There is a very interesting article in today's WSJ (front page left hand column) that explores why Jessica Lynch has become the media's folk hero while acts of true heroism and sacrifice in Iraq have gone underreported. The central question is this: why do we glorify victims rather than those who succeeded in their mission objectives? It is a good question and one that more of us should think about. After all, we are looking to win this war and it might be helpful if we recognize those moving that ball forward.

The article does a great job demonstrating how in WWII the country celebrated soldiers who killed a large number of the enemy (i.e., Sergeant York) and even made movies about these people. One "public relations" officer in the military said it did not even occur to him to publicize the exploits of successfull soldiers in Iraq, as he didn't think the public was comfortable with that. That guy needs to be reassigned. Please read the article as I am writing this from memory and am unable to provide the best of the quotes.

- posted by Anonymous @ 9:18 AM