July 28, 2011

The Marlboro Marine: 2004 and Today

marlboromarinebysinco.jpg

This just in from the intelligent, insightful and marvelous "Iconic Photos," a look at one of the most striking photos of the Iraq war: The Marlboro Marine

The dirt-smeared, battle-weary face with a cigarette languidly dangling from the lips belonged to Lance Corporal James Blake Miller, who would be quickly dubbed "The Marlboro Man" or "Marlboro Marine".

The photo was taken by Luis Sinco of Los Angeles Times on 10 November, 2004; Miller told the intruding photographer, "If you want to write something, tell Marlboro I'm down to four packs, and I'm here in Fallujah till who knows when. Maybe they can send some. And they can bring down the price a bit." The photo was depicted on the cover of more than 150 newspapers and magazines, including the New York Post, whose headline read, "Marlboro Men kick butt in Fallujah." ...

Because of his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, Miller is now separated from his wife and family and currently lives alone. He is unable to discuss certain things that happened in Fallujah. Read Sinco's touching tribute to Miller here.

The reaction from the feeble Eloi at the time was best summed up by the excrable Naomi Klein in Smoking while Iraq burns:
For a country that just elected a wannabe Marlboro man as its president, Miller is an icon and, as if to prove it, he has ignited his very own controversy. "Lots of children, particularly boys, play army, and like to imitate this young man. The clear message of the photo is that the way to relax after a battle is with a cigarette," wrote Daniel Maloney in a scolding letter to the Houston Chronicle. Linda Ortman made the same point to the editors of the Dallas Morning News: "Are there no photos of non-smoking soldiers?" A reader of the New York Post helpfully suggested more politically correct propaganda imagery: "Maybe showing a marine in a tank, helping another GI or drinking water would have a more positive impact on your readers."
Fretting always about tobacco because their minds are both empty and colonized. Shameful and disgusting people, really.

Posted by Vanderleun at July 28, 2011 11:41 AM
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"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Klein is the same sort peck-sniff as the women who complained about the lewdness of the painted images gracing the noses of WWII bombers. Draft her to the front lines of Fallujah and have her scold a Marine regarding what a poor role model he is to his face.

What a bufoon.

Posted by: westsoundmodern at July 28, 2011 12:59 PM

At least she claims it is about the kids. I was waiting for the "smoking is bad for your health" line, which would be a more typical argument. How stupid are these people? Never mind, I know the answer.

Posted by: Sara (Pal2Pal) at July 28, 2011 1:05 PM

Nicotine is a necessary ingredient in gruntworld, but most of us dip.

Posted by: Casca at July 28, 2011 1:42 PM

That author (Sinco) is worth more than the L.A. Times.

Posted by: StephenB at July 28, 2011 2:14 PM

"Maybe showing a marine in a tank, helping another GI or drinking water would have a more positive impact on your readers."

I'd rather see a Marine in a tank engaging bad guys with the main gun. Send that sucker downrange and, man, things happen.

But perhaps that's just me.

Posted by: Brian Dunbar at July 28, 2011 2:45 PM

Maybe showing Klein what her life would look like under Islamofascism would shut her up.

Posted by: RedCarolina at July 28, 2011 2:57 PM

Nope Red, when actually confronted, she'll acquiesce while wetting her panties. Next photo will show her in a burkah.

Posted by: Peccable at July 28, 2011 4:03 PM

Nicotine also dulls hunger pangs -- *that* is a big reason you want a cig after a 12-hour firefight...

Posted by: BillT at July 28, 2011 4:19 PM

Why don't these knuckleheads just shut up and let folks enjoy things. Why get their panties in wads over stuff like this? I'm surprised they didn't complain that being dirty presented a poor example to the young 'uns.

Which brings me around to:
Why the increase in PTSD?
Big part: Stress (duh).
In the combat theaters, some of the things that relieve stress (at least temporarily) are highly discouraged or punishable under the UCMJ --
Cigarettes
Getting Drunk
Getting Laid.

So, you take the stress diffusers away, and you'll likely see fewer stress-induced problems.

Posted by: OldFert at July 28, 2011 5:23 PM

I'm with Oldfert. Likker, whores and cigs(I don't even smoke) should be readily available to everyone in combat.Speakin' of paying for sex, what did Tiger have to pay for every time he had Erin?

Posted by: ck at July 28, 2011 6:03 PM

I don't remember who said it but you don't pay a hooker for sex. You pay her to leave after the sex.

Posted by: arcs at July 29, 2011 6:54 AM

"I don't remember who said it but you don't pay a hooker for sex. You pay her to leave after the sex."

I guess who said it was someone who always uses his own hotel room for assignations. Didn't work out for DS-K though, did it?

Posted by: Frank P at July 29, 2011 4:14 PM

These frickin people are unbelievable! Why not a picture of a Hippy painting a protest sign? Why not a penguin shining his shoes? Why not a Cadillac with wire wheels?
Because this is a picture of the real world, thats why!!! Get off the island of Manhatten some time!!!!

Posted by: Walmartphilodendren at July 29, 2011 6:17 PM

"Are there no photos of non-smoking soldiers?"

Are there no photos of non-breathing liberals?

Posted by: Former Lurker at July 30, 2011 6:28 AM

How some pictures of soldiers holding a sign saying "bush lied, people died". Or soldiers voting for Obama? Or soldiers performing late term abortions, or eating arugula?

Posted by: Forkemall at July 30, 2011 9:59 AM

How some pictures of soldiers holding a sign saying "bush lied, people died". Or soldiers voting for Obama? Or soldiers performing late term abortions, or eating arugula?

Posted by: Forkemall at July 30, 2011 9:59 AM

How some pictures of soldiers holding a sign saying "bush lied, people died". Or soldiers voting for Obama? Or soldiers performing late term abortions, or eating arugula?

Posted by: Forkemall at July 30, 2011 10:00 AM

The article seems to assume that this was a great upstanding guy who went to war, got messed up, and then was a jerk.

Maybe he was not the type who was easy to get along with and faithful to his wife before the war. How do they know?

Does every man who avoids combat act like a perfect saint?

Posted by: Marie at July 31, 2011 8:12 PM

Can't Understand Normal Thinking

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