Yesterday, the AP ran a story about a soldier in Iraq who dared to question Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld about why troops weren't being supplied with state-of-the-art armored Hum-Vees. This morning, there's a "update" to the
story - highlighted on
Drudge - that quotes the soldier's ex-wife, Regina, saying:
"It wouldn't matter if it was Bush himself standing there," she said. "He would have dissed him the same."
Now, how do you think the AP could have dug up her name?
The messages are clear and they are twofold: First, the message to the media and the public at large is: this guy's a no-good trouble maker; discount what he says. Second, the message to the troops on the ground is: if you
dare challenge this administration and it's conduct of the war -- particularly with the cameras present in a public forum -- we'll slap you down so fast it will make your head spin. You have an ex-wife, an ex-girlfriend, a neighbor, a coach, or a schoolteacher that you didn't get along with?
We'll find him! And we'll get him to comment about you -- in the national media!!!
It's just what every soldier returning from Iraq and looking for a job needs.
So, if you're in uniform, don't you dare speak truth to power -- ever!