The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Finding an Audience

11.16.05 @ 12:01AM

MILITARY MYTH MAKING
Re: James Bowman's review of Jarhead:

Please don't take Jarhead seriously -- it is the work of a vivid imagination.

Like Swofford, I went through boot camp in 1989 and served in an Infantry unit in the first Gulf War. His book and movie are nothing but a collection of wild exaggerations, tall tales, and urban legends. The scene you pointed out where he is ridiculed for his reading material in a bathroom by a Drill Instructor is impossible. Recruits are not allowed, nor did we have time, to casually read literature. The only reading materials we have are manuals issued to us and a bible. Nor were we allowed to casually hang out in the bathroom and read -- you did your business and got out. Ridiculous scene.

There are small nuggets of truth wrapped in a thick layer of lies throughout the "story." Read the reviews by Marines at places like Amazon. Very few of them think Swofford is truthful and most are angry at how his lies depict us.
-- Chris Bramley

My son is in the army. This is from his personal blog:

"...if any terrorists are busy wasting their time reading this, well, whatever. Y'all want to kill me for having any opinion that doesn't agree with yours. Take your best shot while I'm over here, though. I wouldn't recommend trying it again in my country. Sure, it might be hurting right now, but you don't want to poke a wounded bear. You do know what a bear is, don't you? If you're online, you should do a Google search on what a grizzly bear is capable of doing to a person. Sure, a grizzly bear isn't exactly sociable, doesn't have wonderful manners, or like to be petted, or great company, or for sitting in one's lap, but it will survive extraordinarily harsh environments, massive amounts of trauma that would kill lesser creatures, and still manages to have some fun while living. Don't mess with the bear."

I'm sure this has been repeated countless times by his brothers and sisters in arms in all services. Swofford should be ashamed at the caricature he created.
-- Anastasia Mather
Staten Island, New York

Please convey my gratitude to Mr. Bowman; it is his willingness to view such drivel in my stead that spares me the need. I don't know how he does it.

I am a former Marine myself (1969-1973) and would only add that it is my understanding that the term "Jarhead" refers to the caps worn by Marines a hundred or so years ago because they somewhat resembled the screw-on lid on a jar...

Best,
-- Travis Martin
Lubbock, Texas

WRONG AUDIENCE
Re: The Prowler's In Their Own Words:

I think the document, "Iraq & Weapons of Mass Destruction: What the Democrats Said and When They Said It," would have been better served if it had been distributed at the Senate DEMOCRAT Policy Lunch, rather than the Senate Republican Policy Lunch.
-- Irene

I appreciate The Prowler giving us yet more quotes from Democrats warning us about the dangers of Saddam Hussein and his thwarting of UN resolutions and the threat of his weapons programs. It's about time the GOP stopped playing defense, got off the ropes and punched back.

Unfortunately this all falls on the deaf ears of the "hear no evil" left that care, ironically, more about power politics than they do the security of the great country they live in.

It's even worse given the dying liberal media, while still thumping their chests in proclamation they are objective, refuse to confront the same power hungry politicians because it will either help a president they openly hate or it will keep their agenda from advancing. The fourth estate is nothing but a card-carrying member of the fifth column.

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Health Care, John McCain, Business, Religion, Islam, Abortion, Environment, Law, Military, Iraq, NATO, Fascism