I felt myself cringing from the very beginning of Maureen Dowd's column this morning. You had a dread sense of where the story was headed when Dowd opened by writing "Nick Rapavi’s family and friends described him as a tough guy with a selfless streak. He’d wanted to be a Marine since high school, and his dress uniform had a parade of medals for heroism in Afghanistan and Iraq, including a Purple Heart." Sure and sadly enough, Dowd informed us that "the kid described as being 'full of life' died Friday in Anbar Province, the heartless heart of darkness in western Iraq, the hole-in-the-desert stronghold of the Sunni insurgency and Al Qaeda fighters."
Predictably, Dowd used the story of Rapavi's heroic death - he died approaching a gate on patrol after telling his men to stay back while he went through - to make her case against the war.
Dowd sneered at the suggestion that one solution to the current situation might be to send more troops: "Just what the election said Americans want: More kids at risk in Baghdad. (W.’s kids, of course, are running their own risks, partying their way through Argentina.)" Citing the leaked NSC memo describing Prime Minister Maliki as clueless, disingenuous or incompetent, she concludes "It’s bad enough to say that about the Iraqi puppet. But what about when the same is true of the American president?"
Dowd let us know that her knowledge of Rapavi came via a Washington Post story that quotes the fallen Marine's mother. Googling, I found the WaPo story, and discovered that Mrs. Rapavi-Burnley is anything but a Cindy Sheehan, having told the Post: "We are all very proud of him," adding that he was "a true American hero we were blessed to have as our son, brother and friend."
So what about it? Was Dowd's discussion of Marine Nick Rapavi's death fair use, or exploitation of a fallen hero to devalue the cause for which he gave his life?
Finkelstein recently returned from Iraq, where he spent a week in Anbar province. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Dowd
November 29, 2006 - 08:28 ET by cvgbuckeyeAs a Marine, class of 1966 and a Christian, I totally and completely reject any observations by an irrelevant creature such as maureen dowd.
Anything said further is superlative.
cvgbuckeye,I've been reading
November 29, 2006 - 11:55 ET by TinaBcvgbuckeye,
I've been reading this site for a while. This is my first post and I am happy to be able to direct it to you. My husband and I were both born in 1966, so while you were intensely training to be a marine, we were safe and snug in our cribs being protected by brave and honorable persons such as yourself and for that I say a heartfelt Thank You!
We now have three young sons of our own and every night we remember our soldiers and their families in our prayers. Thank God for all of you!
I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! God Bless you and thanks again!
yes
November 29, 2006 - 12:28 ET by cvgbuckeyeYou are welcome Tina. I thank YOU for your appreciation.
To my regret, I did not serve in Viet Nam but I am eternally thankful to all those that did.
cvg...maureen dowd and othe
November 29, 2006 - 12:31 ET by ww thumpercvg...maureen dowd and others shameless people like her are an example of "The DRIVE BY MEDIA!!!" .....Political correctness when dealing with Islam will kill america....ww .....
I've read this, her article a
November 29, 2006 - 08:31 ET by The Real TonyI've read this, her article and the original. I can say, from my viewpoint, Dowd has produced another piece of exploitation. Do not feel that it is anything other than this, simply because she was not insulting to the dead Marine; its exploitation- clear and simple.
Fight Terrorism at home - defeat a liberal!
Who wrote it?
November 29, 2006 - 08:43 ET by misterbillWho wrote it? Oh, of course. Never mind.
Low-lifes like Dowd at the NYT feel it's their time to rule.
November 29, 2006 - 08:49 ET by CTDowd brings new meaning to the term SCUMBAG.
I think Dowd is better desc
November 29, 2006 - 09:27 ET by Jack BauerI think Dowd is better described as a SCUMHAG
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
That would be harpy scumbag
November 29, 2006 - 10:10 ET by John in CAThat would be harpy scumbag.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
What a bucket of skunk vomit this turdess truly is.
November 29, 2006 - 08:55 ET by Jack BauerMore kids at risk
Dowd is such a frackin' fraud she has to use the usual lying liberals' trick of infantalizing brave adult Marines as KIDS.
This is the same woman who has no problems in enabling actual 11 year old raped children to get an ABORTION without the parents even knowing, let alone giving their consent.
Oh sure Dowd. That's fine. But an actual thinking, functioning ADULT taking the decision to defend his country. He's a KID.
What a bucket of skunk vomit this turdess truly is.
And she's the child here, not the Marines.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
That kid Dowd refers to is
November 29, 2006 - 10:14 ET by John in CAThat kid Dowd refers to is more of a man than any male who's ever split the sheets with MoDo...
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
John -- she's probably more
November 29, 2006 - 10:17 ET by Jack BauerJohn -- she's probably more a Rosie O'Donnell type of gal.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
Jack, you may be right. Aft
November 29, 2006 - 11:17 ET by John in CAJack, you may be right. After all, isn't MoDo the one who has written about not being able to have a meaningful relationship with a man? On the other hand, I think she's also admitted to fantasizing about and lusting for Slick Willy. Of course, it's likely she has the universal hinge.
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
Maureen Dowd and her comrades
November 29, 2006 - 09:01 ET by GalvanicMaureen Dowd and her comrades would never recognize a fallen American warrior for his/her actions on the battlefield. They only recognize them as victims of a cruel socio-economic system that lures young "kids" in with promises of adventure, duty, honor, pretty uniforms, and educational benefits, only to shove them into combat zones as cannon-fodder. No doubt, Dowd would question the sanity of this Marine's mother as well. Just like the erroneous descriptions of contemporary military recruits made by the likes of Charlie Rangel and John Kerry, Dowd's own ignorance perpetuates the myth.
She exacerbates the problem by taking the pajoritive tack that many on the left and right rely on: refering to our men and women in uniform as "kids" or "children." In Dowd's case, it reinforces her perception of our warriors as innocent victims. Surely, an adult would never volunteer for such duty. Only naive "kids" would do so. Rangel said as much on Fox News, and he's a combat veteran himself.
Galvanic
November 29, 2006 - 10:12 ET by SportPoliticsGalvanic, the looney makookoo libs say all that now, but then very shortly ago we heard directly from crocka Kerry about his VOLUNTEERING for Vietnam combat service.
I guess the lunatic left can't keep up with the dissing of their own bestes bigshot boobyhead they just proppered up for peon postus partisan prick prude prior.
Speaking of that, since Kerry said this thing is as bad as Nam was, and then made his flibflub putdown, doesn't that very putdown make him the dumb jackass volunteer he claimed others would wind up being ? How the heck did botox boy have enough stupidity to wail out that slap across his own flabby chops. Rangel called Kerry a fool and a loser the other day then as well, with his similar cryatribe.
Next time one of these democrats craps out this line on TV, I sure hope the opposing republican reminds them their flip flopper claims he volunteered.
You raise a good point, S-P.
November 29, 2006 - 11:03 ET by GalvanicYou raise a good point, S-P. While the limosine-libs DP likes to parade around the likes of vets Murtha, Kerry, Webb, and Sestak, as proof of their commitment to national security, they still can't understand the motivations or the culture of the US military. They want to demean it as primitive, violent, and steeped in ignorance, but in doing so they'd demean their own vets, so they have trouble squaring the circle. They tend to point to the vets to say "See? There are veterans who are liberal," and leave it at that. They themselves never attempt to understand the military, and then they bemoan that "American society is detached its own armed forces."
Speaking of James Webb, the j
November 29, 2006 - 11:34 ET by GalvanicSpeaking of James Webb, the junior Senator-elect from my state, how about this exchange as reported by the Washington Post?
Post: "At a recent White House reception for freshman members of Congress, Virginia's newest senator tried to avoid President Bush. Democrat James Webb declined to stand in a presidential receiving line or to have his picture taken with the man he had often criticized on the stump this fall. But it wasn't long before Bush found him.
"How's your boy?" Bush asked, referring to Webb's son, a Marine serving in Iraq.
"I'd like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President," Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme.
"That's not what I asked you," Bush said. "How's your boy?"
"That's between me and my boy, Mr. President," Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House."
If I were Bush, I would've replied, "Very well then. As his Commander in Chief, I'll call him personally and ask him myself."
Webb is a genuine d**k-head. And we're stuck with this arrogant blowhard for at least 6 years.
<pshhlllbbb> ... and T
November 29, 2006 - 14:54 ET by Indiana Joe<pshhlllbbb> ... and THIS is an example of our "new, MODERATE Democrat?" Yeah, HE wants to be "bi-partisan" now, doesn't he?
"Webb is a genuine d**k-head. And we're stuck with this arrogant blowhard for at least 6 years."
Sounds like it in a nutshell, Galv. And you're right, "stuck" we are. ALL of us, as the "Senator" will affect much more than just the state he represents. Best we can hope for is to pull his venomous fangs two years from now.
Never too early to start....
Referring to adults in the mi
November 29, 2006 - 13:31 ET by alcatrazReferring to adults in the military as "kids" reminds me of a few years back when the Msm would refer to most poor, uneducated, unemployed persons in the middle east (read terrorist recruits) as "students". Never could understand that one.
"So what about it? Was D
November 29, 2006 - 09:42 ET by Indiana Joe"So what about it? Was Dowd's discussion of Marine Nick Rapavi's death fair use, or exploitation of a fallen hero to devalue the cause for which he gave his life?"
I vote for #2. Enough said.
IJ ditto
November 29, 2006 - 09:48 ET by misterbillIJ ditto. She has no conscience.
God bless Nick Rapavi and his family!
misterbill,Ditto on your bles
November 29, 2006 - 10:01 ET by Indiana Joemisterbill,
Ditto on your blessing... A bit ashamed I didn't add one of my own. Boiling blood kind of blinds me at times....
I can't be that kind. She is
November 29, 2006 - 11:09 ET by dvtazI can't be that kind. She is a vampire that feeds off other people's suffering.
What dowd and everyone on the
November 29, 2006 - 10:00 ET by paperheadWhat dowd and everyone on the left still do not get to this day is that we have an all volunteer army. These brave men and women sign up to defend our great nation and everything it stands for. And they don't just take anybody as John Kerry would like you to believe either. I am sick and tired of the endless drum beating of defeatism in the MSM. Where were there when we got involved in Bosnia and don't we still have troops there? Where is that exit strategy? They don't care. The MSM got the results they wanted in '06. Lets not give them that same satisfaction in '08!
marine
November 29, 2006 - 10:09 ET by iveseenitallGod Bless this marine and his family. I thank God every day for those who protect me and my family. As for Dowd and the rest of the libs, GO TO HELL.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
I can't stand it when the med
November 29, 2006 - 10:23 ET by blingbling65I can't stand it when the media reminds us that this war has a human cost. Why can't they let America's finest men and women die in secrecy. We don't need to know about their sacrifice, thats what we pay them for, right?
It always makes it harder for me to get up and go shopping for Christmas presents or go out to the bar and get drunk when I'm constantly reminded that some guy just like me is dying for no reason in a country that didn't want him there in the first place. I wish the media would have more respect for people like us who don't care how many American solders die today or tomorrow. Caring would mean we we're wrong, that Bush was wrong and I don't know about you but I'm not ready to admit that yet.
Fear not, blingbling. Over
November 29, 2006 - 11:11 ET by GalvanicFear not, blingbling. Over a million dedicated Americans are faithfully and expertly defending this nation so that you can go about your business, do your shopping, and not have to fret.
help
November 29, 2006 - 11:20 ET by cvgbuckeyebling:
Let me assist/instruct you a little.
There is a certain sadness that goes along with the oblivious pluralism that you embody. Your stab at humor is rather typical of a poor soul whom has never believed in or stood for anything other than his own smugness.
The fact that you admire do-less balcony observers like dowd betrays the fact that you have never accomplished anything on your own that required any type of conviction or sacrifice.
You may rest assured that your right to continue being a dumbass has and will be paid for by hundreds of thousands of brave young men and women who rest in their graves.
Sleep well, for you hate us but you need us on that wall.
Bling you poor ignorant soul.
November 29, 2006 - 11:38 ET by Airforce_5_OBling you poor ignorant soul.
I am truly amazed at far a lefty like you will go to get attention. Knowing some of these brave men and women as I do in my capacity in working with the military it galls me to know end when someone trivializes the sacrifice they make for their country. I think you should take a long look at what she has written and how she has done that to a great young man who gave the ultimate to protect the rights of this nation.
So let me be the first to say pull your head out.
The new world order is in power. God help us all. Airforce_5_O, 2330, November 7, 2006
Leave it to a liberal MSM hat
November 29, 2006 - 10:29 ET by InfomanOhioLeave it to a liberal MSM hatemonger who has obviously never spent a single day in a uniform to spew the usual anti-military, anti-Bush crap. Never mind the fact that our proud service members die fighting for her right to spew; she, like all the rest of them, just can never find it in themselves to say anything good about the U.S. military. Maybe we should draft the columnists and news anchor people first if the draft ever gets reinstated...
The truth may be ugly, but it is still the truth.
"people like us who don'
November 29, 2006 - 10:35 ET by iveseenitall"people like us who don't care how many American soldiers die today or tomorrow" . Read it and weep for this nation.
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
Seen,I did. I do. I was debat
November 29, 2006 - 10:44 ET by Indiana JoeSeen,
I did. I do. I was debating if and how to respond to that troll. Don't like to encourage them. If yahoos like that think that people like us don't care about our soldiers, then they really don't have a CLUE. Just mindless hatred.
And the only person I see whose mind won't be changed about ANYTHING is the... person... that you quoted.
Keep the faith,
IJ
Does anyone know the HTML co
November 29, 2006 - 10:59 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveDoes anyone know the HTML code to apply a bi*ch-slap or a round-house kick to blingbling65's face? His/her comments are so seriously insulting of Nick Rapavi and his mourning family, I can't believe he actually posted it. If it was an attempt at humor it was in very poor taste or he's been taking comedy lessons from John Kerry.
That was the most disgusting comment I have seen posted here in a long time.
'When you wade into political life you have every right to say what you want, but you cannot in turn argue that no one has the right to take you on'... --Rush Limbaugh
Mean -- I think he's trying
November 29, 2006 - 11:09 ET by Jack BauerMean -- I think he's trying to be being "sarcastic." To what end I have no idea.
Like most of us who support the anti-left political stance of NB, I want to hear about the troops and their sacrifice. We have no problem with hacks who are genuinely moved by the death of a soldier.
What I don't want is santimonious creeps like Dowd lecturing us and pretending they care while sneering at those who actually support the troops and the mission.
Proud member of the all-powerful and vast
militarist/industrialist/capitalist/zionist-bagelist complex
I once heard a wise man say,
November 29, 2006 - 11:44 ET by Mean Gene Dr. LoveI once heard a wise man say, "sarcasm is wit gone sour." Such is this case, but bling is also well known for other trollish behavior.
'When you wade into political life you have every right to say what you want, but you cannot in turn argue that no one has the right to take you on'... --Rush Limbaugh
You know Doc, I was about to
November 29, 2006 - 11:17 ET by Indiana JoeYou know Doc, I was about to post how "Seen's" posting one comment down seemed to leave blingbling in the dark. Or he's long gone. Either way, "Galvanic" has now replied directly to him. SO, as one who's out there (you, that is), I would say go for the throat!
Screw the HTML code. Just lay a mini-gun on his sorry ass!!!
Make us proud.... ;^)
<edit> btw, getting those books together... may not have as many as I thought, but what I have will be enroute before the weekend. Thanks again, IJ <end edit>
\*^P Best bi*ch sla
November 29, 2006 - 13:50 ET by Carbon Sasquatch\*^P Best bi*ch slap I can come up with.
Pretty good effort, CS. Gonna
November 29, 2006 - 14:41 ET by Indiana JoePretty good effort, CS. Gonna have to look for a chance to use it myself.
With a h/t to you, of course. .... ;^)
She owes this young hero's fa
November 29, 2006 - 10:55 ET by Airforce_5_OShe owes this young hero's family an apology. I hope they do the American thing and sue her a$$ off.
The new world order is in power. God help us all. Airforce_5_O, 2330, November 7, 2006
Airforce 5..Hay I aggree!
November 29, 2006 - 12:44 ET by ww thumperAirforce 5..Hay I aggree! Make an example of that shameless fool dowd. Maby the rest of the 'Drive by media" will get their head out of ....... .....Political correctness when dealing with Islam will kill america....ww .....
Here's to Nick Rapavi, a brav
November 29, 2006 - 11:14 ET by Michael ChapmanHere's to Nick Rapavi, a brave American who died doing his duty! He should be remembered as a hero, and a sterling example of "honor, duty, country."
Maybe this is an attempt by D
November 29, 2006 - 11:24 ET by ucMaybe this is an attempt by Dowd to start moving right with her writting and we should just cover her in accolades and hope her next piece will move even further right. She does bring a war hero's tragic but noble story out. May be she will next write about the necessary struggles for law and order.
Yes, she told the hero's st
November 29, 2006 - 11:29 ET by Mark FinkelsteinYes, she told the hero's story, but really only for purposes of making her anti-war case, certainly not as part of any rightward move on her part.
uc Dowd is not! movin
November 29, 2006 - 13:46 ET by ww thumperuc Dowd is not! moving "right". She has exploided Marine Nick Rapavi's story to advance her Anti war, Anti Bush, Anti American agenda . She is a shameless "Drive by media" "news " person! .....Political correctness when dealing with Islam will kill america....ww .....
Dowd should hang her head in
November 29, 2006 - 19:16 ET by bigtimerDowd should hang her head in shame.
Unfortunately she is a classless witch and knows not what that would mean.
Ungrateful souless creature.
Dowd is just another worthles
November 30, 2006 - 04:24 ET by liberal_bug_zapperDowd is just another worthless Liberal....and in my opinion, they're all worthless.