The Old Dog Barks

In a recent article in the Chronicle of Education Review — Teaching Military History in a Time of War, Michael A. Bellesiles tells a tragic story concerning the death of an American serviceman. The only problem was — it didn’t happen. You would think after the Arming America fiasco Bellesiles would have learned his lesson. You would be wrong.

Editor’s note:

The Chronicle has looked into questions raised by commenters and bloggers about this article.

We talked to the teaching assistant for the course, who confirmed Mr. Bellesiles’s account of the student’s story. According to the teaching assistant, a Marine veteran, the student told him that his brother had been shot in the head and later died from his injuries.

The Chronicle also spoke with the student called “Ernesto” in the article. The student said the soldier who died was his half-brother, was a member of the U.S. Army, and had died in Afghanistan in November. The student declined to provide further details because of unspecified “issues.”

At The Chronicle’s request, an Army spokesman searched a database of all U.S. military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan using the name the student provided. There were no matches. The Chronicle’s own search of Department of Defense news releases turned up no casualties under any name that matched the student’s description.

In an attempt at damage control:

Asked for a response, Mr. Bellesiles said he was saddened that his student had altered the details of a personal tragedy and that he regretted that he had unknowingly passed on a story that was not accurate. “But I hope that no one mistakes the point of my article in calling for greater sympathy and support in our colleges for veterans and the families of those who have suffered loss in our current wars.”

This is from an anonymous comment to a Washington Times article titled : Obama lawsuit invites fortified state militia”.

ps2os2 says: :What might be interesting trial to stop *ALL* federal monies going to AZ. I do mean all Social Security and everything else. Just stop giving them money. Let them enact all the laws they want and let them dry up in the sun, OH yes and include electricity, gasoline and airline subsidies, railroad and road *EVERYTHING. Let them find out he hard way.”
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Unfortunately, this is what sometimes has to happen to states who “go rogue.” If indeed AZ wants to go their “own way,” let them! But then all perks and benefits go along with it. We have too many klingons in this country anyway that are not pulling their own weight. This silly talk about the bigggg new election results in November are a hoot! Nothing will change that much, and one still has President Obama to contend with. When their backs are to the wall, most reasonable Congresspeople will re-think any laws that are up for votes. I think AZ and TX had better be darn happy with what they have. TX may be big but they have a whole lot of nothing in their wastelands.
Silly prattle from commenters who know nothing. Happy Monday!

There is a gem hiding in there that states the problem succinctly — too many Klingons not pulling their own weight. Wish I knew what to do about it.