Every war differs from every previous war, most commonly in the way technology influences the way in which wars are waged.
How is the war in Iraq different?
Technology has given the troops on the ground, the 'grunts' as they were called during the Vietnam era, the ability to instantaneously record their thoughts and actions for the world to see -- via blogging on the internet.
'Milblogging' as it has come to be called, has flourished from nearly the beginning of America's on-the-ground involvement. Do a Google on military blogging and you will immediately snag posts going back to 2004.
Lately, however, the powers-that-be have gotten nervous. New rules by the Army are intended to require prior censorship of all posts by a superior officer.
The rank and file, as you may suspect, are not taking this lying down.
Attempts to stifle self-expression by enlisted personnel are likely to mushroom into an enormous public relations disaster for the Administration.
Well-deserved, in my humble opinion.
Further reading --
- Milblogging.com: "Milblogging.com: 1,709 military blogs in 30 countries"
- Wired News: "Army Squeezes Soldier Blogs, Maybe to Death"
- Washington Post: "Blogs Chronicle War from Soldiers' Perspectives"
- New York Times: "Soldiers Face Punishment Over Blogs"
-- Dan Damon
CHECK OUT MY OTHER BLOGS: PLAINFIELD TODAY and C L I P S.
No comments:
Post a Comment