War Correspondent Tribute

Marie Colvin, an American heroine, who believed it was more important to help others than to protect herself. She was a war correspondent working for The Sunday Times in Britain. She had defied Bashar’s ban on journalists in Syria and exposed herself to the known consequences. She was murdered on order of Bashar al-Assad on 22.February.2012 in Homs, Syria along with thousands of Syrians to date and thousands more to come. Marie will be buried in Syria. She will have disciples and followers with admiration and respect and the same dedication to a sense of duty. The deaths of the dedicated whom made a contribution to the betterment of society inspire those who will follow.

Members of the United States military and war correspondents, embedded or not, including photojournalists, have a sense of duty and know the risks. Each has a challenge, and it is different, but just as deadly. The military is there to protect and the other to report man’s inhumanity to man and the successes — freedom — equality of opportunity and tolerance. They both become victims not by dying, but by living with their constant companions — death, fear, terror and uncertainty.

Death strikes indiscriminately like the plague. For living in the circumstances like Homs in Syria is a plague. But the correspondent is a victim, too. Is there not the frustration of helplessness? Why does the information provided of the atrocities cause no response by the responsible to end the genocide caused by the irresponsible? What must take place before it ends? For sure the despicable actions by Russia and China, the impotency and unwillingness of the United Nations, League of Arab States, and the sixty nations and organizations that met in Tunis on 24.February.2012 to stop the massacre has already been well-documented, and there is no hope for them to make a contribution to a cessation of atrocities. They appear to be the coalition of the impotent and unwilling. For sure they do not have the sense of duty of Marie Colvin.

One should not complain and whine without offering a suggestion as a solution. The United States should not take the lead in bringing peace to Syria. Let Turkey and Saudi Arabia take the lead with their solutions and have the U.S. back them.

She knew death, an equalizer, was the only winner. The gore and stench causes one to become a survivor — to remain human and retain a moral sense. For now there is no need for her to search for the story. Marie is part of the story; she is encapsulated by it and is a victim, too. To the dedicated it is not a job; it is a crusade to disseminate accurate information and to make a difference by making a contribution to exposing the genociders, the impotent and unwilling — an appalling and disgraceful group.

She is in a Swedish Syndrome situation. The correspondent has been kidnapped by compassion and is being held captive by futility. The only weapon is the pen. And now the genociders have added another dedicated enemy to their list.

And, for Bashar al-Assad and his co-perpetrators of the genocide, what is to happen to them when their lust for murder to retain power and their continuing to deprive their people of freedom comes to an end? What is to be their fate? Is there a fate, justice if you will, which could possibly be equal to the crimes committed? I think not. Oh yes, there are the civilized among us who will want to put him on trial for war crimes, crimes against humanity and more. This of course, presupposes the perpetrators are caught, do not escape and given asylum in some other country where the coalition of the impotent and unwilling will not capture them. If tried and found guilty, what is to be the punishment? Death for genocide is not near enough — it is called leniency. So, what should it be? I would suggest whatever the imagination can conjure and for as long as possible, too.

The media, foreign correspondents, war correspondents, photojournalists in war zones must go on and continue to expose the worst of humanity. For sure there will be an ongoing and never ending cornucopia of deserving candidates.

One of my many hopes for the benefit of the oppressed and repressed people of Syria is for them to enjoy a liberal democracy, and that the U.S. is engaged in clandestine activities with any one or more of Syria’s neighbors to end the genocide by all means necessary for which we Americans would be proud.

When Syrians are murdered by Bashar’s military, why does the media use the word “killed in Syria” instead of using the words of reality or the truth — murdered in Syria? What is your opinion?

What is your thought on the contribution made by Marie Colvin and her colleagues?

Contacting me with comments and constructive criticisms with honesty and pleasantness their constant companions will always be welcomed.