The wag-the-dog mythicization of Jessica Lynch’s capture and release forms a sad chapter in the history of American journalism. Journalists and media outlets were clearly primed to provide war propaganda, and they could hardly have imagined that the victim/heroine would blow the gaff so dramatically.
An unintended (and largely unnoticed) consequence of the affair was to make it seem normal that women should serve in combat roles. But now comes one Elaine Donnelly, who runs something called the Center for Military Readiness. Writing in the National Review, Donnelly argues that Lynch’s post-capture ordeal, which included sexual assault, means that women should be kept out of combat roles. Naturally, it all turns out to be Bill Clinton’s fault.
Phil Carter, who actually knows something about the question, isn’t impressed.