Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/02/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi, Marc - Long time no "discuss." The point here is what some of us see as the inappropriateness of a government awarding what are widely perceived as military decorations to independent journalists who were reporting on, not participating, in a war. If these journalists want something to show off when their neighbors display their ribbons, they can display their clips. Cheers B. D. - -----Original Message----- From: owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us [mailto:owner-leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us] On Behalf Of Marc James Small Sent: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 11:43 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: RE: [Leica] Embedded Brit journalists will receive IraqCampaignmedal At 11:22 AM 2/24/04 -0500, B. D. Colen wrote: >Right...That's what I thought...My point was that I find it >inappropriate for independent journalists - which I'm sure you were and >are - to receive medals from any government - u BD A campaign ribbon is not a an award for performance -- it is simply a statement that the recipient was there. My father received three decorations in the Second World War for such -- the American Defense Service Medal. the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal -- and all but one of mine were similar (the National Defense Service Medal (for being in a Reserve unit during the first Iraq War), the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (two awards, each one for ten years of duty in the Reserves), the Army Reserve Commendation Medal (four awards, each one for four years of duty in a Reserve Component unit), and the Army Service Ribbon (for completing my Basic Officer Course -- they don't give you credit for attendng other courses, though I ended up with two Basic Courses to my credit) Only my Army Commendation Medal was for solid service. For a journalist who was present to accept a recognition that he was present hardly compromises his neutrality. It simply states that he was there. And, in the UK, everyone wears their decorations on appropriate holidays, so this gives the journalists something to wear when their neighbors are flaunting valour decorations from the Falklands and the like. Marc msmall@infionline.net FAX: +540/343-7315 Cha robh bąs fir gun ghrąs fir! - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html