The Laughing Wolf

The Real

Years back, there was a huge ad campaign for a soft drink that used the catch-phrase "The Real Thing." It worked for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it built off a popular saying and belief that for every item there was a real thing, that thing being the best, the leader, etc. All else were but pitiful imitations, a poor reflection in the best tradition of Plato.

Today, I want you to go visit two real things.

First, I want you to go read Gates of Fire by the incomparable Michael Yon. To my mind, there have only been two real reporters in Iraq: the late Steven Vincent and Michael Yon. Both have lived up to, and beyond, what I was taught a real reporter, a real journalist, should be.

This post shows why, so go read it. Know also that Micheal is going to be castigated by the pitiful poseurs that fill the ranks of MSM for one action he took. By living up to his duties as a Man (not male, a Man), he commits the sin of becoming a participant rather than a dilettante pretending to be a chronicler. Growing up, I saw a noted local news photographer be attacked by more than a few of his colleagues for something similar. This photographer came across a worker at the newspaper threatening to commit suicide, gun to head. He faced a decision, and put down his camera to try and prevent the tragedy. He was roundly, soundly, and loudly castigated for so doing. His job, according to them, was to chronicle with Olympian detachment, not to do something so plebeian as to save a life. Michael Yon will be dismissed and vilified for the decision he made. For whatever it may be worth, I think both he and that long-ago photographer made the right decision, and in so doing show themselves to be the real thing.

I also hope you note the truly blood-boiling part of the story. An accounting must be demanded.

The other end of what happens can be intense as well. In looking at and thinking about what happens to those in combat, we can easily forget those that also serve by sitting and waiting. This story tells the real tale of what comes from the call. Read it. Think. Never forget.

There is a reason that Soldier's Angels is a permanent part of my sidebar. Go there, make a donation, either to support efforts such as those read above, or to Project Valour-IT.

The real thing. Michael Yon is. Soldier's Mom is. What a pity that so many in the MSM are not.

LW