They Tried To Kill Me"
by digby

So apparently the NY Times journalist who reported the spitting incident apparently personally saw Cpl. Joshua Sparling getting spit upon. Hughes for America has the story:

The latest in a long line of controversies surrounding veteran Joshua Sparling, who lost part of a leg in Iraq, started with this New York Times article penned by Ian Urbina, with help from Sarah Abruzzese and Suevon Lee. "There were a few tense moments, however," the story read, "including an encounter involving Joshua Sparling, 25, who was on crutches and who said he was a corporal with the 82nd Airborne Division and lost his right leg below the knee in Ramadi, Iraq.

Mr. Sparling spoke at a smaller rally held earlier in the day at the United States Navy Memorial, and voiced his support for the administration's policies in Iraq. Later, as antiwar protesters passed where he and his group were standing, words were exchanged and one of the antiwar protestors spit at the ground near Mr. Sparling; he spit back."[...]

Adding to these important questions is the account of an interesting encounter Saturday between one protester and a woman claiming to be a reporter for the New York Times. The protester, in a letter to Urbina, wrote, "[Abruzzese] turned to me and told me she had seen a protester spit on a soldier and asked for my comment. I told her I didn't believe that, and she repeated that she had seen this happen. I told her the peace movement is more supportive of the troops than anyone who supports this war, because we want our troops to come home, while those who support the war are advocating sending them into harm's way.

So I really could not believe that anyone who opposed the war had spit on a soldier. My comments were not included in your story."

She continues, "I was upset when I read your story the next day to see this was an 'alleged' incident and the protester had supposedly spit on the ground in front of the soldier (which is quite different from spitting ON this soldier).

In other words, what was related in your story was not at all what that reporter had told me. So she either lied to me or your story is false."

In follow-up call with Urbina, the protester reports that he [Urbina] claims to have received 150-plus e-mails about the story. He also maintained that Abruzzese actually saw the incident and that the protester cited in the story spat on Sparling, not "at the ground near" him, which the Times originally reported.So there you have it. The NY Times reporter claims that Sparling was spat upon. Why she reported it as she did remains a mystery. But, I'll take her word for it that it happened. It would now be helpful if the paper of record could clear up some of the Rashoman aspects of this incident since the reporter was in the thick of it and could set the record straight. Sparling was everywhere relating his tale yesterday. Michele Malkin wrote about it on her blog and went on O'Reilly and talked about it.Here is the tale Sparling told on

Hannity's radio show:

Hannity: I read the reports that you got spit at.

Sparling: Yeah. That was the worst afternoon of being an American that I've ever had in my life. They actually made me ashamed to be a soldier. They kept calling me a baby killer and a murderer and said I was a disgrace, they wish I would have stayed in Iraq, that I have blood all over my hands.One guy, before the police blocked it off and it was just them on one side and us on the other about 10 yards apart, they were allowed to walk right on the sidewalk where we were and one of the fellas just spit right on me.The other people were too far away to hit me with theirs. But this guy did --- and the worst thing is that he had a little 82nd patch on his little backpack and I'm in the 82nd and that really got to me there.

Hannity: Did anyone see this or did you have any witnesses? Do you know who this guy is? Could you get him arrested?

Sparling: Uh, I don't know who the fella is. I just know him by his description. But I had my girlfriend there, my father was there and some of the other members of our group, the Freedom group and uh...

Hannity: Here you gave your life for your country, you go off and pur your life at risk for your country for the right of these morons to say whatever they like at their little peace rally there and the thanks you get for this is just like a lot of vets after Vietnam. You get spit at.

Sparling: You know, that's exactly ... I thought back ... and sure it wasn't as bad as it was back then, but it was like, wow, this is what what they felt like.And speaking to them over the megaphone I had, I was... I believe that if you speak calmly and rationally to people that they'll listen, that if you scream they're only gonna scream back and you're not going to get anything accomplished whatsoever.And so I was talking and there was people screamin "Oh you're just upset because you can't run!" Stuff like that. People were furious just so much, by me talking and saying that I was a vet and that I believe in my cause, that they were actually rushing the police to get to me and they were threatening that they were gonna kill me and all this. Three of these individuals were actually waiting for me to try to get me when the rally was over. They were gonna wait for me and then take me out after it was over.

Hannity: Well look, it's an incredible story, it's sad, but it's revealing. No kidding. Sparling appeared this morning on Fox and Friends, where he embellished his story further:

Obviously, I'm not going to judge all of them because there were a couple of peaceful people who just walked by.But for the most part, there was people just lining the fences, jumping over it, screaming and trying to get at us and there were a couple of people waiting with clubs to meet me with after it was over with and the police had to stop them from bull rushing us on the sidewalk.It's a wonder that they didn't call out the riot squad. Watch the interview. You will see Sparling's father appear and complain about being broke, which he has been doing on Hannity's show since at least January 2005. (Maybe Sean could fork over something more than an Ipod, the cheap bastard --- or help the old man get a job.)

Weirdly, while Sparling was telling his tale of slavering beasts jumping fences and threatening to kill him, there was a split screen showing the actual march. (And stick it out to the end, because you just won't believe it):
That's sweet, isn't it? (And I mean that.) I've come to believe this kid is just basking in the warmth of his FreeRepublic family and these stories are getting him lots of attention and love.

(His father, however, claims he was fired because his son was sick and he's been in DC for over a year while the kid is in the hospital. I can't help but wonder if he might have spotted an opportunity.)

But be that as it may, Sparling really is hurling some awful accusations and Fox News, the wingnutosphere and talk radio are airing it. I would be very interested to know if the NY Times reporter who witnessed Sparling being spit upon saw any of this other violent activity.

I wonder if the police remember any of it. Did anyone see this man with the 82nd Airborn patch on his backpack? Is that who the reporter saw, and if so, is it absolutely certain that it was a protestor and not someone who was affiliated with the Free Republic group?

Were other protesters spitting from farther away at the time and couldn't hit him, as Sparling alleges?

Lots of questions, few answers.

But the NY Times put its imprimatur on this young man's story, gave it credibility and now it has legs. They should take a look at Sparling's frequent run-ins throughout the country with rude and violent anti-Iraq war Americans --- people who are such cretins that they scream, "You're just upset because you can't run," to a man who lost his leg. They deserve to be exposed if they exist. I know that people out there must have video footage of the march and it would be probably be a good idea to start putting it up on YouTube.

We could not agree more! Let's find the people who spat upon a soldier or not.

Someone deserves an ass-kicking!

The Nazis, Fascists and Communists were political parties before they became enemies of liberty and mass murderers.

And From The Freepers (What Planet do these people live on?)

Where are are all the g-damned pictures of vandalism at the capitol?

Has even one elected official mentioned such a thing?

No, not even Fox News has said anything about vandalism.

What kind of fruitcakes are these people?


Readers of this blog will remember the name Joshua Sparling. In December 2005, the Iraq war veteran received a disgusting, anti-war death wish card while being treated at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, D.C. for injuries from a bomb explosion in Ramadi. Last month, his right leg was amputated.

And this weekend, while participating in a counter-protest against the moonbat convergence, he was spit at by anti-war demonstrators. Via Allah, here's the NYTimes report on the incident:
I
n Washington, counterprotesters also converged on the mall in smaller numbers, but the antiwar demonstration was largely peaceful.

There were a few tense moments, however, including an encounter involving Joshua Sparling, 25, who was on crutches and who said he was a corporal with the 82nd Airborne Division and lost his right leg below the knee in Ramadi, Iraq. Mr. Sparling spoke at a smaller rally held earlier in the day at the United States Navy Memorial, and voiced his support for the administration’s policies in Iraq.

Later, as antiwar protesters passed where he and his group were standing, words were exchanged and one of the antiwar protestors spit at the ground near Mr. Sparling; he spit back.

Capitol police made the antiwar protestors walk farther away from the counterprotesters.
“These are not Americans as far as I’m concerned,” Mr. Sparling said.
Kristinn Taylor at Free Republic, which counter-protested with Sparling, has more. Jim Hoft posts a photo of Sparling at the counter-protest.

Shame on the spitter. May you rot in hell.

On a related note of outrage, Ian Schwartz notes a Hill story on how Capitol police stood and watched as anti-war thugs vandalize the building:
Anti-war protesters were allowed to spray paint on part of thewest front steps of the United States Capitol building after police were ordered to break their security line by their leadership, two sources told The Hill.

According to the sources, police officers were livid when theywere told to fall back by U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) Chief Phillip Morse and Deputy Chief Daniel Nichols. "They were the commanders on the scene," one source said, who requested anonymity. "It was disgusting."
After police ceded the stairs, located on the lower west front of the Capitol, the building was locked down, the source added.

A second source who witnessed the incident said that the police had the crowd stopped at Third Street, but were told to bring the police line in front of the Capitol.
Approximately 300 protesters were allowed to take the steps and began to spray paint "anarchist symbols" and phrase such as "Our capitol building" and "you can’t stop us" around the area, the source said.

I'm sure Nancy Pelosi will get to the bottom of this brazen property destruction and demand accountability from the Capitol police brass for their refusal to guard the People's House from the vandals...

The Nazis, Fascists and Communists were political parties before they became enemies of liberty and mass murderers.

What's Joshua's Real Story? Anatomy of a Rightwing Smear.

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.