Media Military Hatred Story Part Lots: “Marine” Pleads Innocent In Murder Case
Posted on January 3, 2009
One of the types of stories the Credentialed Media loves is when a military member is involved in some sort of crime, that way they can push the meme that they are all psycho’s and malcomtents. So, to see this headline on the front page of CNN – saw it on CNN mobile as the lead story first, and it is their lead on the website, too – is no surprise: Former Marine pleads not guilty to raping, killing college student
A former Marine and suspected serial rapist pleaded not guilty this week to raping and murdering 19-year-old college student Brianna Denison.
James Biela, 27, is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and sexual assault in the disappearance of Denison, who was last seen alive on her friend’s sofa in Reno, Nevada, January 20, 2008.
Now, Biela is a pretty sick puppy, if reports of his conduct and what he did are accurate and true. And if he did what he is accused of, hey, I’m all for applying the death penalty. But, was it necessary to include that he was a former Marine? What bearing does that have on the story? Other then to attempt to smear the Marines, there is no relevance or link. And
As of Monday, Dec. 1, officials in the United States Marine Corps confirmed Biela served in the Marines as an ammunitions technician. His service dates were Oct. 18, 1999 to Jan. 26, 2001. He was awarded the “Good Conduct” award in 2000. He was discharged from the Second Support Battalion based out of Camp LeJeune, NC. The Marine Corps cannot confirm reports that Biela was dishonorably discharged. A Marine Corps official said only Biela could discuss discharges. He enlisted in Spokane, they said.
So, he has been out of the Marines for almost 8 years. CNN didn’t tell us that tidbit, eh? There are probably a bunch of people thinking he got out recently.
» Filed Under Journalistic Malpractice, Liberal Media/Bias, News, military
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5 Responses to “Media Military Hatred Story Part Lots: “Marine” Pleads Innocent In Murder Case”
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How could he have been awarded the Good Cookie if he hadn’t been in for the requisite three years? He gets a three-year good conduct award after only one year, and then he is mysteriously dischared after one more year? This story reeks of something foul…
The fact that he was a Marine is pertinent how??? Did he start raping while he was in the Marines and they failed to do anything about it? I am guessing no, so why does it matter whether he was a Marine or not? CNN is particularily bad about doing this! Former Marine, Former Air Force, Former Soldier, Former Navy Sailor, it just doesn’t matter. I am all about including it if it matters, which it clearly doesn’t in this case!
The idea that the media, even by most liberal standards, is trying to smear the military with this story is a bit superfluous. This isn’t the 60’s where Vietnam veterans were spat at. No matter how left, how right, how libertarian or authoritarian someone is, there is a damn good chance that they support the troops.
The reason why that tidbit is included is because soldiers, like officers, are held to a higher standard, and when such a person breaks the standard with an incideous act like this its worse because not only are they a disgrace to the regular population, they are also a disgrace to the military.
I have noted that left wing media in particular has a tendency to identify wrongdoers as former members of the military. “Former Marines” in particular are targeted. I suspect this to be due to their own prejudice regarding those that serve their country.
Since press reporters in World War I identified Marines as distinct from soldiers due to censorship, the Corps has enjoyed a privileged status in the news. That positive image of special heroic representatives of American Arms is unfortunately balanced by identification with bad behaviour. Folks don’t much notice “soldiers or sailors” who break the law but perk up when it is a former Marine like Charles Whitman, Lee Harvey Oswald, Oliver North. I’ve also noticed that ex-green berets get called out by branch when associated with crime. It may be a press/public perception of elites misbehaving. whatever it is, it won’t stop and I would recommend those thousands of law-abiding former Marines not to take it personally. You know don’t act that way.