UK Telegraph “journalist” Nick Meo “hits back” at his critics.
He really oughtn’t have.
Nick, there has not been enough justice done in this case. You could have taken the high road and taken your well-deserved spanking with reddened cheeks. You could have printed a clarification, admitting to your faults and some well-made points. You could have copped to the melodramatic flair with which you portrayed this traumatic event. You could have reclaimed some semblance of dignity earned through humility. No, you chose not to do that. You have chosen to wriggle again; to justify an article so self-centered that even though a good man actually did die, the title of your article is all about you.
In general terms, it’s often best that people should “stick to what they know” when writing. That’s a terribly high standard for journalists, most of whom have had no military training to speak of. But even if there are too few Ernie Pyles walking the earth – or Michael Yons, for that matter – we certainly don’t want our only reporting from the war zone to come from military public affairs officers, who after all, have a job of their own to do.
Which is why people covering important topics which they understand only dimly ought to enter into the exercise with a healthy dose of humility, making a special effort to leave behind their cherished prejudices. With his melodramatic flair for self-importance, cheeky flings at warrior haircuts, miserably poor understanding of military tactics and fire discipline, not to mention his callous indifference to the death of a soldier immediately charged with his own safety, Meo has clearly established himself as a “man” for whom an extended bit of silent introspection would serve far better than further attempts at wounded self-justification and throwing on the victim’s mantle.
So hush, now, Nicky, and run along outside to play.
The grownups are talking.
“So hush, now, Nicky, and run along outside to play.
The grownups are talking.”
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Can I quote you sir? heh!!
Paul
Nick Meo… I’ll never forget his name; the guy that couldn’t even help two wounded compadres (and I use the term loosly) free themselves from harnesses from which they were hanging upside down in a vehicle under fire.
“I would never take you into combat with me; you’re a liability. I’ve seen men like you, and they’re not welcome in groups of tried and tested men. You are a liar, a slanderer, and a coward. I detest you, all that you stand for, and all who stand with you. I am only one man, but I am a man who knows what it is truly like. I recognize you because of that; and if you are wrapped in a flag, it is the bullshit flag. ”
The writer might think “he is only one man” but there are many more amoung us that feel the same way.
Good luck with the next gig Meo… Maybe dog shows would be the best alternative. I guarantee that no one in the U.S. military will take you under their wing again.
I don’t comment here very often anymore but… this REALLY got under my skin.
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 10/27/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
What really got me in that self serving piece of whiny-ass crap was the statement that film of a bombing aftermath is rare.
Yes it is, you wanker. Because no one should be taking pictures or video of wounded, dead or dying soldiers.
It’s called respect. Something Nick Meo wants but won’t give.
Git.
The thing is, I watched his video and I don’t remember hearing ‘thousands of rounds’ being sent downrange indiscriminately.
Granted, I’ve never been in a firefight situation like that – so who knows, maybe I would have soiled myself, too. But I’d like to think that I wouldn’t exaggerate the situation and then sneak out on the medivac.
Tool.
I would guess that Nick figured no one would argue with a guy who works for an organization that buys printing ink by the barrel.
Wake up and smell the coffee Nicky baby. Nowadays all one needs is space on a rented server and some bandwidth. Blogs and their posts are judged by their number the “hits” and the quality of their “comments”.
JERK!
I just saw at the Corner that Dean Barnett has died. He was one of the best, most perceptive writers on the web– and a genuinely good guy. RIP. The good die young and the Nick Meo’s seem to last forever. A funny old world…
“Measured” caustic comments duly forwarded to Nick and his employer. May the cowardly little bitch rot in hell…