Comments on: Prison or Iraq for Reservist Deserter?

By: hoorayforjustice

hoorayforjustice — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 19:11:08 +0000

thank god the bitch is finally behind bars. what a coward and disgrace to the United States. She should be behind bars for much longer!

By: alamn

alamn — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 23:13:13 +0000

I can’t tell you why Marine is always capitalized — but as a former military journalist myself (Army MOS 71Q), I always write it that way.

By: msparber

msparber — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:28:34 +0000

You're right. That's interesting.

"I don't see how he could do that," said Jim Lowe, an editor at Merriam-Webster in Springfield, Mass. "The word (soldier) is already established in the language. It's a generic word.

"He can capitalize it if he wants to give it emphasis and make it stand out in text. As far as the dictionary is concerned, it's still a generic word. I don't think one person's use of it will change anything in the dictionary."

However, the word "Marine" is capitalized by both the AP and Webster's when referring to a member of the United States Marine Corps.

Merriam's Lowe didn't seem to know why.

The Chicago Manual of Style by the University of Chicago Press does not capitalize Marine. A receptionist there said no editors or professors were available to answer why the Chicago manual did not capitalize Marine.

The University of Minnesota style manual also does not capitalize Marine. The person there who could answer the question was not at work on Friday, according to her answering machine.

Webster's and AP capitalize neither "sailor" when referring to a member of the U.S. Navy nor "airman" when referring to a member of the U.S. Air Force.

By: TommEboy

TommEboy — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 21:22:01 +0000

The "S" started getting capitlized on Soldier in December of 2003. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter J. Schoomaker decreed that all command information products, including base newspapers, capitalize the word "soldier" from now on.

By: msparber

msparber — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:45:16 +0000

Since when do we capitalize “soldier?”

By: Former Sarge

Former Sarge — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 19:28:58 +0000

I happen to know this individual and I hope and pray that they hang her from the highest pole available.

There isnt a draft and even if there were, this country still does not and will not draft women. She came into the Army Reserve on her own free will and became a problem Soldier almost immediately.

She is a spoiled brat who thinks the rest of the world is out of step and should conform to her "fuzzy pink bubble" approach to everything. She enlisted voluntarily; stayed in voluntarily and she went AWOL voluntarily.

She should be punished and take complete responsibility for her foolish and immature actions.

By: uneducated and stuck in Iraq

uneducated and stuck in Iraq — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:02:58 +0000

I'm soon on my way to Iraq. I joined the Army Reserve for the same MOS, around the same time, and even had the same recruiter as Melanie McPherson.
McPherson and I even served in the same unit. I can tell you that she is an artist and humanitarian by nature. Without trying to insult her, however, she was never a Soldier. She wore the uniform, but never actually took to heart what it means to be a Soldier.
I honestly believe for as much as she may have tried to justify her actions with her heart-felt story, she is a victim of her own impulsive nature. She may have put a lot of thought into what she is currently faced with, but the impulsive decision that got her to where she is today was her joining the military in the first place. She had a lot of school debt that she wanted paid off and thought a minimal existance in the Army Reserve would oblige that need.
However, knowing the recruiter she went through, I can say for a fact that she knew of the potential for Active duty and was told on at least one occasion that Army needs take priority over MOS training.
If indeed she was going to be used to supplement a security force, as a Soldier she has already been given much of the training required for the task. She would also receive more training once in country to ensure her competency in mission related tasks.
In closing, I do not hold ill will to Spc. McPherson. I have nothing against her personally. I do, however, believe she needs to be punished due to the fact that what she has decided to do is in direct conflict with the Soldier's Creed, Warrior Ethos, UCMJ, and the Army Values to include Personal Courage. Though some may say she is expressing Personal Courage right now for standing up for what she believes, I disagree. She should have shown the Personal Courage to do what she was told to do and challenged herself to perform as a Soldier. We are, afterall, Soldiers first. That was beat into our heads with every session of Common Tasks Training, and why we attended Basic Combat Training before attending an MOS school.

Tie your boot laces and Soldier Up.

By: Melanie McPherson

Melanie McPherson — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 21:32:30 +0000

I appreciate the support regarding my situation. Thank you. It is even good that there is such dialogue concerning related politics and policy. It is patriotic to question decisions made by the government. Its not about the right or left wings, it is about the state of our country at home and abroad. What is this all for? What outcome is the goal for the U.S? Wasnt the Mission Accomplished? Are we empowering the people of Iraq? Where did the 45 million dollars go to train the Iraqi troops? Whos getting richer? Are we safer as a nation? What about N. Korea? Where is Osama? Do people actually believe Iraq should be the true focus? Sure we have less causalities than the Vietnam War. What about the other lives being lost due to this conflict? Post traumatic stress is abundant as well as serious injuries and exposure to toxins including depleted uranium. I have great regard for those that serve in the military, but isnt it our responsibility to protect them through training, adequate equipment, therapy, honesty and so fourth&. Have people forgotten about who is reconstructing the destruction taking place in Iraq and the ties to the company? Are people aware 58% of Inactive Ready Reserve soldiers avoided the call of duty and face little to no consequences? Do people know that there is a long list of soldiers who volunteered for this mission and it has taken over a year for them to be called to serve? Do people know that about half of the active Army have not been deployed for this mission? Why call ME out of the IRR for a mission that was cancelled well before I got my orders? Did they really want a journalist? Why invest so much time and training as a journalist to switch it upon arrival to theatre without specific training for another entirely different job? Be flexible to be broken and to harm those around me? My total time trained = 88 days of soldier skills, 220 days of journalism all said including for this mission. Was I ready? It is not all about me. I am just one example of hundreds or thousands being prepped for failure. Army standards keep being lowered& Physical, mental and age requirements are all very low, why do we think this is? I encourage people to read Bagdad Burning. Stop the judgment and be constructive. Too much hate. Use your energy for solutions for the greater good….

By: An aquantence

An aquantence — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 23:33:33 +0000

Georgie baby, you ever pick up a book? I bet you don't even have a library card. I find it humorous that you would mention a 4 yr. old, because that's what your resonses remind me of. I was hoping for some potential constructive, educated critizism, not childish critizism. Grow up. I get the feeling I know what your stance on evolution would be, you knuckle dragger.

Sorry I stooped to your level as far as bashing goes, but I believe your concrete mind was poured some time ago, and has been set in right-wingville for some time. Therefore, I know that trying to have any sort of objective communication with you is like trying to walk a cat backwards.

If you decide to maybe use that brain that god gave you, and to write something of true substance, I will be happy to debate/ reply.

If you continually write mindless tripe, don't expect me to give you the time of day. I have better things to do than to waste my time with child-like behavior such as yours. Don't be such a loser, baby step towards being constructive. Come on Georgie, come on, I know you can do it big boy.

Just having fun. I bet that got you all wound up. OK, settle down, take a time-out, and deep breaths. Can you use your brain now? Good boy. A woogaa wooga woo. I though I heard you laugh. I know I am. Bye Bye.

By: msparber

msparber — Mon, 23 Oct 2006 14:23:36 +0000

Nice try, but there is civil and uncivil discourse, and simply mocking someone doesn’t fall into the former category.

Seriously, someone made a case. Either respond with facts, or shut up. Our public discourse is polluted enough by people who think all they need to do when they disagree is poke their nose in, bully a little bit with some unwelcome sarcasm, and duck out again. In the world of adults, this doesn’t fly.