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DEL.ICIO.USThis isn’t a bag, it’s my weapon
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Camp Buehring, Kuwait — Clintonian word parsing, as practiced by former President Bill Clinton, has worked wonders with military bureaucracy on this trip.
It’s also helped avoid a couple of potential obstacles.
The first came while attempting to board the flight to Kuwait. Passengers were strictly limited to one carry-on item. I had two: a computer bag with delicate electronic equipment that I wasn’t about to trust to rough baggage handlers and a rucksack with personal gear.
Instead of arguing that I should be allowed an exception, however, I sought to avoid conflict through redefinition.
I parsed.
The computer bag wasn’t a bag, I said. It was a weapon. All the soldiers were required to bring their weapons on the plane. The personal computer and satellite phone were mine.
To my surprise, it worked.
The soldier in charge seemed too tired to argue. He just chuckled knowingly and waved me through with my two bags.
That small success led to another here in Kuwait. AJC photographer Curtis Compton was hefting his camera gear in a small pack with a built-in “camelback” drinking pouch when we attempted to enter the cafeteria.
Cafeteria rules specifically bar backpacks and taking Compton’s gear back to our tent would have involved a long, dusty walk and missing meal time.
The situation called for an artful redefinition.
The backpack wasn’t a backpack, I said. It was a canteen, a vital piece of safety gear in this punishing desert.
The soldier in charge thoroughly searched Compton’s bag, then, extracting a promise from us not to repeat the dodge, kindly allowed us to enter.
Thanks Bill!
Unarmed but forewarned
Soldiers frequently ask about what kind of weapons we journalists plan to take with us to Iraq. When I tell them we’re unarmed and intend to stay that way, most shake their heads in disbelief.
“You’re going to a war zone without a weapon? Are you nuts?” they invariably ask.
I tell them that my faith in their marksmanship is total, that journalists „ like military chaplains „ are non-combatants, and that I’d probably be a greater liability to them armed than unarmed.
A few reporters have made a show of carrying weapons „ Fox’s Geraldo Rivera comes to mind. But I’m convinced it does more harm to our image than good.
“Would you pick up a weapon and fire it if you had to?” a soldier wanted to know.
I tell them I’d do just about anything to avoid wearing an orange jumpsuit on Al-Jazeera TV.
“How about coming to the range with us this week?” the soldier offered. “Even if you don’t shoot, we want to know that, in a pinch, you can reload our M-16 rifles for us.”
Comments
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By TAnderson
May 26, 2005 05:40 PM | Link to this
Just wanted to drop a note of thanks to you and the photographer(Compton)for keeping us in the know about our loved ones. My husband(C Andy) is attached to the 1/118th out of Brunswick. If you guys are ever near the 1/118th give C Andy a shout out from his wifey in Statesboro. God Bless each and everyone of you. Thanking God in advance for bringing our soldiers home safe, whole, and complete. I love you CAndy, take cake!
TAnderson
By Janice
May 28, 2005 05:46 PM | Link to this
To the Boy’s and Girls of the 48th brigade combat teem. You are the hearts of so many from your home state, we are very proud you belong to us. You are in everyone’s prayers, and we know the Lord will bring you all home safely. I have a grandson that is in the 48th brigade and his name is James Ammons, if you should see him, tell him you heard from his grandma Murphy and I love him so very much and I am so proud of him. And remember boys, God is listening to you, and He is with you all, so close not your eyes without saying his name, for He loves you all so much. God Bless and love Grandma Murphy
By Grace
June 2, 2005 10:07 PM | Link to this
I cannot thank ya’ll enough for being willing to travel with the men and women of the 48th BDE. Just like them your passion for your job and country is greatly appreciated. My boyfriend is with the 248th MICO and what i have loved is being able to instead of visualizing what it looks like over there in my head as i’m talking to my boyfriend but to really see the geography and to see what the PX looks like. To know what is really going on and how the brigade is doing and what their days and tasks look like allow me to feel so connected to him and the brigade as a whole. Keep the stories and pics coming. I will pray for ya’lls safety as well as continuing to lift up the Brigade. Blessings to you all- Grace