Article

2004-06-30 Iraq-Jordan

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Posted by rex 2004-06-30 4:24:15 AM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Would a Marine officer peddle this story on an anonymous basis? Would a good Marine officer? Or is this likely to be NYT BS?

Posted by VAMark 2004-06-30 9:28:13 AM|| 2004-06-30 9:28:13 AM|| Front Page Top

#2 I vote for BS - remember Jayson Blair!

Posted by Jack is Back! 2004-06-30 9:37:27 AM|| 2004-06-30 9:37:27 AM|| Front Page Top

#3 "If you fight another Muslim brother and you kill the other one, both will be punished in hell."

That's a pre-fatwa statement. Under a full moon with bag full of zakat, all things are possible in the Religion of Pieces.

Posted by .com 2004-06-30 9:42:19 AM|| 2004-06-30 9:42:19 AM|| Front Page Top

#4 I can't believe that a Muslim would trust another Muslim over a non-Muslim. The expression the scales fell from his eyes does come to mind.

Posted by Zhang Fei 2004-06-30 10:41:52 AM|| [http://www.polipundit.com] 2004-06-30 10:41:52 AM|| Front Page Top

#5 Green's Green. Cut 'em some slack.

Posted by Shipman 2004-06-30 11:07:09 AM|| 2004-06-30 11:07:09 AM|| Front Page Top

#6 I smell BS. I'm not quite sure what NYT has to gain by inferring that the Marine was a deserter, since "their side" has more to gain if a respectable Marine gets killed instead of a "deserter".

"Anonymous Marine officer", if he even exists, is a piece of shit for speaking out of turn and for presenting no evidence to back up his claims. For one thing, no Marine would slander his brother in such a way, especially when his brother will likely show up on TV getting his head chopped off in the near future. This is not the first time I've heard the AWOL label attached to the soldier in question, however.

This is a bogus non-story, IMO. Until somebody goes on the record with the AWOL claims, I'm not buying.

Posted by Chris W. 2004-06-30 11:40:56 AM|| 2004-06-30 11:40:56 AM|| Front Page Top

#7 EFL
From that other bastion of fine reporting, the WaPo:

SALT LAKE CITY, June 29 -- Two days after Islamic militants released a video of Marine Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun in captivity with a curved sword held over his neck, the Marine Corps Tuesday officially changed its view of Hassoun and declared him to be a captive, not a deserter.

Hassoun's friends and relatives in the Salt Lake City suburbs had expressed consternation when the Pentagon had designated the vehicle operator to be on "unauthorized absence" after disappearing from his base in Iraq on June 20.

After complaints from the family and Utah officials, the Marine Corps Tuesday changed Hassoun's official status.

"While his absence initially prompted investigators to believe he was missing, the video shown on international television depicted the Marine being held against his will by masked captors," a Marine Corps statement said. "[I]n light of what we have observed on the terrorists' video, we have classified him as captured."

A Marine Corps spokeswoman, Capt. Amy Malugani, said, "The circumstances surrounding his absence are still being investigated."

Hassoun, a native of Lebanon, moved to the United States six years ago, according to members of his mosque here. They said he is a U.S. citizen and joined the Marines two years ago.

When Hassoun was found missing from his base, military officials initially told the press that they considered him a deserter. Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt, the deputy operations chief in Baghdad, told reporters that Hassoun had gone "on an unauthorized absence," the Associated Press reported. "Based on his personal situation, there was reason to suspect that he was heading over to Lebanon." Hassoun's father is in Lebanon.

Posted by growler 2004-06-30 11:55:35 AM|| 2004-06-30 11:55:35 AM|| Front Page Top

#8 I thought the situation was odd from the get go. The military was loathe to declare this marine translator "kidnapped" or a "hostage" for days. They were tight lipped about it except to say he was missing or had taken an unreported absence. As well the picture of the guy, released after several days of absence unless it was taken on the very first day he was apprehended showed a clean person in an unsoiled, pressed uniform with a blind fold.

I think many of you miss the salient point of this article in your rush to defend the honor of a marine. Marines are honorable warriors, to be sure, but was this guy worthy? IOW, I would not take insult so much with the NYT as I would with the belief of Muslims in what the Koran says, if the latter is fact. If this is true, then we have screwed ourselves big time thinking that Iraqis will eventually fight back against the "holy warriors." And if there is ever a draft, you can bet that there will be a certain sector of our society who will claim an exemption due to religious reasons.

Posted by rex 2004-06-30 11:58:21 AM|| 2004-06-30 11:58:21 AM|| Front Page Top

#9 rex, the Marine's a captive hostage.
And even with his Muslim sensibilities, he signed up for the WOT.
Maybe he thinks that the Bush Doctrine of spreading democracy throughout the Middle East and the deposing of Islamist dictators (either with the help of the US military or without if the people can pull it off) is a worthy goal for "his" people, both Muslims and Americans.

Posted by Jen 2004-06-30 12:02:14 PM|| [http://www.greatestjeneration.com] 2004-06-30 12:02:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#10 Not sure if this guy might have suffered from PTSD regarding the gruesome death of his CO, which he witnessed--even more probable if he wasn't a Marine, because he wanted to "be a Marine."

"Corporal Hassoun, a fluent Arabic-speaker who had been living with his family in West Jordan, Utah, outside Salt Lake City, joined the Marine Corps to work as a translator."

I think it's better to join the Marines specifically "to kill people and break their things" (with honor), in defense of something truly believed in. This guy moved here only six years ago (not that someone who moved here six weeks ago wouldn't make a great Marine--it's just that maybe he didn't really understand what he was getting into.) His ideals (if Jen is correct) may not have matched the realities of war (against people of his same type.) Or perhaps he may have tried being a Marine as a "career."

In any case, rex makes an interesting observation " If this is true we have screwed ourselves big time thinking that Iraqis will eventually fight back against the "holy warriors." And if there is ever a draft, you can bet that there will be a certain sector of our society who will claim an exemption due to religious reasons."

Most important point: Shows you what kind of bastards the terrorists are--won't even help "one of their own."

Posted by ex-lib 2004-06-30 12:42:28 PM|| 2004-06-30 12:42:28 PM|| Front Page Top

#11 Actually, ex-lib, I was hoping for the best and winging it.
The real story gets a lot weirder:

The New York Times, citing a Marine officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reported on its Web site Tuesday night that Hassoun had been traumatized after seeing one of his sergeants killed by a mortar, and was trying to make his way back toÂ Lebanon. The officer told the paper that Hassoun sought the help of Iraqis on the base, was betrayed by them, and was handed overÂ to the extremists.

My guess is that he will most certainly be beheaded and made an example of as a "traitor who helped the kaffir."
Even weirder is the fact that his American (and presumably Muslim) family has chosen to live in Mormon-dominated Salt Lake City.

Posted by Jen 2004-06-30 1:04:46 PM|| [http://www.greatestjeneration.com] 2004-06-30 1:04:46 PM|| Front Page Top

#12 "Even weirder is the fact that his American (and presumably Muslim) family has chosen to live in Mormon-dominated Salt Lake City."

Yeah. Probably thought the name (West Jordan) meant something else. Oops.

Posted by ex-lib 2004-06-30 1:12:31 PM|| 2004-06-30 1:12:31 PM|| Front Page Top

#13 I'm at work, I don't know if this'll go through. I already posted a comment earlier today, but don't see it...

If the mamrine in question had family still in Lebanon, the terrorists may have blackmailed him into "defecting" by threatening them, and then held him hostage.

I don't think we're getting the whole story from the NYT, and don't want to speculate on whether the parts we're getting are true.

Posted by Phil Fraering 2004-06-30 1:39:35 PM|| 2004-06-30 1:39:35 PM|| Front Page Top

#14 I don't think we're getting the whole story from the NYT
As well, I'd say we are not getting the full story from the military.

Posted by rex 2004-06-30 2:17:42 PM|| 2004-06-30 2:17:42 PM|| Front Page Top

#15 rex, some of us trust the U.S. military.
And have you forgotten--There's a war on?
This Hassoun walks a dangerous line in that he's both a U.S. Marine, a Muslim and an alleged immigrant from an unfriendly country--IOW, a very delicate situation for our military.
We don't live in a CNN "OJ trial" world anymore where people just talk their heads off to the press and tell them more than we ever wanted to know because it wasn't important.
Loose lips sink ships and cost lives.

Posted by Jen 2004-06-30 2:24:59 PM|| [http://www.greatestjeneration.com] 2004-06-30 2:24:59 PM|| Front Page Top

#16 rex, some of us trust the U.S. military.
Why is every post of yours always laced with smug arrogance and judgmental innuendoes? Back off. My point was that the military is not telling us everything because they don't want to be brow beaten by the PC crowd into characterizing this marine as a "hostage" when there are so many questions about his "disappearance." Duh. I'm on the side of the military and I never have posted anything other than support.

Posted by rex 2004-06-30 3:26:06 PM|| 2004-06-30 3:26:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#17 Quite frankly, the New York Times long ago forfeited its right to be believed. It is a propaganda broadsheet masquerading as a newspaper. Marines may be jarheads, but no Marine officer would be dumb enough to issue a statement like this off the record or not. The Corps is too small for any source to stay anonymous for long and the official censure and unofficial shunning that would ensue would be decidedly unpleasant.

All in all, I think this is just another NYT propaganda piece in their ongoing attempt to elect John Kerry and any truth that might be contained therein is coincidental. At least Jason Blair wrote interesting fiction. This is just BS.

Posted by RWV 2004-06-30 3:31:55 PM|| 2004-06-30 3:31:55 PM|| Front Page Top

#18 And have you forgotten--There's a war on?
This Hassoun walks a dangerous line in that he's both a U.S. Marine, a Muslim and an alleged immigrant from an unfriendly country--IOW, a very delicate situation for our military.
We don't live in a CNN "OJ trial" world anymore where people just talk their heads off to the press and tell them more than we ever wanted to know because it wasn't important.
Loose lips sink ships and cost lives.

buy American and kill a commie

Posted by boredbyharpi 2004-06-30 3:33:03 PM|| 2004-06-30 3:33:03 PM|| Front Page Top

#19 The guy was possibly a deserter, if someone's gone from duty for 24 hrs much less 48, we know right away the next morning - he's in a UA (unauthorized absence) i.e. awol status. Desertion is technically being gone w/out permission (i.e. gone over the hill) for 30 days or more. My gut instinct tells me this Cpl was trying to take off and was using local Iraqi's for help and got double crossed. My head tells me to wait for the final investigation.

BTW- Not sure how the NYT got any officer to speak in anonymity, we have PR people for record speaking, we don't do shit off the record w/the press or on condition of anonymity. This officer needs his ass chewed.

Posted by Jarhead 2004-06-30 10:24:04 PM|| 2004-06-30 10:24:04 PM|| Front Page Top

#20 No Muslims should participate in this pre-emptive war against the Iraqi people. It is time for America service (men and women, Muslim and non-Muslim) to re examine their involvement in this fiasco by the Neocoms and their pet stooge, "dubya".

Posted by jibril 2004-07-03 4:47:33 PM|| 2004-07-03 4:47:33 PM|| Front Page Top

#21 muslims first, Americans second, huh "Jibril" confirms what a lotta people think. Reactivate Manzanar

Posted by Frank G 2004-07-03 6:39:06 PM|| 2004-07-03 6:39:06 PM|| Front Page Top

#22 Ofcourse Muslim first and American second. Just as any good Christian (or Jew) is a Christian/Jew first and American second. If a good Muslim (and you are good Christian) we will all be good Americans. What happened to "In God We Trust"? When you die you will have to answer to God, not Caeser, or Bush.

Posted by jibril 2004-07-04 9:19:34 AM|| 2004-07-04 9:19:34 AM|| Front Page Top

#23 Now that Hassoun has thrown off his mask, and that he is safe (anyhow this is good) and hidden somewhere in Iraq with his Iraqi friends, who can still doubt that he is a traitor, a coward and a deserter ?

Posted by Anonymous5563 2004-07-06 10:44:55 AM|| 2004-07-06 10:44:55 AM|| Front Page Top

#24 what would make him a "coward"? It takes a brave soul to say NO, to this unjust, illegal war.

Posted by jibril 2004-07-06 12:33:39 PM|| 2004-07-06 12:33:39 PM|| Front Page Top

#25 The world has had its fill of Islamic justice and legality. That's what you get when you base your legal and moral codes on the whims of a 7th century caravan raider and pedophile.

Posted by ed 2004-07-06 12:46:45 PM|| 2004-07-06 12:46:45 PM|| Front Page Top

#26 I donât know any word, other than COWARD, that, since the dawn of mankind has been given, always with infamy, shame and contempt, by every people, in every age and civilization (including the Islamic ones), to a soldier that runs away from the war field because frightened for his life.

Posted by Anonymous5563 2004-07-07 1:19:07 AM|| 2004-07-07 1:19:07 AM|| Front Page Top

#27 My "coward" reference was towards the terrorists that have been doing the beheadings. Perhaps Hasoun had a change of heart and realized that this war is wrong and wanted to be a part of it, no more. he was wrong for going there in the first place.

Posted by jibril 2004-07-07 12:44:12 PM|| 2004-07-07 12:44:12 PM|| Front Page Top

#28 Your reply sounds so naive (about Hassoun) that or you are in good faith - and really you should get the Nobel prize for naivity - or you are in bad faith and you don't deserve even an answer with your provocative hypotheses (are you able to read the mind of Hassoun ?)

Since ever and in every Country and war, when one soldier, who has has sworn on HIS HONOR to serve his Country, runs away in the night, like a thief, because (he said) frightened by the death of a comrade, this fact, my friend, has since ever and everywhere only one name: COWARDICE.
If you like you can also add a second word: Treason, of his Country and of his comrades, who remained there, fighting and dying for us and ALSO FOR HIM.

If Nassoun will ever return to US, I hope that he will pay with infamy for both his crimes.

Certainly I'm ready to spit on his face.

Posted by Anonymous5563 2004-07-08 3:44:22 AM|| 2004-07-08 3:44:22 AM|| Front Page Top

#29 why don't you go and take his place? Maybe someone will be here to spit in your face when you return. Again, he should not have participated in this unjust, illegal war in the first place. May God show him the light.

Posted by jibril 2004-07-08 10:51:47 PM|| 2004-07-08 10:51:47 PM|| Front Page Top

#30 Rex may have something...doesn't sharia forbid a muslim to fight another muslim in the service of the infidel? Can anyone get the exact quote in sharia? I'll try and come up with it.

Posted by jawa 2004-07-08 11:02:14 PM|| 2004-07-08 11:02:14 PM|| Front Page Top

#31 Here's something: http://www.shareeah.org/eqna/article.php?id=014

Posted by jawa 2004-07-08 11:07:43 PM|| 2004-07-08 11:07:43 PM|| Front Page Top

#32 jibril,
you are only a filthy supporter and likely a spy of arab terrorists.
I have my brother in Iraq and I'm proud of him.
He hasn't run away after having seen his comrades dying.
Certainly you wouldn't have the bravery to openly fight there against US troops (as you would certianly like).
You are here and the bravest thing that you are able to do is spreading your filthy messages and perhaps helping in secret the ones who are preparing the next terrorist attack against this Nation.

You are not even worthy of my spit.

Posted by Anonymous5563 2004-07-09 2:55:36 AM|| 2004-07-09 2:55:36 AM|| Front Page Top

#33 jawa-No, Hassoun should not have been there supporting this illegal war against his Muslim brothers and sisters.

Posted by jibril 2004-07-09 11:49:21 PM|| 2004-07-09 11:49:21 PM|| Front Page Top

#34
you are saying yourself the fanatic and terrorist you are.
This is the most monstruous lie you islamic terrorists are spreading to deceive first of all your arab brothers and sisters: THIS IS NOT A war against muslims; this is a war against a dictator called Saddam who killed millions of muslims.
Everyone who talks as you talk, is only trying to stir up a religious war between Christianity and Islam.

Beware, jibril, what you are doing: Internet is MUCH less anonymous than a coward like you may believe.
With your messages you are leaving a lot of traces and soon someone will succeed in finding who you really are and in which sewer you are trying to hide.

Posted by Anonymous5563 2004-07-12 1:02:38 AM|| 2004-07-12 1:02:38 AM|| Front Page Top

#35 one who uses anonomous as a name would be closer to being a 'coward'.

Posted by jibril 2004-07-12 9:59:49 AM|| 2004-07-12 9:59:49 AM|| Front Page Top

#36 my Anonymous name is as anonymous as your jibril, no more no less.
But for you, the anonymity is not far from ending.
Continue to contact this Forum and you'll make easier the task of who's chasing you.

Posted by Anonymous5563 2004-07-12 12:58:38 PM|| 2004-07-12 12:58:38 PM|| Front Page Top

#37 anonymous-Who is chasing me? and why?

Posted by jibril 2004-07-13 11:13:46 AM|| 2004-07-13 11:13:46 AM|| Front Page Top

12:10 AnonymousAuthor
00:42 Anonymous5889
11:13 jibril
23:41 John
12:58 Anonymous5563
09:59 jibril
01:02 Anonymous5563
14:46 Balima Bingo
23:49 jibril
13:58 badanov
13:44 Balima Bingo
02:55 Anonymous5563
23:07 jawa
23:02 jawa
22:51 jibril
03:44 Anonymous5563
12:44 jibril
01:19 Anonymous5563
18:42 Anonymous5581
12:46 ed
12:33 jibril
10:44 Anonymous5563
17:45 Diane
09:19 jibril