Soldier's Blogs
This story falls into the same vein as my Pat Tillman post the other day. The author, Zachary Scott-Singley is a soldier stationed in Iraq. He is one of hundreds of soldiers who take the time to post in a blog whenever they have a chance. His posts are sometimes just short anecdotes as to what he did that day; something for his wife to see. However, there are others like the one linked above that are extended insights into the war and the toll that these men and women go through. Blogs like this one give soldiers a much-needed outlet for venting frustrations that come from the real-life images of war.
I didn't find it very surprising that the Pentagon chose to selectively censure soldiers whose blogs gave away a little too much information. Soldiers came under fire over the spring when TIME magazine featured some links to their blogs. The information that they placed on their websites has contradicted some the reports of their superiors. In a war, that spells trouble. Officers charged with management and care of soldiers must take necessary steps to ensure they have complete control of their unit. I can understand both sides of this issue. I would have to side with the officers on this one.
Some soldiers understand that rights shrink upon joining the service. Note that I said 'some' when referring to today's soldiers. That is no mistake. Most never even read their contracts, but they may as well sign in blood when they enroll in this school. I remember reading my contract about ten times before I decided to enlist. I just had to get the courage to subject to a new law: the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This is the type of law that is enclosed in a single book and it is short and sweet. It's like Cliff's Notes for everything lawyers learn in law school, with a special nod to those who regard the Constitution as laughable. That law basically puts a person into the realm of peerless juries, battlefield executions, and a brief Bill of Rights. Most soldiers never cross that line. Those that do are quickly disciplined and pushed back into line. This war has changed that.
Soldiers like Colby Buzzell and Zachary Scott-Singley are walking that fine line. Their posts don't bash the Army or question the administration as much as they challenge the way people think. They question the ethics that underlie the war and show the ugly faces of war. I champion these men (and women) and hope that the Information Age provides the future with some dash of truthfulness that can't be censured.
I didn't find it very surprising that the Pentagon chose to selectively censure soldiers whose blogs gave away a little too much information. Soldiers came under fire over the spring when TIME magazine featured some links to their blogs. The information that they placed on their websites has contradicted some the reports of their superiors. In a war, that spells trouble. Officers charged with management and care of soldiers must take necessary steps to ensure they have complete control of their unit. I can understand both sides of this issue. I would have to side with the officers on this one.
Some soldiers understand that rights shrink upon joining the service. Note that I said 'some' when referring to today's soldiers. That is no mistake. Most never even read their contracts, but they may as well sign in blood when they enroll in this school. I remember reading my contract about ten times before I decided to enlist. I just had to get the courage to subject to a new law: the Uniform Code of Military Justice. This is the type of law that is enclosed in a single book and it is short and sweet. It's like Cliff's Notes for everything lawyers learn in law school, with a special nod to those who regard the Constitution as laughable. That law basically puts a person into the realm of peerless juries, battlefield executions, and a brief Bill of Rights. Most soldiers never cross that line. Those that do are quickly disciplined and pushed back into line. This war has changed that.
Soldiers like Colby Buzzell and Zachary Scott-Singley are walking that fine line. Their posts don't bash the Army or question the administration as much as they challenge the way people think. They question the ethics that underlie the war and show the ugly faces of war. I champion these men (and women) and hope that the Information Age provides the future with some dash of truthfulness that can't be censured.
posted by Ben at 6:59 PM
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