Catherine,
Thank you for posting the site information. As noted, the first article on the Home Page is on the number of Killed In Action (KIA) in Iraq.
I started the email thread below and await a reply from Steve Mraz. I will also keep an eye on the European Stars and Stripes online edition for any updates on this subject.
Let's see what happens!
Bests,
John
From:
vpocv@comcast.net [Add to Address Book] [View Source]
To: "Steve Mraz" <mrazs@mail.estripes.osd.mil>
Subject: Re: Info
Date: Thu, 21 Jul 2005 15:26:31 +0000
Steve,
The source of the count, dreadful that it may be, is:
http://baltimore.indymedia.org/newswire/display/10554 Although specific proof is not yet available to me, I rely on past performance and patterns of abuse with respect to assertions and conclusions in military matters. If Baltimore can reinforce its position re casualty figures by input from the families of killed and wounded Americans, so much the better. After all, this is a media effort. Let the chips fall where they may. In the meantime, this information on debate of the figures of KIA should be made available to those who have taken the oath to protect and defend those Rights which you are certainly in the midst of enjoying.
My reaction to the DOD response is that we must provide the pro and con of this dilemma to those most seriously effected; those who may be thinking of enlisting in the Armed Forces, those who may soon be subject to the possibility of the resumption of the Draft and those who may be contemplating extending their service commitment.
The material in the site;
http://johnmccarthy90066.tripod.com
is provided, in part, for those eligible for service, and their parents. This is my raison d'etre. The correction of the historical aspects of our current military adventures is preeminent.
The debate on whether the information in the media document provided is "absolutely incorrect" is welcome. Free speech and all that. First Amendment Rights are what we all hope for and what some of us have fought and died for. Challenging any DOD response is part of that media Right, yes?
However, any spokesman for DOD's veracity on any subject of contention is now and forever will be questioned. This is not a White House Press briefing situation nor a DOD briefing. It is a debate. Simply saying it is incorrect doesn't make it so. But your spokesman is not available for this 'debate', eh?
Nothing personal here, but their bosses lie to them, too. Or their bosses are ignorant on the matter. Just look at the State Department documents on the site and then take up the discussion of truth and veracity re subjects as serious as treason in wartime and conspiracy to obstruct justice in a capital murder case to cover up the treason. DOD spokesmen are batting .000 on that matter. So is the FBI, State Department and CIA. Go figure!
I certainly expect that the use of any quote from me on this matter would include the URL for my web site so that the readers of Stars and Stripes may make up their own minds, as directed by DOD regulations re censorship. Freedom of the Press is one of my highest priorities.
BTW, I just read an online news report that Landstuhl Army Hospital has announced their 25,000 wound treated from the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict. That is amazing for a 150 bed hospital!
I look forward to reading your article online in the Stars and Stripes.
Bests,
John
-------------- Original message --------------
John,
I'm trying to turn a story for the weekend. Basically, the Defense spokesman I talked to this afternoon said the 9,000 number is incorrect and "To imply that we are somehow not accurately counting our service is just dreadful and absolutely incorrect."
I wanted to get your reaction to what he said and give you a chance to defend your position. Also if you have any specific proof of the 9,000 claim or more details about the story on the site, please let me know.
You can a-mail me your quotes for my story if you would like to be included in it.
Thanks,
Steve Mraz
Reporter/Photographer
Stars and Stripes
Kaiserslautern, Germany Bureau
DSN: 489-6585
Office: 0631-3709217
Cell: 0172-699-0121
----- Original Message -----
From:
vpocv@comcast.net
To: Steve Mraz
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 3:54 PM
Subject: Re: Info
Hello Steve,
Ironically, I am running around Europe at this time and plan on being back in Los Angeles in mid August. I will email you then and we can set up a contact time.
I appeciate your effort.
In the meantime, if you have any specific questions on the material in the site, don't hesitate to ask. I am checking my email regularly.
Bests,
John
-------------- Original message --------------
John,
Steve from Stars and Stripes here. Just talked to a Defense Department spokesman about the numbers. I'd like to get your take on it for an upcoming story. Can you send me a phone number I can reach you at?
Steve Mraz
Reporter/Photographer
Stars and Stripes
Kaiserslautern, Germany Bureau
DSN: 489-6585
Office: 0631-3709217
Cell: 0172-699-0121
----- Original Message -----
From: John McCarthy
To:
mrazs@mail.estripes.osd.mil
Sent: Tuesday, July 19, 2005 10:39 PM
Subject: Info
Hey Steve,
Your bosses wont let you print this info for the troops but at least you can look at it and wonder how things are really going down.
http://johnmccarthy90066.tripod.com
Bests,
John