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April 13, 2007 10:09 AM

In Imus Controversy, Stories Of Soldiers Forgotten

Posted by Brian Montopoli
(AP)
Former CBS Moscow bureau chief Beth Knobel has passed along a piece by Gregory Papadatos, an army medic. Papadatos, a sergeant, is in New York between tours; he has served in Iraq and will soon be deploying to Afghanistan.

Papadatos writes about a close friend, an active duty Army medic now in Iraq whose tour has just been extended for three months. "She got there in October of 2006 and was expecting to leave in October of '07," he writes. "Now she will be there until January of '08...unless she gets hurt before then."

Here's a little more information about Papadatos' friend:
She joined the Army with a high school diploma and no college. We left the Army's Combat Medic Course just under three years ago, and since then she has spent a year in Korea, a year and a half in Texas, and six months in Iraq. In those three years, she has earned an Associate's Degree, taking classes at night and on the weekends (and, in Iraq, online, in her spare time). She had planned to go to college - a REAL college - full-time starting in January of '08. Now she won't be back in time for the first semester of the year, so she'll have to wait for the summer or fall of '08. And - oh yes! - she enlisted, in the summer of 2003, for FOUR years, but the "Stop-Loss" policy keeps her in uniform until further notice.
Continues Papadatos:
Now, keeping all of this in mind, somebody please tell me why a deejay with a reputation for irreverence calling a basketball player a "nappy-headed ho" should leave that woman "scarred for life" (which is a direct quote from one of the Rutgers basketball players, in Wednesday's newspapers). After that, somebody please tell me why I should care about it. And THEN somebody please tell me why that one incident, which caused no bleeding or dying, is getting more radio air time than the fact that MY little buddy - along with about 100,000 of her closest friends and colleagues - has just been told she has to spend three extra months in a combat zone.
You can read more about Papadatos and other soldiers here.
Tags:
Gregory Papadatos ,
Beth Knobel ,
Army ,
Imus
Topics:
Media Issues
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Add a Comment See all 19 Comments
by fhminteer April 15, 2007 1:08 PM EDT
Geroge Bush joked about the lack of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq to these same journalists. His prime reason for the deaths of thousands and thousands of people. Where was all this moral outrage then? If we can't laugh at ourselves then we are in deep trouble. Talk about making a mountain out of a molehill.
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by luluford April 14, 2007 4:46 PM EDT
I'm with Greg. News is so sensational and without substance. Imus has been spewing racial garbage for years. Good riddance! Our country has been following Bush's misguided neo-con agenda long enough. The cost in human suffering is way to high. The time for exiting Iraq is long overdue.

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS! BRING THEM HOME NOW!
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by cbsnews29 April 14, 2007 2:58 AM EDT
Bush needs to be impeached now, and our troops need to come home, once and for all. Lets get a leader in office, and start focusing on the United States of America. All of our soldiers need the best medical care possible, when they return home, and anything less than that is just inexcuseable from our government. Bush has created problems for the United States, and for the American people. Bush has put the U.S. into an uncontrolled defecit. Bush continues to hurt the United States, with no regard for our military troops, or anyone in Congress that wants the Iraq war to end. Bush has a legacy he wants to fulfill, at the expense of the United States, and the American people.
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by cbsnews29 April 14, 2007 2:58 AM EDT
Bush needs to be impeached now, and our troops need to come home, once and for all. Lets get a leader in office, and start focusing on the United States of America. All of our soldiers need the best medical care possible, when they return home, and anything less than that is just inexcuseable from our government. Bush has created problems for the United States, and for the American people. Bush has put the U.S. into an uncontrolled defecit. Bush continues to hurt the United States, with no regard for our military troops, or anyone in Congress that wants the Iraq war to end. Bush has a legacy he wants to fulfill, at the expense of the United States, and the American people.
Reply to this comment
by cbsnews29 April 14, 2007 2:58 AM EDT
Bush needs to be impeached now, and our troops need to come home, once and for all. Lets get a leader in office, and start focusing on the United States of America. All of our soldiers need the best medical care possible, when they return home, and anything less than that is just inexcuseable from our government. Bush has created problems for the United States, and for the American people. Bush has put the U.S. into an uncontrolled defecit. Bush continues to hurt the United States, with no regard for our military troops, or anyone in Congress that wants the Iraq war to end. Bush has a legacy he wants to fulfill, at the expense of the United States, and the American people.
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by April 14, 2007 2:15 AM EDT
freedom: Your article hit sore spot. Why is it that the media does not take Bush to task for all the garbage he has fed the American People since his admittance as President. We now have learned that perhaps over 5mil e-mails may have been destroyed and bethca the results are "not by mistake or accident". The period concerned is the same period that the media was helping George W and crew establish credentials for invading Iraq. Even though the "excuses" were false - [lies if you prefer] there has been no repercussion of the acts that have caused the wrong results during this debacle. Your regard for the young person vs the body protection is just one "slip it by em" attitude the Administration has taken - what they don't know -well they just won't know. Without the media help the PEOPLE would never had known about the prior disparity in making sure all had proper facilities to enter combat activities. The answer to all of the unanswered questions lies in the willingness of Congress to initiate the Iraq Investigation. That will no doubt take investigators back to September 1997 as a beginning. Only the voices of the PEOPLE can surf enough desire in Congress to get it started
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by doc_gp April 14, 2007 12:10 AM EDT
My intent, when I sent my little essay to Ms. (Dr.) Knobel, was not to debate Imus, his remarks, or his punishment. My intent was to point out that that issue was - and still is! - getting a huge and disproportionate about of media coverage, while developments that affect the lives of dozens of thousands of Americans in military uniform are barely mentioned, if they are mentioned at all.

Let's get some perspective, here. Imus's remarks didn't kill or maim anybody. The extension of American soldiers' tours in Iraq WILL cause death and injury. Looking at it that way, which story deserves more attention and air-time?

- Greg Papadatos


PS: Just so you know - that picture isn't me.
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by April 13, 2007 11:44 PM EDT
Sarge, you got the nail square under the hammer -why is our society so set up that one issue such as the Imus two word derogation mean more on the media coverage than all the injuries - death of our troops and thousands of deaths of the innocent Iraqis --and the answer ---it sold a big continued story that the announcers could spend days going over and over and over - every TV channel has exercised their vocal chords over this ordeal which should have been announced - closed and plans to go on made in two days. Imus recognized the severity of stupidity and acknowledged that he did not direct his words to any of the girls - bad - atrocious - demeaning - but not the first occasion of impropriety of a media host - others go about daily repeating words of unwelcome sound.. Not a peep - whimper - zilch from the media managers. - Imus%u2019s wrongful act was so mishandled by management of the media that it makes wonder how management became management. To undo the Imus program, which overnight could have been a model - a catalyst of what a good early morning program should be - no %u201Ctry it again the right way%u201D. Imus has talent and talent is hard to come by.
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by freedom51-2009 April 13, 2007 8:47 PM EDT
Yes, I agree, enough about Imus! [It took us all week to find out what "those words" meant!] All this attention for Imus while American's soldiers are fighting a war and dying in Iraq. Eight American soldiers recently died, and their names weren't even mentioned!

So, CBS News, here's a story for you, Americans, and our soldiers. Something good.

Tomorrow, April 14th, a fund raiser is being held in Defuniak Springs, Florida. HELP A SOLDIER CHARITY POKER RUN. An Army Green Beret [Tim] is being deployed to Iraq, is qualified and approved by the Army to wear a better quality body armor than "standard issue." But here's the catch - it cost $5,800 - and he has to pay for it out of his own pocket. Why does this soldier want this armor so much? About two weeks before Tim's March 5 marriage, the man who was suppose to be his best man, was due to come home from Iraq but was killed by an IED. They think the fallen soldier may have survived if he had worn this better body armor, as it protects more body parts and is better quality material.

CBS News - Please get your cameras, writing paper/pens, and get on your motorcycles. Meet Tim and family and Americans who have committed to be there and help this soldier! Where: At THE OUTPOST in Freeport, Florida, 9:00 a.m., first bike out at 10:30 a.m. Let America see and hear about something good! Tim sincerely wants to come home from Iraq to his wife and children - all in one piece. Thank you.
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by revdr72741-2009 April 13, 2007 8:22 PM EDT
This "incident" has a direct bearing upon the situation you described, it's called RESPECT!! As you look at what passes for discourse in our great country, we see a lack of respect for anything and everything, from the candidates for president, to issues like this controversy concerning Imus and his show.
As a vet of the SE Asia conflict, I understand your position, as well as your wonder about something such as this, causing so much controversy, when good people are being "shafted," into the extended tours, and all the inequities foisted upon those who choose to serve this great nation in uniform, and under the flag of our country.

However, take a look at the disrespectful attitudes that are displayed during our on-air discussions concerning persons running for public office. Research the defeat of former Senator Max Cleland (D-GA) for a prime example.

When will we as a nation, return to civility in conversation, as opposed to shrill, screaming tirades, geared to bring out the worst in people? Where does one go to regain one's reputation, once it has been besmirched by false propaganda?
Again, I understand your concern for the everyday issues and realities that come with the responsibility of being a member of our armed forces, but the point should be directed to reclaiming decent and respectable means of discussion, so that our sacrifices, mine in SE Asia, and yours in Iraq/Afghanistan, will lead to a better nation, of which we all will be proud of!!
God Bless
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by averjane April 13, 2007 6:53 PM EDT
Jesus' hair was most likely wavey if he was an Israeli Jew, not African. I believe he was not African but then neither are black people who live in America. They are Americans. I don't understand why they say they are African-American. They are so far removed from their original ancestors, why do you call yourselves that? My ancestors were most likely of Portuguese descent, so am I to call myself Portugese-American? It was only maybe a hundred or two years before slavery when they began to populate the eastern shorelines through their many travels and trade routes which landed them here. As far as I ever knew, I was an American and as far as the rest of the world is concerned that is what I am. Who started this term anyway?
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by superfancy88 April 13, 2007 6:51 PM EDT
Army's media covers wars, whilst the corporate media covers, er, corporate media.

Excuse me but...journalist down!

Anything else?
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by yorkark April 13, 2007 6:46 PM EDT
Because any diversion is better then none. I thought there needed to be action taken against Imus because what he said was outragous, but this is better than a week now. Enough is enough. Concentrate on the important things, our troops in a bad war, more troops going over, corruption in our government,the give away of out country by our government, and on and on and on. Yea, enough is enough
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by sandeestill April 13, 2007 5:26 PM EDT
Don Imus should not have been fired. What happened to freedom of speech? I don't like what hea said, but rappers say much worse and it's not considered offensive. I'm a middle aged African American woman & I cringe everytime I hear a rap song using horrible words. Why is this allowed? This would not make my ancestors proud. But then we go & punish a white man for saying something not nearly offensive. "Freedom of Speech!!!!
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by mattcat25 April 13, 2007 4:39 PM EDT
The War in Iraq Costs
$416,764,213,538

The management of these two wars has not been enough to win, but just enough to maintain an indefinite continuation of military conflict.

When will it stop?
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by clarkjo1212 April 13, 2007 4:24 PM EDT
I'm a african american female, and I think Imus shouldn't have been fired. I looked at his program on TV most mornings while getting ready to head out to work, and found him most times to be amusing, his humor usually dry, but still funny at times. His comment did upset me, you can tell they didn't give it any thought at all when making those derogatory comments. I feel his apology was heart felt and sincere. Now if he didn't mean it, then he will have deal with it daily when ever he looks at himself in the mirror each morning. With my christian back ground I was taught , when you make a mistake and ask for forgiveness and ask for it in earnest,God will forgive you. So who are we not to forgive IMUS . One more thought, If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck then it's a duck. We know the LADIES from Rutgers aren't what was said about them, because they carried themselves as ladies and great atheletes...Jesus had hair like lambs wool (nappy)... as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing.
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by msquirt April 13, 2007 3:02 PM EDT
It's amazing how Some whites are feeling as though they are being treated unfair and that Rev. Sharpton and Jackson are racist and evil for demanding that Imus be fired from his job.

It's also just as amazing to hear some blacks are more forgiving and feel he should not be fired from his job when some whites say he should.

I feel that when a person says something racist or make personal remarks that can harm others, on someone else expense, they should be fired. If they own their own syndication, we should boycott them and any company that support them.

However, we still have those out there that cannot except that the world is changing and that we must respect that "equality" is for all and not just for "one" race.

Imus apology for his remarks should be accepted but not forgotton and we must realize that we still have a long way to go and not give up the fight that equality is for ALL!

We should not boycott Obama and CBS because they did not write Imus script. I read somewhere or I heard from someone when mentioned that the white race owes the black race an apology for slavery, the white man stated, "Why should we have to apologize for something that our great-great-great grandparents did."
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by anrykrkr April 13, 2007 2:29 PM EDT
The firing of Imus is just another victory for hypocrisy. Greed is what drives America's engines. Isn't that whay is all boils down to? BET, MTV and others can show show all kinds of misogyny and it never makes the news. Let's face it - the "hos" are not the Rutgers players but the CBS execs who are pimped out by their advertisers. They are "hos" for that almighty dollar!
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by fortherecord22 April 13, 2007 2:03 PM EDT
It infuriates me that Don Imus is Ostrizized, fired, and humiliated for a stupid disingenuous remark about Rutgers NCAA Players yet the advertisers Like CoCA Cola and others dont have clean hands either in Foriegn Markets.I remember Articles about murder at the hands of foriegn coca cola marketers for their brand of softdrinks in foriegn markets. It amazes me that CBS can take advertising dollars from such diabiolical people and keep a straight face firing Imus, Where is true morality in this country! Advertising dollars play up to race ,class,income level and a whole lot of false advertising just to get a product sold. Get real! The American Public is not that stupid.
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