Breaking News from Matt Sanchez:
After a thorough investigation that lasted nearly a week the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division has concluded that the allegation made by Private Thomas Scott Beauchamp, the “Baghdad Diarist”, have been refuted by members of his platoon and proven to be false”
The official investigation the 4th IBCT Public Affairs Office qualified as “thorough and professional” concluded late August 1st. Officials would not speculate on the possibility of further action against Private Beauchamp, nor would they confirm his current whereabouts or status.
Sergeant First Class Robert Timmons, the acting public affairs official of the 4th IBCT, 1st ID, in the absence of Major Luke Luedeke, remarked that despite the high level of attention this case received in the American media, soldier at the have not been distracted from their missions.
In the month of July, Operation Dragon Hammer resulted in the capture of over 110 detainees and “no mission has been delayed or adversely effected by the investigation into Private Beauchamp’s allegations of misconduct among the soldiers of his unit the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment”, said Timmons.
The 4th IBCT, 1st ID Area of Operations, Rasheed District in Western Baghdad is one of the toughest and most violent districts in the Iraqi capital.
The krazy Kos kiddies, TNR, and the rest of the leftwingnut media will scream “cover up” in 3….2…1…Now, maybe the Soldiers of the 4th IBCT can get back to the business of the mission and put this little turd in the shitpile of history where he belongs.
Of all the things TNR could report, they focus on an attention-seeking crybaby who was forced to admit his claims were false after the truthbecame too much of an obstacle. Of course, the conspiracy mavens and the “American military: bad, al Qadea: good” crowd will crawl out from underneath their rocks and wail in unison.
If Foer and company have any integrity, they’ll print a few stories on the dedication and bravery of Soldiers, which they trumped in favor of what they saw as a juicy anti-war piece. But I’m not holding my breath.
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According to Michael Goldfarb (link at bottom) he recanted when confronted by investigators; there are some who think he did so under duress. I doubt it, since the investigators would want evidence either way, but most civilians have a lot of difficulty understanding that the military tends to follow its own rules to the letter.
I’d say Beauchamp’s difficulties are just beginning. With a sworn statement that his story was fabricated, the Army can do just about anything from a Letter of Reprimand to a General – If I were Beauchamp, I’d hope my commander was having a very good week.
But if I were a betting man, I’d say he’s looking at an Article 15 and an admin discharge. It’s the easiest and quietest way to get rid of him, and if he squawks too much, they can always escalate to a court martial and jail time.
http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2007/08/beauchamp_recants.asp
Amen and Hooah!