no wonder the brits consider us uncouth savages

[frogcycle]

News release from British Ministry of Defence for a soldier killed yesterday:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/CorporalRodneyWilsonKilledInIraq.htm

US DoD releases for soldiers killed Wednesday:


http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10991

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10989

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10988

http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=10987

[Breeze54]

1. The Brits are just as savage, if not more.

I don't care what they think, quite frankly!

[jazzjunkysue]

10. True.

[Buzz Clik]

2. I see your point. I much prefer the UK approach. HOWEVER, ...

I must point out that we have a daily death watch here at DU in which the names of the fallen are never mentioned.

I make it a point to praise anyone initiating a thread at DU that acutally mentions the names of those killed and particularly to those giving some background.

Excellent post.

[frogcycle]

3. have you visited my website?

link below

[Buzz Clik]

6. Hey, that's nice.

I'll need to take an hour or two, and give it the full tour.

Thank you.

[frogcycle]

12. get a box of kleenex,

play the Judy Collins Amazing Grace, and watch the slideshow for May. Takes about 8 minutes.

Most of the photos are links either to a bigger version or to another picture. Most of the links are to hometown newspaper article that are often much like the british defence ministry writeup. Some are to early, brief reports. Unfortunately, for some there is not much out there.

[Breeze54]

11. The names of the fallen are mentioned all the time!

It's the Pentagon that says names not released yet.

And when the names are available, they are posted by many here at DU.

[Mika]

4. Except that..

We have ALWAYs been at war with Eurasia

[RB TexLa]

5. Sorry, there are no people I consider lower than the english

[colorado thinker]

7. Why?

Not that I disagree, just curious about your reasons.

[RB TexLa]

8. I was taught about them by an Irish family

[Posteritatis]

16. Well, that sounds objective. (nt)

[LeftishBrit]

22. What a lovely open-minded view!

Ever actually been there?

[Swamp Rat]

9. ok

:D

[IChing]

20. Gratz on your 30,000 or so post buddy-

Oh and you are right
sod the proles

[illinoisprogressive]

13. the bushies are trying to keep as much info on death secret as possible

[RL3AO]

14. Who wants to write 5 of those everyday? Thats why its just a paragraph.

[frogcycle]

18. gee, maybe the secty of defense should get an autopen to sign the condolence letters

oh, wait...

[robcon]

15. What a horrible generalization you made

Simplistic - acting as if "the brits" (a nation of 50+ million people) are of one voice on anything.

I have several British friends and a few British acquaintances. None of them think of Americans as uncouth savages. I think your smear against Americans (or is it against the British for alleged thinking of Americans that way?) is nasty and uncalled-for.

[frogcycle]

17. ok, I'll rephrase

Boy, the Brit's Ministry of Defence sure is classier than our Department of Defense when it come to acknowledging one of its own who was blown to bits was an actual human being.

I would expect any civilized British citizen, comparing these, to think we must be uncouth savages.

[robcon]

19. It's hard to believe you think this is an "improvement."

I guess you'll continue to think of "Brits" as a single person who, it so happens, agrees with you. What kind of fool does that make you?

[LeftishBrit]

21. I don't know any Brits who consider the Americans to be uncouth savages!!!

Everyone I know does consider this war to be both a crime and a tragedy.

[frogcycle]

23. my point seems to be lost

The British Ministry of Defence press releases put the US DoD to shame. That was the point.

I know many British and I know they don't consider us to be ignorant savages. That part was tongue in cheek. A backhanded compliment suggesting that the US DoD releases look crude and callous, and that the MoD is more civilized.

Writing five of these per day would not be prohibitive - the DoD just does not choose to. Hometown newspapers do though. What has frustrated me of late is that more and more news agencies in attempting to get information about a local citizen who has been killed have been saying that the DoD rep did not return their calls. It used to be that local papers had the stories out BEFORE the DoD confirmation. The DoD release was just pro forma. Now they are often still struggling to get info for days and all they publish is repeats of the DoD release and "calls were not returned. The DoD know who and where the next of kin are - they notify in person. They know what high school the kid attended. The local press frequently interview teachers. It seems to me that the DoD could do a little better job of facilitating the public paying homage to these folks. Instead they act like the press is the enemy.