Jessica Lynch vs Shoshana Johnson

I, personally, think that they went too far with all the hype over Jessica. I totally agree that she has suffered terrible injuries and will have troubles for the rest of her life, but I am also sure that there are many men who have endured the same. However, they are using her as a "hero" to be in the limelight. If they are going to tell one story, they should tell them all. What about the people who saved her? What are their names?

You are so right KarmaGirl. The true heros, the guys that saved her, refused to release their names. They just see their acts as what a soldier does. You never leave your own behind whether they are alive or not (they also brought back the bodies of the others that were buried near the hospital where they found Jessica).

I don't think the whole hype over Jessica is right. I just don't think it has anything to do with race. It has to do with sensationalism and made-for-TV movies. Good old Hollywood!

well, she is the first pow rescued from an enemy since world war ii.

the only reason this is all going on is the situation over in iraq is not something that people like at all
its in the best interest to make up nice happy stories about some down home 19 year old blonde girl who gets "rescued" from a "hostile" location.

"The true heros, the guys that saved her, refused to release their names."

Spec ops was bored.
Spec ops went on a preplanned "rescue mission"
Active spec ops don't give out their names.
Ever.

WSJ.com has a good article called "Why you've heard of Jessica Lynch not Zan Hornbuckle."

russellmz2, where did you get your info? There weren't any POWs rescued in Vietnam or Korea?

My only question, why not give both the same amount of money for disability?

Rodriguez, disability is based on the extent of the injury. Would you give someone with a sprained ankle the same amount of disability as someone who is quadraplegic? That is the exaggerated form of this case. Shoshana walked out of Iraq and Jessica is still not walking. Her bladder and bowels are quite likely permanently paralyzed. Her medical care will be vastly more costly. Even if Shoshana had to have both ankles replaced (not even sure they do that but I know they do hips and knees) it still wouldn't compare.

I too have seen those who have attempted to create "racial panic" by the claim of disparity of the disability pay/benefits of both Lynch & Johnson. Last I checked, one must be discharged in order to receive disability pay. It appears that Johnson is very much active duty. As long as she is, she is not allowed to receive pay for book deals, etc. Is she the only African-American woman who has been a POW.... if so she holds a distinction that the Army is probably still wondering how to handle. Only time will tell.

I think that the United States Army should give both women the same amount of money for their disabilities. Although Johnson has not been diagnosed with such things as Lynch, however she has to deal with all the emotions of being captured and raped. Thoes things just don't disappear over night. I'm sure it's been traumatizing for both women, I just feel the Army should give them equal treatment. There is still one thing I want to know where are Ms. Johnson's movie, cover stories on Time, book deals, and other numerous things that Lynch has received? Does anyone care about Shoshanas' story? She was willing to die her country. Where is the love?

dbullitt, where did you get that Johnson was raped? According to all info I have read, her captors gave them blankets and fed them well. As for paying someone for their emotional trauma, you would have to pay every single person that has ever gone to war. Are you saying that is a reasonable thing to do?

BTW, it is Lynch that the speculation about rape was discussed with.

I think people do car about Shoshana's story but she was part of a group of captive soldiers. Her story isn't as unique. Lynch was a POW MIA rescued from her captors, on the brink of death. She is "Ms small town USA" who survived a big ordeal in order to serve her country. Mind you, I don't think that the media blitz that has transpired is appropriate. I think a news bit and a book (for those interested) would have been enough.

lynch was the first since pow rescued since wwii:
bunch of google links to articles

fun fact: this article is the number 3 or 4 result.

russellmz2, thanks! This sparked some interesting conversations. Makes sense when you think about it.

The passage below was taken from "The Guardian Unlimited" story dated Thursday, May 15, 2003. You can read the ENTIRE story for yourself by going here....http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,956255,00.html

"We gave her three bottles of blood, two of them from the medical staff because there was no blood at this time,"said Dr Harith al-Houssona, who looked after her throughout her ordeal. "I examined her, I saw she had a broken arm, a broken thigh and a dislocated ankle. Then I did another examination. There was no [sign of] shooting, no bullet inside her body, no stab wound - only RTA, road traffic accident," he recalled. "They want to distort the picture. I don't know why they think there is some benefit in saying she has a bullet injury."

This was taken from BBC News World Edition and can be found here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/correspondent/3028585.stm

"I examined her, I saw she had a broken arm, a broken thigh and a dislocated ankle," said Dr Harith a-Houssona, who looked after her.

Does it not seem funny to some, if not all, that out of the blue, Jessica can remember SOME of what happened to her? Now that her book is out, all of a sudden she remebers being raped? Then again, SHE doesn't remember, that is what she was told:

In her first interview about what happened to her, the former prisoner-of-war told ABC television that medical reports indicated that she had been raped. (Taken from the BBC News World Edition dated Nov. 7, 2003 - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3251731.stm)

All of a sudden she remembers "fighting until the death"?

"...told reporter Diane Sawyer her gun jammed and in desperation she prayed to God to help her.

Later, in an Iraqi hospital, she said local doctors treated her despite a scarcity of drugs and threats from Saddam Hussein's fedayeen henchmen.

She also said she remembers an Iraqi nurse singing to her.

"It was a pretty song and I [could] sleep," she told Ms Sawyer.

Previously it has been reported that she remembered little of her ordeal." (Taken from the BBC News World Edition dated Nov. 6, 2003 - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3248021.stm)

Which one is it???? Come no now folks, let's WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

What we need to remember is this, AMERICA, as great a country as it is, will feed to the public what it wants us to know/hear/read/see. It is imperative that everyone take an individual responsibility to educate him/herself about what is REALLY going on. For months, the US led us to believe that Sadaam was a DEFINITIVE threat to our safety/well being. That is all we read/heard/saw/etc., from our MAJOR news outlets. While other countries, other minor/underground news outlets were trying to get us to see that what we were being fed was political spin.

Plain and simple, Jessica Lynch, just like Shoshana Johnson was over there doing her job. If we are going to recognize one for being the first POW since WWII, then we need to recognize the other for being the first African-American FEMALE POW in our history - PERIOD!

Remember "Wag The Dog"? That movie is not as far-fetched as we would like to believe.

For more info on the Jessica Lynch Hype - http://www.unknownnews.net/lynch.html

When did she ever say she remembered being raped or shooting anyone? I guess we didn't watch the same interview with Diane Sawyer because the one I watched had Jessica say things exactly the way she had always reported. As far as the rape was concerned, not only does Jessica not "all of the sudden remember" it, she doesn't believe it happened even though US doctors suspect it may have happened. Their evidence is damge to her parianal area and the fact that her bloody body armor and clothing were found in a building quite a distance from the crash. One of the reasons there is skepticism is that the Iraqis may have stolen her clothes as a souvenir and she may have recieved the injuries during the crash. The Iraqi doctors said that they didn't examine her for rape. Their only concern was treating her life threatening injuries.

Also, Jessica isn't the first POW since WWII. Don't you know POWs from Vietnam? I do. The difference is, Jessica was rescued from her captors. The other POWs, including Shoshana Johnson, were turned over to the US. There is a difference.

I agree with you that we have a responsibility to educate ourselves. I am finding blogs very helpful in this endeavor.

No matter how you look at it, the fack of the matter is that they both were captured and they both endured the psyciological toture of being a prisoner. for someone to hold your life in your hands (especialy the enemy), it is a scary thought. as far as the media attention, they both should have gotten it. They should have been on Dateline and all of those other news specials togther. On the Disability issue, Lynch recieved 80%, not to mention the extra money given to her on the side, while Johnson only recieved 30%. if you are not going to give them both 80%, then shown Johnson a little appreciation by boosting that percentage number. No matter how you put it, they both endured alot, so make sure they are both taken care of.

The Army doesn't give Jessica any money on the side. The 80% vs 30% is strictly following military procedure. Jessica has a spinal injury that has paralyzed her bladder and bowels (most likely permanently). Her left foot is crushed to the point of being numb all the time. She has pins and plates in her legs and back. She is 19 and moves like an 80yr old.

Shoshana was shot in both ankles. She was able to walk when returning from Iraq. I am sure she will suffer psychological trauma the rest of her life just as so many war veterans do. The fact of the matter is, we can't afford, and shouldn't pay everyone the same amount of disability. That is why there are procedures implemented. There have to be guidelines.

I agree that they both endured a lot while in service for our country. I agree that the should both be taken care of. I am not even saying that I am personally more interested in what happened to Jessica vs what happened to Shoshana. I am just saying I agree with the way the military is handling their disability. I am saying that the difference is not due to race.

If people want the TV stations to cover Shoshana's story, they should call, write or email. They will certainly do it if it means enough people will watch.

Of cousre they will not make Lynch's extra finainces public but dont rule it out. iam not a racist but i believe that the "White Media" promotes their heroes to the extreme. i dont put no blame on Lynch for all of the attention, but what you should do for one you should do for all as far as the media goes for telling the stories of soldiers in combat. iam quite sure you are a wise indivdual Joe User. i think you know as well as everyone else in this county knows that the military does play favorates. as far as people wanting to here the Shoshana Johnson story, people shouldnt have to go through all of that, the media's job is to get inportant information out to the public no matter requested or not.

I believe that the military is going way overboard with the issue. Lynch was given a Purple Heart Medal. She was not the only POW. I believe if she gets a PHM so should the other POW's. They all risked their lives and some even died. I don't have a problem with Lynch being given 80% disability vs Johnson's 30%, but I do have a problem knowing that Johnson is not recognized for anything. I once had a commander who served in Vienam when he was 18. The man just received his Purple Heart Medal 3 years ago and he cried like a baby. He pulled his comrades to safety. What did Lynch do? She curled up in a ball and prayed? Never mind that she was taught SPORTS (all you military people know what that is) to unjam her weapon. Can we be reasonable here? Fair is fair. My opinion is that she did nothing to deserve such a distinguished award. We are taught to avoid capture at all costs and that if we are captured then we do not give any info whatsoever. I don't see that she avoided capture. She still had rounds in her M16 which means that she did not apply SPORTS and she did not try to avoid capture. And if her weapon was jammed what about taking the weapon of a fallen soldier near her to fire? What about the grenades that I am sure she was issued?

julygem13, I did a search about the Purple Heart and it looks like the criteria to recieve this medal changed in 1988 to include "any soldier killed or wounded in the service of their country". Shoshana Johnson recieved the same medals as Jessica Lynch (Bronze Star, Purple Heart and POW).

JillUser, what is this a prizefight? Welcome to Caesar’s Palace! Tonight’s bill: Jessica vs. Shoshana! 12 rounds of boxing. Winner takes all! Let's Get Ready to RUUUUUMMMMBBBLLLE! This is ridiculous! Why is Jessica receiving more benefits than Shoshana? Could it be racially motivated? Well it wouldn’t be a stretch if it were given our country’s sterling record on race relations. But why are we even arguing over this? Both women were in mortal danger and for you to be so dismissive of one woman's injuries over another I think is tacky.

"Oh Jessica has no spine left, her eyes fell out, she can only speak in broken Arabic, her arms were reattached on backward, her skin exploded and she can't taste anything with hot sauce on it and by the way the other girl has some leg problems and has bad dreams"

Have you ever been shot in both legs? I haven't been shot in one so I can't imagine that being fun! And I love the way you throw the "...depression as a result of torture." thing in at the end. I don't know about you but being sent in harm's way by your commander, getting attacked, having friends and co-workers shot and killed, then you being shot and on top of all that you’re taken prisoner and held captive by the enemy thousands of miles from home. That sounds like it would leave some permanent damage to me.

I worked for a company located in New York City on the corner of Broadway and Vessey Street. Now 'round bout September 11, 2001 I was working at my desk when I heard a boom. My co-worker ran into my office and told me that a plane just rammed into Tower 1 of the World Trade Center. We all rushed outside and looked up. My office just happened to be across the street from the World Trade Center. We stood there in shock for about 10 minutes when out of the blue WHAM! Another plane! Now I was not hit by falling debris. I was not burned. I did watch people jump to their deaths and I did have to run for my life and hide in a newsstand with a very distraught Pakistani man when Tower 2 collapsed. Now I don't think I deserve any compensation like the victims or their families but don't ever be dismissive of anyone's experience. I still dream about that day. And about the foot still left in its loafer they found in front of my office's front door.

The point I’m trying to make is why is it in America, it has to be one way or another? My way or your way? It has to be Jessica’s story or Shoshana’s story. It has to be the white girl or the black girl. Shoshana was the first African-American female POW. That is at least an interesting story. Why not celebrate both women. Injuries are something tangible, yes this women is in much worse shape than the other but I say compensate them both 100%. All soldiers should be compensated 100%. Whether it’s a paper cut or an amputation. They went to war was hurt in the line of duty and now they have to live with the situation permanently. Or better yet, why not use this incident to show the stupidity of this conflict and get all of our kids the hell outta there! At last count I think there were over 520 deaths and thousands of injuries. Are all of those soldiers getting book deals and interviews on GMA or the Today Show? Guess we learned nothing from Vietnam.

I fell that the situation can be said to be racist. How can you or anyone else say that Jessica suffered more when there is no account of what happened to her? I think that Shoshana should recieve the same publicity as Jessica. Just because Jessica was the only survivor of her group, doesnt make her a hero.

When I first heard of our service men and women who were reported as captured and missing. My heart went out equally to them all. I prayed and asked God to keep his hand on each and every one of them without the slightest thought of their color sex, or if they were from the north, south, east, or west.
The news media is always looking for someone to make a hero. Maybe it is the news media that we should all be saying a prayer for.

This sounds good and logical but the true be told is that media attention influences public opinion and managerial action. The Army made a hero out of Lynch even though she later disclaimed that title. They felt compelled to give her a disability allowance fit for a hero. She should get the 80% disability and even more for what she's been through. Johnson's story was in the noise. Most people don't know about her medical difficulties because the media didn’t cover them to the extent that they covered Lynch's troubles. So how could the public (you) claim that Johnson deserves less disability than Lynch? Indeed your comments made here are made based on what you have heard or read about the differences between the two cases. What you know primarily came from the coverage of the two stories in the media and in this chat room. Because there wasn’t equal coverage of the two stories, your answer seems logical and considerate. But is it? Would your feelings have changed if there had been equal coverage of the two stories? Would your feelings have changed if you could identify with Shoshana as she recovered from her injuries even though we know on the surface the difference between their injuries seem unparalleled?

Finally, would you think you were being treated fairly if you where in Shoshana Johnson's position? I dare say you wouldn't and, if you were black, you might wonder was race a factor in the Army's decision to award you a lower disability settlement.

Anyway you slice this story, it still reeks of favoritisms toward Lynch. Shoshanna should get the same treatment from the military. Public opinion in book deals, appearances, and American generosity will continue to compensate these two individuals for the rest of their lives. The Army could have avoided the scrutiny of the public by being impartial.

Tj, I sympathize with Shoshana. As I said early on, I originally questioned if the discrepancy was becasue of racial reasons. You don't need a lot of info to know that you "saw" Shoshana walking as she returned from Iraq. You merely need to see how Jessica moves like an 80yr old now to know some extent of her injuries. The doctors reports say her bladder and bowels are paralyzed. If you are so into sympathizing, can you imagine that?

I am in no way excusing the way the media covered things. I stick to my guns however, that the military, in regards to awarding disability and medals have been fair. I think Shoshana was probably much more traumatized than Jessica since she was painfully aware of everything happening to her and around her the entire time. The same holds true for her fellow POWs. Noone can measure emotional pain though.

I feel I can say what I said because I didn't rely on just the media coverage. I read about everything I could find regarding, militarty policy, interviews regarding both ladies, history of POWs, etc. I wrote what I did because I had the same knee jerk reaction that many have had regarding this...it must be racial. I educated myself on the subject and now say it is not.

The way I see it, you can either take the knee jerk, bleeding heart reaction, or you can get all of the information and try to make an educated, impartial opinion. It is always easy to sit back and say what should have been done.