outside military intervention into that country will end in abject failure...This one included...

I doubt AW means either. More the irony of the situation. Remember, if a 'white guy' had shot Zimmerman his Latino roots would have suddenly become apparent. Same deal in Laughghanistan.

[Jack Weber]

I doubt AW means either. More the irony of the situation. Remember, if a 'white guy' had shot Zimmerman his Latino roots would have suddenly become apparent. Same deal in Laughghanistan.

Both links tell the story of a Sargeant performing a heroic act...I agree...

Why post this,if not for balance,when she has admitted she felt the othe "hearts and Minds" thread was "sarcastic" (it was) and she was a bit put off by it?

Whatever...I didn't know this happened so it's good it's out there now...

By the way,we now have someone posting as "The Right One" (interesting terminology) claiming Zimmerman is a "Mestizo (mulatto...losely translated as "mule") and a half-Jew"...Interesting how racially charged events bring certain types out,eh?

[DogOnPorch]

Both links tell the story of a Sargeant performing a heroic act...I agree...

Why post this,if not for balance,when she has admitted she felt the othe "hearts and Minds" thread was "sarcastic" (it was) and she was a bit put off by it?

Whatever...I didn't know this happened so it's good it's out there now...

By the way,we now have someone posting as "The Right One" (interesting terminology) claiming Zimmerman is a "Mestizo (mulatto...losely translated as "mule") and a half-Jew"...Interesting how racially charged events bring certain types out,eh?

Check the transgender thread...lol.

[Manny]

http://articles.lati...pinion/oe-gans6

As we approached at typical breakneck speed, the Blackwater driver honked furiously and motioned to the side, as if they should pull over. The kids in the back seat looked back in horror, mouths agape at the sight of the heavily armored Suburbans driven by large, armed men in dark sunglasses. The poor Iraqi driver frantically searched for a means of escape, but there was none. So the lead Blackwater vehicle smashed heedlessly into the car, pushing it into the barrier. We zoomed by too quickly to notice if anyone was hurt.


http://english.people.com.cn/200503/18/eng20050318_177392.html
Three Iraqi civilians were killed Friday when a US military truck ran over a civilian vehicle on the main road between Tikrit and Kirkuk north of Baghdad, police said.

"A convoy of US military trucks was heading toward Kirkuk at about 8:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Friday, when one of its trucks ran over a civilian car coming from the other side, killing three people aboard," a source in Tikrit police told Xinhua.

"The civilian car was leveled on the road,".


Afghanistan civilian carnage increasing
During January 2009, twelve U.S/NATO forces’ actions (including one road accident where a MRAP military armored vehicle crushed an Afghan civilian car) resulted in 73-88 dead Afghan civilians (including five Pashtun tribes people in North Waziristan killed in a U.S. drone strike).


Note the MRAP is the same kind of vehicle desribed in your post which ran over the US soldier.

[bleeding heart]

By the way,we now have someone posting as "The Right One" (interesting terminology) claiming Zimmerman is a "Mestizo (mulatto...losely translated as "mule") and a half-Jew"...Interesting how racially charged events bring certain types out,eh?

He's either 1.) a right-wing Stormfront type (his persona); or 2.) a leftie pretending to be one to make them look bad (as if that's necessary! ); or 3.) some slightly amatuerish provocateur trying to get a rise out of people.

I think he's 1.) and 3.), if I had to guess.....

[American Woman]

Note the MRAP is the same kind of vehicle desribed in your post which ran over the US soldier.

Try to understand that the vehicle described in my post ran over the U.S. soldier because the little girl darted back in front of it. That was no one's fault; not any more fault that if you were going down the road, being as careful as you could be, and a child ran out right in front of you - and you hit her.

The soldier risked his life to save the little girl's life. There is no negative on the part of the U.S. troops to this incident. The fact that you are finding fault where there is none just proves my point.

[eyeball]

There is no negative on the part of the U.S. troops to this incident.

Except that they shouldn't be there, they should be in the countries that the 9/11 terrorists actually came from.

[Jack Weber]

Check the transgender thread...lol.

I saw it...



Methinks Lictor's back under a new handle...

The "Right One"...

I suppose he'll be spouting Francis Evola drivel next?