I was sent a copy of the latest article about Mr. Sparling this morning.
The name rang a bell.
The story, itself, left much to be desired. Like any real specifics at all; no names or descriptions, not even of police, who were allegedly aware of a spitting "incident," which holds that a member of the peace-movement spat at or near Mr. Sparling, a former soldier, wounded in Iraq.
The whole thing seemed very odd to me and then there was that nagging feeling that I had heard the name before. Well, seems I had heard it before, lots of times:
Joshua Sparling, (b. 1981- ) is a Private First Class in the U.S. Army from Port Huron, Michigan, who was wounded in the War in Iraq. Since December 2005, Joshua has received significant publicity for being the victim of numerous incidents of aggression, attributed to his status as a veteran of the War in Iraq.
Death Wish
Joshua Sparling was injured in Iraq by an IED on November 20, 2005, and returned to the U.S. on November 24, 2005 where he underwent multiple surgeries to treat his wounds, including severe injuries to his right leg. [1] According to a letter written by Joshua's Father 2005, [2] on the day he arrived at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Sparling received a letter from the Red Cross that turned out to be anonymous hate mail expressing the wish that the soldier reading the card would die.[3] A white supremacist with anti-government views later claimed to be the source of the death wish letter. [4]
So, some Righting nut job took the credit for traumatizing this young man with hate mail?
There seems, however, to be a conflict in the time line for Joshua's various incidents of persecution. In one account, that of his father, the "death wish" card is received on his first day at Walter Reed. In another report, by the time he received the card, he had already been insulted by Code Pink, unnamed members, outside the gates of Walter Reed, while he was hobbling by on crutches. Which is it?
Verbal Abuse
In Spring 2006, his father described how Pfc Sparling claimed that he was insulted at an airport while in a wheelchair. [5]
Did the father witness this or not? If so, why did he not ask for the guard's identification, or simply get the name off the name tag or number off the badge?
The security guard said, “You are no different than any other passenger with no boarding pass - no go.” My son started to cry uncontrollably and told the guard to go to hell. Sparling's father claimed that another lady then spoke up and said, “That’s what you get for fighting in a war we have no business in.” Madder and very emotional I asked, “Can’t you remember 9-11?” She responded that was just our excuse to be in Iraq when we should not be there and we deserved whatever we got. That is when my son really lost it. Three WWII vets were coming off flights into DC, gave my son a hug, and stood up to the lady and security guard. They stayed with my son until he flew out.
Three WWII vets happened to be getting off flights about that time and just knew what the young man in the wheel chair was so upset about? How did they know? Did someone tell three elderly gentlemen. in civilian attire, about the young man's plight?
Mr. Sparling, who has been described as both a Pfc and a Corporal, also says that he was verbally attacked by members of Code Pink. Sorry, I find that very difficult to believe, however, if anyone can give me proof of it, as a member of the peace movement, a veteran Navy Hospital Corpsman, and a woman, I will personally confront the woman or women who persecuted this young man. Give me facts and they will wish to hell they had never opened their mouths!
Spit
On 27 January 2007, at an antiwar protest at Washington DC, Sparling claimed that a passing protestor may have spit near him, according to the New York Times. [6]
May have been spat at? Say what? This "incident" was reported because someone with a history of "being persecuted" says that someone may have spat at him?
Later, as antiwar protesters passed where he and his group were standing, words were exchanged and one of the antiwar protesters spit at the ground near Mr. Sparling; he spit back.
Supportive Publicity
Joshua's struggles have been featured by numerous media outlets and weblogs supportive of the Iraq War effort. Media coverage of the death wish triggered an outpouring of over 20,000 cards and gifts to wounded soldiers at Walter Reed. Joshua was championed by Fox News commentator Sean Hannity who gave him gifts of several movies and an Ipod. [7] He has appeared and spoken at Oliver North's "Freedom Alliance" concerts. [8] Additionally, Joshua and his parents were invited to and attended the 2006 State of the Union Address as guests of J. Dennis Hastert. [9]
Seems to me that either this is an orchestrated "flame-up" or a whole lot of people have been bamboozled by a con man or a very sick man.
Controversy
Regarding the "Spitting Incident" No "spitter" was identified and it is unclear whether the Times reporter actually witnessed the alleged incident. This raises questions about why it is that Mr. Sparling seems to be the only Iraqi War veteran to have received such demeaning treatment from the public.
As antiwar protesters passed where he and his group were hurling insults and holding signs stating "Hippies Smell", "Don't take the brown acid", etc., in complete disregard for the several hundred mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers of Iraq vets and current combat troops, words were exchanged and one of the antiwar protesters supposedly spit at the ground near Mr. Sparling, although there is no verification of this; he says he did not spit back. While the Freepers (one of the signs had www.freerepublic.com printed on the bottom) may have had a wounded Iraq vet with them, they obviously forgot, or were not aware, or simply didn't care, that Mr. Sparling was not the only Iraq vet at the rally. However, that seemed not to subdue their need to disrespect those veterans (not to mention those troops still in combat in Iraq who's families were at the rally) and their loved ones.
At least one account says that he admitted spitting back, not that I would blame him, if his story is true. As a matter of fact, Mr. Sparling should hire this old woman as his personal body guard. I can assure him that I would take care of any "spitters" he encounters in the peace-movement.
With the ultra-right, he is on his own.
[edit] External links
Brenner, Anita That your words may be put to the test La Canada Valley Sun
Hullaballoo No Spit Zone
Hullaballoo Spitting Image
Kilmeade, Brian Insult to Injury Fox News
Malkin, Michelle Good wishes for Joshua Sparling Malkin Blog
Murphy, Shannon Wounded soldier flooded with goodwill messages Port Huron Times Herald
Murphy, Shannon Some 20,000 well-wishers pen soldier who got hate mail Lansing State Journal
The Sean Hannity Show link to video from The Political Teen Blog
The Gunn Nutt Airport insult incident
New York Times Protest Focuses on Iraq Troop Increase
[edit] References
^ Injuries.
^ Injuries.
^ Malkin, M., Retrieved January 30, 2007.
^ Source of death threat., Retrieved January 30, 2007.
^ Insults
^ Times article
^ Hannity Gifts, Retrieved January 30, 2007.
^ Freedom Alliance., Retrieved January 30, 2007.
^ State of the Union Invite, Retrieved January 30, 2007.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joshua_Sparling"
Why the hell does this get under my skin to the point where I am like a snapping turtle; won't let go 'til it thunders?
Because I am sick of the lies. I've been sick of them for years!
I saw what was done to John Kerry, Max Clelland and anyone else who has opposed this pathological administration of chickenhawks, and their idiotic foreign policy.
From this moment on, I plan to fight back.
One might say that I am mad as hell and will not take it anymore!
Anyone who spreads hateful deceit about me or mine, will be exposed. Count on it!
That's right! I don't give a damn if you are a quadruple amputee. Lie about the peace movement and you will be exposed.
Anyone and everyone has a right to his or her own opinion about this war or any other issue. They also have a right to express their opinions. What they do not have a right to do is smear people who disagree with them, and I am sick to damn death of it.
Are these the same people who hate the 9/11 widows and say they should just get over it, that families of our Iraq soldiers, like Cindy Sheehan and the Gold Star Mom's need to shut up and get on with their lives?
The Nazis, Fascists and Communists were political parties before they became enemies of liberty and mass murderers.
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