Army Private Discloses He Is New Republic's Baghdad Diarist

[sabra]

Source: WP

The New Republic's anonymous "Baghdad Diarist" identified himself yesterday as Scott Thomas Beauchamp, an Army private in Iraq, and disputed as "maddening" accusations that he had invented his accounts of cruelty by American soldiers.

The magazine's editor, Franklin Foer, disclosed in an interview that Beauchamp is married to a New Republic staffer, and that is "part of the reason why we found him to be a credible writer." Foer also said Beauchamp "has put himself in significant jeopardy" and "lost his lifeline to the rest of the world" because military officials have taken away his laptop, cellphone and e-mail privileges.

As both the military and the magazine investigate Beauchamp's allegations, a personal blog surfaced in which Beauchamp said last year that each morning he feels "retarded for joining the army," "a little more liberal than the day before" and "a tool for global corporations."

...

"It's been maddening, to say the least," he added, "to see the plausibility of events that I witnessed questioned by people who have never served in Iraq. I was initially reluctant to take the time out of my already insane schedule fighting an actual war in order to play some role in an ideological battle that I never wanted to join. That being said, my character, my experiences, and those of my comrades in arms have been called into question, and I believe that it is important to stand by my writing under my real name."

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/27/AR2007072700037.html

[gratuitous]

1. So long, Mr. Beauchamp

You will soon be torn to pieces by a mob. You will know the mob because they will arrive in vehicles festooned with "Support Our Troops" ribbons and tattered American flags.

[alfredo]

2. Solo foot patrols in Sadr City?

[xultar]

3. Where are the freepers blogging from Iraq. Oh I forgot they just talk shit they don't do shit.

[ben_meyers]

14. Here ya go

http://www.milblogging.com/

[ohio2007]

16. some bloggers are on the ground covering stories

few care to follow. Western MSM will pay bucks to stringers who report just what the news sorces want to sell.

freelance suicidal journalists know they are not in it for the money but they do cover Iraq from a perspective not shown much.

some get up close

http://michaeltotten.com/
but most western reporters can't risk being kidnapped or killed. They stick out with targets on their backs.
But
some will take risks.


http://www.back-to-iraq.com/banners/rotate.php

http://www.back-to-iraq.com/

[sanskritwarrior]

19. Do you really want a list of freepers blogging from Iraq

I have friends that are Republicans that have blogs in Iraq, or are you just being facetious?

[ryanus]

4. I hope he doesn't get killed by "friendly fire" with three tight shots to the head

[BeHereNow]

5. You need to follow up with your Tillman's brother comment on the other thread!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1454189&mesg_id=1454518
Don't bait and run, tell us what you know.
Rest assured, none of us would be surprised
by anything the BFEE does.


BHN

[BeHereNow]

7. Caught your reply before the thread went bye-bye. Thanks!

I recall some discussion about Tillman's brother here on DU-
Don't recall the time frame, but do remember something
about his brother...
Maybe I'll go poking around the net for more information.
I would be curious to review his family's comments from then
with the newest allegations about his death.

I'll let you know if I find anything interesting.
BHN

[Doctor_J]

9. What happened to the thread?

[merh]

8. that link goes to a disappeared thread

.

[BeHereNow]

10. Yep, it's been disappeared- I think maybe because it contained a link to a certain site.

You know how these things go.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

6. Maddening...indeed. How dare they try a Rovian spin on this soldier's diary.

He was THERE, they were NOT.
The fact that they have cut off all his
communications just proves that
he was telling the truth about what they do not
want people to know.

Those with nothing to hide, hide nothing.

BHN

[rmgarrette64]

13. That's not what it proves

I've followed this particular event, and have to say the military had no choice but to arrest and investigate Pvt. Beauchamp. Just consider...

Either Beauchamp was telling the truth, or he was lying (OK, there's other shades here - he may have told the truth about some things, and embellished a bit, etc. Still, in the end, either everything was truthful, or he lied about at least something.) If he was telling the truth, then he has admitted to crimes under the UCMJ, and must be prosecuted, along with any other participants.

The other alternative is that he lied. In that case also, he's committed a crime under the UCMJ, and needs to be prosecuted.

Really, what alternatives did they have, once this became public?

R. Garrett

[sanskritwarrior]

18. LOL

I'm a soldier they cut off communication anytime an investigation is begun........When a soldier dies they cut off all communication...........When an operation begins they cut off all communication......It's called OPSEC and it's a good thing......

GOOD CHRIST I can see I'm gonna have to watch DU so people don't actually believe this guy is a good guy, he's not........

[Big Pappa]

20. Good luck with that.

Common sense can be a rare commodity around here.

[sanskritwarrior]

21. I know

more stuff out today.........this young man is going to jail...........

[ohio2007]

22. lol...true,. but a diamond can be found in the ruff

BTW,
did anybody post a link to the soldiers blog? I never saw one blog entry of his so I can't sit on his jury

[NYVet]

23. I read the articles, and I am a little queezy about backing this guy.

First off, it is impossible to hit a dog with the tracks on the right side of the Bradley and see it from the driver's compartment. I know, I have driven Bradleys before.

Secondly, his incident with the woman with the melted face.
I was in combat arms, and if that had happened in my presence, I would like to say that I would have to push past a few people to kick him in the teeth.

[BeHereNow]

11. Apologies to Sabra- didn't meant to jack this thread with Tillman!

Back to the topic-
I did a search on STB and ya'll should check out the
furious blogging around the story!

Michelle Malkin, our resident Asian Fascist, is
working over time on it.
Bleh, she is a disgusting and hateful woman
I'm sure the Klan would love to make her
a member, were she not Asian.

Can't we just buy an island somewhere and
send all the hate mongers there?
They'd kill each other off in a year and
we'd all sleep easier at night.

BHN

[Solly Mack]

12. Wishing him safety and a really good lawyer

in case the military decides to go after him

[sanskritwarrior]

17. There is no deciding

He is a criminal either way this slices and hopefully the Army fries his little ass........

If he is telling the truth, then he observed and participated in war crimes and refused to report them...........Hello Lt. Calley

If he is lying then he spread false information regarding US forces engaging in war crimes, a crime punishable by death......

He is a scumbag anyway you slice it, he is either a war criminal or a liar......he gets to pick his own poison....


Oh yeah almost forgot he also had a blog without the chain of command knowing about it, and he was AWOL getting back from Germany........According to his own blog, he joined the Army to write a book and get famous off the war...........

The guys in my platoon heard about this chump this morning, let's just say that my guys wanted to rip his frapping head off for either:

A. Failing to report war crimes

B. Lying about his fellow soldiers committing war crimes........

Nothing infuriates soldiers like the thought that someone they shared a foot patrol with was lying about them, the fact he was Maybe having his possible lies published by the media will drive the outrage meter to overload.......

I personally hope the Army destroys his life as either way he is scum that should prosecuted to the fullest extent........


Edit: Oh yeah and then there is this, he CLEARLY VIOLATED OPSEC on his blog

http://ghostsonfilm.blogspot.com/2006/03/shirting-soaking-wet-looking-like-i.html

Another long day...cleaning an M16, landscaping, dipping Pro Masks (gas masks to civilians) into strange concotions, a little bit of office work...basically a hodpodge of menially tasks to keep me busy. We finally got official dates on Iraq deployment: May 15 - Our Bradleys get shipped to Kuwaite June 11- Advanced Units move in June 28 - Bravo Team, second squad, first platoon, Alpha Company, first battalion, 18th brigade, first infantry division (the breakdown of who I belong to) deploys. Were probably going to sit in Kuwaite for some unknown amount of time, and then move into Baghdad...

HE FREAKING Published Scheduled Dates of Troop Deployments...............I hope the Army destroys this turd, he is a stain on me and every other member of the United States Army.........

[NYVet]

24. Loose lips sink ships

Scott screwed the pooch here.

Here is to hoping that he spends a LONG time making big rocks into little rocks in Kansas.

[ProudDad]

15. Keep your head down, Private Beauchamp

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1455843

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2931311

Remember Pat Tillman...