That this rescue mission was even necessary angers me. These troops were not sent into this war zone so that they could protect journalists who choose to go into a hostile area alongside the military forces. Troops are sent there to fight a war on terrorism. Journalists choose to accompany them to report the events of these conflicts, as they happen. They should never BECOME the story, and they should not knowingly endanger the lives of their translators, coalition troops, or innocent civilians.
When this story is told, the same effort must be given to the many ‘angles’ of this event: The poor judgment of a journalist hungry for a story; the heroism of those troops who risked their lives and rescued him; the horrific actions of the Taliban kidnappers and murderers; the sacrifice of human life -- all for a story that was probably intended to undermine the very forces who saved his life. All of this must be reported to give a true picture of what really happened.
You can find a pretty fair assessment of this story here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/sep/11/stephen-farrell-ignored-advice-taliban
When journalists decide to report from a war zone, there is an implied agreement that they are willing to risk their lives alongside those military counterparts. It also seems implied that they would do all they can NOT to put themselves into a position where they create a greater risk for the military personnel who are obligated to protect them, even as they perform their own military duties.
There ARE a few journalists who report the news from these war zones as events happen…and they manage to do so without going out of their way to further endanger our troops. They also risk their lives, but do so with respect and regard for the intelligence gathered by those trained to be knowledgeable to the dangers.
This journalist took his translator into dangerous territory with the full knowledge that there was a high risk of death or kidnapping in that area. He did so with the belief that his country's military would rescue him, if necessary. It seems that there was little -- or no -- consideration for the lives of those who would ultimately pay the price for his decision. His decision caused the deaths of not only his Afghan translator and two other Afghans, but a British Paratrooper, Corporal John Harrison.
Because the acts of heroism by our military forces, and the military loss of life while fighting for freedom from the Taliban for the Afghan people seems to take a back seat to the casualties incurred, it is necessary to set this record straight. I know that my little blog will not reach the masses the way the main-stream media stories will. But I’ve made the effort to place honor where due; and guilt where due.
God Bless our Coalition Troops.
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