Chicago Tribune: "Wounded, Marine and Gay"

[Hissyspit]

Apologies if this a dupe post.

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2007/02/wounded_marine_.html

Originally posted: February 28, 2007

Wounded, Marine and gay

WASHINGTON -- Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva was the first American to be wounded in the Iraq war nearly four years ago. He stepped on a landmine, broke his right arm and injured his leg so badly it had to be amputated.

Wednesday, flanked by Reps. Christopher Shays, R-4th District and Martin Meehan, D-Mass., he came to Congress with a plea.

"I'm an American who fought for his country. Who'd have ever guessed the first American wounded was a gay Marine," Alva said.

He and the lawmakers, and another 107 House members, introduced legislation that would repeal the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gay service personnel.

MORE

[Hissyspit]

1. Poster notes this:

The above article starts off by saying: "Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Alva was the first American to be wounded in the Iraq war nearly four years ago."

This being the Tribune, I checked out the accuracy of this claim. According to ABC News, Alva was the first Marine (NOT the first American) to be "seriously" wounded in Iraq. And an article in the Dallas Morning News 2-18-07 makes no claim that he was the first anything, only that he was "one of the first Texans wounded".

Sgt. Alva's sacrifice was real enough. He doesn't deserve some Swamp reporter embellishing it. I'd suggest that Mr. Lightman check on this and if needed, make the appropriate correction.

Posted by: bruce | Feb 28, 2007 5:03:22 PM

[orleans]

2. alva refered to himself as the "first american" wounded in iraq

did you see that frontline show the other night? i think it's up on the pbs website (and i think it's in four parts)--the other night pbs aired part 3 and there was quite a bit about the chicago tribune. bottom line on the trib: what total assholes the ceo & stock holders are!

[Hissyspit]

3. Accompaniment to the action email Alva sent out. n/t