Comments for Bullshit Bob at http://www.michaelyon-online.com , comment 1 to 150 out of 20 comments http://www.michaelyon-online.com Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:48:46 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21277 Mike, I would ask that someone gets the message out. I know i am 'preaching to the converted' on this site but here goes. We live in a democracy and each of us has the very sacred right to dissent from the views of our government. I respect that right and those of our community who dissagree with the war to do so. However, our governments, rightly or not have committed our forces to do battle in a hostile and unforgiving environment. Our forces have stepped up to the challenge and are carrying out the instructions of our legislature, it is what they do, and they do it superbly. I would ask everyone therefore to remember that disgreeing with the political choice is entirely different from giving support to our troops who are living, fighting and dying in extreme circumstances. Those safely tucked up at home should remember that whilst they relax in safety..... Rant over!! - Rich45 Mon, 19 Oct 2009 23:00:13 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21216 Flesh, It doesn't seem right that you should have the last word, when it's the wrong one! Maybe you haven't read all the posts in this string, but if you had you would have seen that Maj Paul Smyth is NOT the Major referred to by Michael. Paul Smyth was not in Afg when Michael was there. If you want to know the name of the man in question, check out http://defenceoftherealm.blogs...names.html . Believe me, I know! - Onyerbike Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:15:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21075 Major Paul Smyth, from "UK Forces Media Ops". Here's his blog: http://helmandblog.blogspot.com/ I know that he's supposed to have rotated home, but maybe some pointed comments on the above blog are still warranted? ;) - Flesh Thu, 08 Oct 2009 06:50:27 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21032 Any large organization has incompetent people in places they shouldn't be, whether it's a bureaucracy, military, corporation or whatever. One should do the best they can and move on past it, as Michael could have done. Michael's piece does lean towards being a rant due to its length and general tone of being PO'd; sometimes that happens. Now we have all expended so much time on this, with just an occasional regard to what truly matters---- the war itself and the cost in human suffering that it brings about as our societies strive to be civil within the ancient tribes that are bent on warfare influenced by terrorists. How goes the war, and where/when/how will it end? May the direct and great reporting continue. Thank you for that, Michael Yon. - Faseed Sun, 04 Oct 2009 09:30:23 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21022 I live in Cyprus and socialise & meet many of the lads who are regularly going and coming back from Stan. 2RRf and 2PWRR being just some of them. many I have spoken to feel let down and cheated by the Government, Micheal is providing a mouth-piece for these brave lads. They know the Government are dragging thier heals, but they just get on with their jobs, as one put it (were just doing what were paid to do) but the lack of support is demoralising. Thank God for these lads, helping keep us safe & free enough to be able to even reply on here. - Ojays Sat, 03 Oct 2009 08:19:58 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21003 We vote with our wallets, Matt, as there are no other reliable sources of information as to how this war is actually progressing, and as to how our Troops are being supported by their respective governments. It is certainly not a childish rant...frustrated, angry, but righteous. The Troops and their families certainly appreciate the work he's doing, as do the rest of us here. - Uncle Jefe Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:46:54 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21002 While I like Michael's writing and his perspective... it comes off as a bit of a childish rant. Also, he claims to be working for the people... did anyone here vote for him to go there? - Matt Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:38:44 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-21001 Last week Michael posted a highly critical piece on the ending of his embed with Task Force Helmand (TFH). This attracted a large number of posts from outraged readers supportive of Michael. I undertook to investigate what had happened. I have now done so. I know that some readers will not be sympathetic to the MOD's position on a matter such as this. But I would be grateful if you would hear me out. It is clear that there has been a (to quote Michael) "Texas-sized" misunderstanding here, made worse by various other factors, and I apologise for any part that MOD has played in that. But there are a few important points that I would like to make: Michael's embed is the longest of any person this year by quite some way. Most embeds are for between one and two weeks. And demand for embeds with TFH always exceeds our capacity to supply. I wish that were not the case. But it is. Despite this, we have facilitated 136 media visits to TFH since January this year. On average there were about three people per visit, which means that some 400 media people have visited TFH over the first nine months of this year. Michael's embed ended because the media ops team needed to assist a number of visits by other journalists, including a package from Northern Ireland regional newspapers (home ground for 19 Brigade), reporters from The Times and Independent, a BBC TV crew, a documentary team and a team from PA. Capacity is limited. I can understand that this may have looked different to Michael. But it was the reason that the embed ended when it did. Hence the Defence Secretary's reply to Anne Winterton. Last, and most importantly, while we take a number of factors into account in deciding who to embed and when (when an individual was last embedded, when his/her organisation was, readership), a demand for positive coverage is not among them. We believe that the efforts of our forces in theatre will speak for themselves. Of course we hope for balance - and by and large we get that. We have certainly never had an issue with Michael's reporting. Clearly something appears to have gone seriously wrong in this case. But everyone in theatre is working under huge pressure which will sometimes generate friction and, as I said, I am sorry if Michael felt he was not being treated as he should be. I am assured that the media ops team in theatre worked hard to support him. It is a shame that the experience should have ended on a sour note. I hope Michael will find the time to drop in for a chat about how we go forward from here when he is next in London. - Nick Gurr Fri, 02 Oct 2009 02:15:04 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20985 In my opinion you do a disservice to the British fighting soldier, and the Afgan war effort, by not naming the British Media Ops Major that personifies bad leadership, and bad soldiering. These people only exist and flourish when they are not held accountable out by name. They love being anonymous. Bad behavior and bad leadership must be ruthlessly called out in this War if there is to be any chance in winning it. Thanks for your reporting!! - Larry M Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:20:20 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20982 I'm confused, why wouldn't they want more helicopters? I'm assuming the powers that be told someone further up that they needed some number of helicopters. When that number turned out to be short did they not want to admit their own miscalculation and ask for more? Or is it a question of keeping troop levels down? With each helicopter comes a large number of troopers...mechanics, pilots, fuelers the list goes on, would that increase in personnell look like a huge spike in combat troops? Perhaps that's what they're trying to avoid? Just some thoughts. - chrisG Thu, 01 Oct 2009 07:48:47 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20938 I compared the report from Michael and the one on the MOD web site about the action on Pharmacy Rd, which led up to this current story and the unembedding of Michael Yon. Apart from the title and a couple of common points mentioned I had a great deal of difficulty of believing it was the same incident. Where are the British press don't see many if any stories of the calibre and depth of Michael Yon keep it up. - DCharnley Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:47:52 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20936 Sadly, none of this surprises me. This is the way US military public affairs and media relations operated through the Vietnam era and well into the 1990s. Deception, manipulation and cynicism were the norm rather than the exception. Someone somewhere decided to change that, and the US military is much better in this department than they once were, but they still have a long way to go. It's just simple common sense: in the modern era, military operations are transparent, whether the military leadership wants them to be or not. You can either get on board the train or you can be left standing in the mud and dust of guys like Michael Yon. Thanks Michael, for not sparing any of your contempt for these people, who are a disgrace to the uniform they wear and the men they supposedly lead. - Charles Glenn Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:45:40 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20902 With all due respect, Ma'am, you wrote: "You may feel that you witnessed an act of BULLYING. In fact the only sensibilities wounded by this exchange will have been your own." Uhh, No, Ma'am. Bullying is a direct attack on a person. Mike described no such scene, or act of bullying. Here's what he did say with my emphasis added in hopes you will read it this time: "A British soldier ran BY wearing a rucksack. He was drenched in sweat under the blazing, dusty desert. I smiled because it’s great to see so many soldiers who work and train hard. Yet the Major cut fun at the soldier, SAYING -- [not telling him] -- he was dumb to be running in that heat. I nearly growled at the Major, but instead asked if he ever goes into combat. The answer was no. And, in fact, the Major does not leave the safety of Camp Bastion. "That a military officer would SHARE a foul word about a combat soldier who was prepping for battle was offensive. Especially an officer who lives in an air-conditioned tent... "This very Major had earned a FOUL REPUTATION among his own kind for spending too much time on his FACEBOOK page. I PERSONALLY him being gratuitously RUDE to correspondents. If the Maj. had spoken directly to the soldier I'm sure Mike would have said so. Instead all of his words are consistent with the Maj. having made these offensive remarks to Mike, not to the soldier. As for your imaginings that this sterling officer would have been out on ops if only he could have, is that what he tells you? - NewsShooter Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:33:06 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20901 This dead horse has been kicked enough.... Check out what this major is saying on Steven Pressfield's blog: http://blog.stevenpressfield.com/2009/09/one-tribe-at-a-time-1/ - ASTAN Deployed Marine's Dad Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:36:05 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20899 Dear Sir, Your poor taste and lack of honor speak for themselves. I need have no further discourse with you. Mr Yon may have deleted the posts because they were rude or obnoxious. Either way, he owns the blog and is free to edit as he sees fit. If you take a moment to remove your head from your posterior and READ what I wrote you would see that I was agreeing with you and complimenting you. However in light of your rather rancid posting I recant my testimony as to your worthiness. Your attitude clearly shows you are indeed a self important REMF. - Sandman Zulu 9 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:42:48 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20898 To Light Infantry in Kunar or the Media Ops Major (wink wink) Your quote: “I have to say that our time here in Afhganistan to make a positive change is being decreased due to many media reports going back home.” Your time there to make a change is being decreased by the media…….the media is not your problem. I guess the media has been carpet bombing you since 2001. I guess the media is doing ambushes against you guys. I guess the media has got you guys off of your game. I guess the media stop the funding for military equipment. Below is a little time line of just how long WE have been at this…..and there is VERY little to show for it considering the amount of TIME (2001-present). People don’t believe what the military media or the governments are saying because they had been saying the same thing for years. War in Afghanistan (2001–present) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The War in Afghanistan, which began on October 7, 2001 as the U.S. military's Operation Enduring Freedom and the British military's Operation Herrick were launched in response to the September 11 attacks. The stated aim of the invasion was to find Osama bin Laden and other high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and put them on trial, to destroy the whole organization of Al-Qaeda, and to remove the Taliban regime which supported and gave safe harbor to Al-Qaeda. The United States' Bush Doctrine stated that, as policy, it would not distinguish between terrorist organisations and nations or governments that harbor them. Two military operations in Afghanistan are fighting for control over the country. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is a United States combat operation involving some coalition partners and currently operating primarily in the eastern and southern parts of the country along the Pakistan border. Approximately 28,300 U.S. troops are in OEF.[4][6][7] The second operation is the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which was established by the UN Security Council at the end of December 2001 to secure Kabul and the surrounding areas. NATO assumed control of ISAF in 2003. By July 23, 2009, ISAF had around 64,500 troops from 42 countries, with NATO members providing the core of the force. The United States has approximately 29,950 troops in ISAF.[4] The U.S. and the UK led the aerial bombing campaign, with ground forces supplied primarily by the Afghan Northern Alliance. In 2002, American, British and Canadian infantry were committed, along with special forces from several allied nations including Australia. Later, NATO troops were added. The initial attack removed the Taliban from power, but Taliban forces have since regained some strength.[25] The war has been less successful in achieving the goal of restricting al-Qaeda's movement than anticipated.[26] Since 2006, Afghanistan has seen threats to its stability from increased Taliban-led insurgent activity, record-high levels of illegal drug production,[27][28] and a fragile government with limited control outside of Kabul.[29] I guess you think the above is all the media's fault for reporting what they see! Here are a few reports within this month from Kunar province (I Google them), I guess you should be suspect of these media reports hurting your progress. Blame the media for this too. Sun 27th by the AP On Sunday, Taliban militants ambushed a truck convoy in eastern Kunar province, killing six drivers and burning their vehicles, the Interior Ministry and provincial police said. A seventh truck driver was kidnapped in the attack near the Pakistani border. The trucks were loaded with construction materials bound for a military base, said Gen. Khaliullah Zaiyi, Kunar's police chief. Sept 10th Tuesday's ambush in Gangigal in Kunar that killed four U.S. Marine military advisers, eight Afghan soldiers and policemen, and an Afghan interpreter will surely raise serious question about the current rules of engagement which U.S. forces operate under in Afghanistan. Jonathan S. Landay, a reporter for McClatchy Newspapers, witnessed the ambush and said the Marines and soldiers did not receive air and artillery support to suppress the Taliban firing from the mountains. KABUL, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- A rocket fired by Afghan security forces during clash with Taliban militants in the northern Baghlan province Saturday left one person dead and injured two others including a child, police said. "Security forces came in contact with Taliban rebels in Shiringali village of Baghlan-e-Markazi district this morning during which a rocket fired by the troops hit a house killing one woman and wounding three others including one child," a police officer Gul Aqa told Xinhua. He also added that the fighting is continuing between the two sides. A similar incident in the eastern Kunar province Friday also left four civilians dead and injured three others. Who will tells us the truth the Media Ops Major? Please! - Rick James 2/11th ACR back in the day! Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:19:21 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20897 Afghanistan, where EMPIRES go to DIE!!! - silkworm Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:42:15 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20894 Although I do agree that said Major is a scumbag and that Mr. Ainsworth is not in the best interest of British Troops, I have to say that our time here in Afhganistan to make a positive change is being decreased due to many media reports going back home. I will be cordial as hell to any reporter / photographer who is attached to my platoon, but I do sense that the door swings both ways. Although I do want the story of my guys to be told in full, at the same time I realize that when these doctored / dramatic photos get published (like those in Time Magazine's article concerning Kunar province) the great majority of Americans get an extremely negative view of what's going on here. Our projects are outnumbering the firefights...the ANA are getting stronger everyday (still long way to go)...we have more influence in the population centers than the Taliban...none of this is conveyed to the public. It isn't as sexy as the black and white photo's of a US soldier who got his leg blown off getting MEDEVAC'd. I do respect the photographers coming along with us on missions but I have always been suspect of accountability issues above their level. That said, your work does do Soldiers good as it goes "behind the scenes". Always been a big fan. Come to Kunar, we'd love to have you...the Marines and British aren't the only guys fighting in Afghanistan. - Light Infantry in Kunar Tue, 29 Sep 2009 02:43:57 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20892 If the shoe fits the Major will wear it! The Major was not helping anyone when talking bad about a soldier training. If the soldier was doing something wrong the Major needed to correct the soldier, but to make a comment/joke about a soldier of lesser rank to anyone is a good example of how unprofessional this Major acts (leader of men). Calling people out on their crap; if anyone is getting in the way of the truth of this war getting to the people then they do need to be called out on it. The cream will come to the top and if the Major is wrong then he will wear the shoe. Sometime people in charge want to show you who is boss and they think there is nothing you can do to them, I think the Major, Col. and Bullshit Bob got a surprise. I have read Mr. Yon’s work for a few years now, read both of his books and looked him up on Wikipedia this guy is the best we as readers could hope for when covering this war. On Wiki: Served in the Special Forces early 1980s, one of the youngest soldiers to pass the Green Beret selection process. From reading and looking over articles from him all the way back in late 2005, he must have more combat time than most soldiers. Here is a guy who gets face time with General Petraeus, Defense Sectary of the United States Mr. Gates plus eats, sleeps, and goes into combat with our soldiers. No one covers such a wide range of war reporting, which makes his views of both of the wars special when also taken into account his own personal military training. From reading this article it does not look like Mr. Yon can be man handled, or his stories guided into a positive light when that is not the truth. For the Major and the rest that get in the way of the truth don’t cry when you get called out for being part of the problem! Great photos and stories of our guys doing HERO work everyday and night. Please help Mr. Yon do the most that he can to bring us the news. I’ll hit the tip jar on my way out, Mr. Yon keep reporting please!! - Rick James 2/11th ACR back in the day! Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:35:31 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/bullshit-bob.htm#comment-20890 BS Bob, and that Major, are the kind of guys we knew as REMFs when I served- "Rear Echelon M F-ers". That's why the SOBs are back there- because they aren't worthy to be with real warriors- and in their hearts they know the truth. Every Army has them. Thanks Michael for keeping them honest- or at least making them feel the heat for their BS. - Jim White Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:41:23 +0100