Pics of JK in Iraq taken by the US Army (never seen before)

[beachmom]

I decided to save the pics and create a nice post, so you guys don't have to go to the awful right wing site where I found them. However, his captions and photos were interesting enough to post.

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Number One: Sen. John Kerry (middle left) is greeted by Col. David Sutherland (far right) and Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Felt (far left), the commander and command sergeant major of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at a helipad on Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Baqubah, Iraq Dec. 16. Photographer for all photos: Pfc. Benjamin Fox

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Number Two: Col. David Sutherland, commander of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, briefs Sen. John Kerry on the current situation of his area of operations, the province of Diyala, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Bagubah, Iraq.

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Number Three: After speaking with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division commander, Col. David Sutherland, Sen. John Kerry (right) speaks with Iraqi officials about the problems the Diyala province faces. The meeting was held at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Baqubah, Iraq Dec. 16.

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Number Four: Sen. John Kerry speaks with Soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, at Forward Operating Base Warhorse, Baqubah, Iraq Dec. 16. The senator’s visit included a quick briefing on the problems the unit is facing and a visit with Iraqi government officials.


(Sorry about the gobbly gook around the photos -- not sure why that's there, but the photos are there, so that's what is most important)

[ProSense]

1. Cool, good find. Thanks! n/t

[wisteria]

2. Thanks for posting your find! n/t

[Island Blue]

3. Thanks for posting. These are great.

How did the right wing sight you found them on try to spin these? I'm sure there had to be more than simple posting of the photos with these straightforward captions.

[beachmom]

4. It's in post #15 on Tay Tay's "Lonely Guy" thread

The photos and captions come officially from the U.S. Army. The mil bloggers (used loosely, since none of the bloggers on that site are in Iraq now) made lots of snarky remarks which I won't repeat. I deaded the link, but if you copy and paste, adding back in the http, you can go see for yourself.

[beachmom]

5. I need people's opinion:

Do you guys like pic #1? I was thinking down the line, if I ever do a diary on Kerry and his position on Iraq, that #1 would be a good illustration of his travels OUTSIDE the Green Zone. The only problem is he's not a hat person (not everyone is), but given the gravity of where he is, I was thinking it would really jar people to see it (it startled me for a moment seeing him all armoured up). What also is interesting is how he looks very much the same as 1968/69, where there are pics of him wearing a helmut and flak jacket in Vietnam. Uncanny how he hasn't changed that much, once you don't see his grey hair.

What do y'all think?

[Democrafty]

6. Hmm.

I would be more concerned about comparisons to W playing dress-up in '03 than criticism of how he looks.

Then again, it's clear you have good ideas on how to present the pic, in which case, you should go for it. Most people don't actually care if JK looks hot in pics :)

[beachmom]

8. Didn't think of that -- but, this wasn't even from the AP

I could say I found it on a mil blog and it's never been in that wide a circulation. But you make a good point. The rightwingers made fun of him because the others werent' armoured. However, being a VIP, it seems pertinent that the military makes sure he's still in one piece going from A to B.

Maybe this one should just stay in the family. I never would want to be caught "Mission Accomplishing" the esteemed senator.

[karynnj]

9. I'm with Prosense,

as long as the context is that he was outside the Green Zone, I don't see that as a problem. He would have been a jerk if he didn't wear whatever protection was provided, because the men with him were assigned to protect him. Wounding a US Senator, no matter who he is, would be a PR victory for the terrorists.

The demeanor of everyone shows that this is not a photo opt, but pretty serious.

[ProSense]

7. I don't see it.

He has a bullet proof vest on, and there are others (looks like the group just arriving by helicopter) who have on helmets.

[Island Blue]

10. Well, IMO wingers (from both sides)

might very well make fun of JK in this photo if and when they see it. (No matter where it's posted and in what context.) This photo is obviously not a photo op because the photo itself isn't really all that great - it's really more of a snap shot.

I think it would be okay to use. It certainly does illustrate the point that JK is willing to go to places where other leaders fear to tread.