As the US gets ready to enjoy the 4th of July weekend, here’s a reminder our independence and continuing freedom come with a price. The military announced yesterday a US Soldier was captured by insurgents. Our heart-felt thoughts and prayers shoud immediately reach out to his family and loved ones in hopes of a safe return.
While details remain sketchy, the Taliban hardline Haqqani faction claims it’s captured the Soldier and 3 Afghanis. Reportedly, the Soldier was “taken to a safe place.” There have been no official claims or demands from insurgents, however.
According to military spokesperson Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, “We have all available resources out there looking for him and hopefully providing for his safe return.” She declined to provide other information about the Soldier, a private first class, for his safety. Apparently, the theory goes, the less that’s publicly available on insurgent-held captives, the less likely it is for them to make outrageous demands.
The Soldier’s family has been notified. In all likelihood, this will be the most nerve-wracking holiday weekend of their lives. They must be wondering why their son left the security of his compound on Tuesday. And, they must be deeply concerned for his life. We should remember that when we fire up the grill or head for the beach or boat this weekend.
From the Weekly Standard
Media Double Standard on Captured US Soldier Predictable
Remember how the media conspired to hide the capture of New York Times reported [sic] David Rohde by the Taliban? We were told the media did the right thing to deliberately not report on his capture in order to ensure the reporter’s safety and not allow the Taliban to use the media to manipulate the narrative.
Today, it has been reported that an American soldier has gone missing in eastern Afghanistan. Unsurprisingly, just about every media outlet has run a major story on the capture, and if they haven’t, they will do so shortly. You can bet that when the soldier’s name is revealed, we’ll be bombarded with interviews of his family and any images or videos released by the Taliban.
The obvious question is why is it prudent to hide Rohde’s kidnapping yet splash the headlines with the capture of a U.S. soldier? The answer is that the media views itself as being above the fray in America’s wars. In their eyes, they’re a neutral party, not part of the story, so they can remove themselves from the story when they wish. And the funny thing is they re-insert themselves back in the story when it makes them look good, like this feel-good piece on David Rohde’s triumphant return to the New York Times newsroom.
—Bill Roggio
I’m certainly glad David Rohde got home safe and unharmed and I truly feel for the 8 months of anguish his family, and he, went through. But, he’s treated—and brandished—as a celebrity the very day after a US Soldier went missing in Afghanistan. That makes me sick.
