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April 21st, 2006
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Iraq

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A Knight’s Tale
Beaten Senseless

New York Times Op-Ed Coming to a Close

Posted by Jeff Barnett on April 21st, 2006

After more than a month of writing for the op-ed section of the New York Times website, my publication in Frontlines is coming to a close. Frontlines wishes to keep me on, and given the choice I would stay, but embarking on this journey has uncovered a litany of rules and regulations that make it next to impossible for an active duty Marine to work for a media publication such as the Times. It turns out that my relationship with the Times is considered one step above that of an embedded reporter, because the Times has, in effect, a reporter working for them that is part of an active duty unit, not just attached to a unit. Reimbursement is the main issue, and I have expressed to my command that I am not concerned with being paid for my writing, but enough legal issues remain that I cannot continue. I harbor no ill will for this decision (as if that matters), and I am happy to have taken part in this exercise while given the opportunity. My personal blog will continue, of course, and I hope that I have attracted some readers to it through my participation in Frontlines. My last blog on Frontlines titled “The Conversation” will go live this Saturday, 22-April.



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Comment:
1
Written by:
Mintz
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 12:03 pm

While it’s sad you can’t stay longer and talk about all the things you wish to talk about, I’m glad you had the opportunity and took advantage of it while you could.

So… you’ll be able to repost everything once your contract is up, correct?

Comment:
2
Written by:
Laura, Marine mom from Ohio
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 12:39 pm

I very much enjoy your posts, I am glad you will keeping up with it. Stay safe young man!

Comment:
3
Written by:
Donna, Los Osos, CA
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 12:54 pm

Glad you will keep posting! Withdrawls from “Midnight” would not be a pretty site for many of us. Take care!

Semper gratus,
Donna

Comment:
4
Written by:
Slayer
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 1:46 pm

I am with Mintz, you are going to repost all that stuff now right? :)

You’re a great writer Midnight, we will keep reading here no matter what.

Comment:
5
Written by:
wormeyman
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 5:38 pm

Sorry to be an ass when this started but as you can guess i’m really glad that you won’t be working for them anymore.

Comment:
6
Written by:
Crystal
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 5:42 pm

I am with the masses that are thankful to have you and your writing available to read here on your blog. It’s a true shame that people don’t take the time to reach out and find the truth behind what they hear on CNN or the 5pm news. I’m very thankful for what you and those like you do everyday for me and my family and even more thanful you take the time to write and let us know just a glimpse of what life is like walking in your shoes. God Bless You Midnight

Comment:
7
Written by:
rapture
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 7:57 pm

Midnight: You should only write for conservative news outlets. That way, only conservative people will read your thoughts.

I also know a good choir that is in need of a preacher.

Comment:
8
Written by:
NG Mom
Posted on:
April 21st, 2006 at 9:39 pm

I appreciate your postings and never could get into buying my news online. Your blog gives your readers a timely insight that isn’t always available elsewhere and a definite “hands-on” perspective. This connection is especially important, when there’s a family member in the area. Less politics and more reality is also important. I’ll be reading. You and all of the others, please stay safe. Godspeed.

Comment:
9
Written by:
JE
Posted on:
April 22nd, 2006 at 12:25 am

It would be difficult for me to ever say anything positive about the NYT. The four op-ed milboggers are that once in a life time situation at the NYT.

I sense that Rapture is being mildly sarcastic about always giving your views to a conservative audience, the old “praching to the choir” scenario. I thought this a good idea at the outset and I personally have been incredibly gratified to see such exemplary members of our fine military telling it as it is and doing it in such a way that has at all times been a credit to your respective services. It has got to have impressed at least some of the regular readership of the NYT. That will have left them open to an honest view of what is going on in Iraq. I could never take issue with that. Hearts and Minds!!

It can only have been a positive thing to have widened, even temporarily, the flow of ideas that come out of the NYT to two points of view.

Congratulations on this additional contribution to your nation, Midnight.

Comment:
10
Written by:
Matt, Auburn, AL
Posted on:
April 22nd, 2006 at 2:11 am

I found your blog through the NYT. I have found your posts both there and here to be fascinating. Keep writing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Comment:
11
Written by:
Midnight
Posted on:
April 23rd, 2006 at 1:53 am

I will indeed be reposting my NYT articles. They are eligible to be reposted 30 days after their appearance in the Times, with the disclaimer “Originally appeared in the New York Times.” That will begin very, very soon, as several articles are already eligible.

Comment:
12
Written by:
Papa Ray
Posted on:
April 24th, 2006 at 7:48 pm

Well, I can’t speak to your armor situation, except that from what I read on other milblogs, more is not better, heavy and hot is not good at all.

I can tell you that when I was a grunt, the weather would make you a casualty faster than the enemy would. One hundred plus degrees and one hundred percent humidity and you didn’t even want to wear a shirt or pants, let alone a bucket, boots and other combat gear.

This was not true of course when we got in the choppers and were up in the cooler air. But as soon as we hit the boonies, it was like being in a sauna, turned up full blast. Then all the relief you could get was the daily rains, but that got old and ruined your gear, boots and skin after a few days of being wet 24 hours a day.

So, you guys do what you can, to make it.

Continue the Mission.

Papa Ray
West Texas
USA

Comment:
13
Written by:
beldon
Posted on:
June 11th, 2006 at 3:39 pm

Very needed information found here, thank you for your work

Comment:
14
Written by:
bliss
Posted on:
June 23rd, 2006 at 7:15 pm

Perfect pages… tnx