Thousands Swarming To West Virginia For Lynch Homecoming

[Judi Lynn]

Thousands Swarming To West Virginia For Lynch Homecoming
Last Updated: 7/21/2003 7:13:58 AM

One day before her arrival, thousands have jammed into Elizabeth, West Virginia, to hear former POW Jessica Lynch's first public comments since her dramatic rescue in Iraq.

Lynch's Tuesday homecoming is providing a brief
economic boom for Wirt County, which has the dubious distinction of having West Virginia's highest unemployment rate -- 15.1 percent.

Hundreds of out-of-towners, many of them journalists, have brought cash, along with unprecedented traffic, to this county seat
of about 1,000 for Lynch's first public comments since her wounding, capture and rescue in Iraq.

Hotels are booked solid.

Much of the benefit has washed over to neighboring Wood County, which has the hotels closest to the Lynch celebration. Rooms in
Parkersburg, about 20 miles away, are booked solid Monday night.
(snip/...)

http://www.wusatv9.com/news/news_article.asp?storyid=20677

There's a related thread started by FlashHarry in G.D. on Jessica Lynch's homecoming:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=71122&mesg_id=71122&page=

[FlashHarry]

1. Here we go. . .

That poor woman. I pray they will respect her privacy; I know they won't.

[robcon]

2. We should respect her privacy if she wants it.

I don't think she's said publicly that she wants privacy. I don't think she, or her family, is bothered by the hoopla at all.

[FlashHarry]

20. Gee, and I thought it was a constitutional right.

Since when do you have to ask for privacy?

[Jacobin]

3. What? No NASCAR races this week?

"See the woman who survived a car wreck in Iraq"

She walks, she talks, she's blonde and she's kinda cute.

Step this way folks, git yer hotdogs and soft drinks and see the little home where Jessica was born.

[buckfush2]

4. git yer gen-u-ine iracki bedpans

similar to those used by war hero jessica lynch.

they're full of shit just like her rescue story

[leesa]

5. Wouldn't it be great if she publically stated the truth?

After all, she owes a great debt to the Iraqi medical team that helped her.

[wndycty]

6. Then the crowd will turn on her. . .

. . .the same wat they have turned on the troops who are complaining.

[ward919]

7. Who cares? What about the soldiers being KILLED now?

Lynch is safe in the arms of her parents and will gain noteriety for the fame that the big lie associated with her caputre and "resue" brought. What about the hundreds of maimed and dead US soldiers and the ones dying now for another big lie? I am sorry, but I just can't get excited about this homecoming. I don't have anything against her and do believe that she is one of the heros...but only one. What about the rest of the soldiers who were with her? We hear virtually nothing about them.
It's just another attempt by the media and the administration to glorify their own misdeeds by trying to make an icon out of this young lady. Is America still so shallow and crass that the only heros they can pay homage to are blond-haired, blue eyed media made heros who they surround with tales of Rambo-type bravery...even though it's made up?

Since it must happen...good for Byrd's W.VA...they will at least get some economic lift out of this.

sorry, but this is the way I feel. Juxtaposed to the news about 5 US soldiers being killed by Taliban...I am not thrilled by Jessica's homecoming hype!

[Tyler Durden]

8. GAWD do we SUCK or WHAT?

This country has hit skids, is headed down the tubes, has missed the bus, is running on empty, has intellectually flatlined, turned into Branson MO...

If I think of more to say, I'll let you know.

[Sideways]

16. No Or What Needed Tyler

We Suck. Like a vacuum cleaner on crack. The USA is a giant slurping machine of avarice, cowardice, and stupidity.

Bring back Woody Guthrie. Kill the fucking machine and its fascist handlers.

For those of you who might be appalled at my stance and want to tell me to leave the USA if I don't love it get over yourself as I am already gone.

I live in the Middle East in the sultanate of Oman. And I'm not coming back to the almighty USA any time soon.

Thank GAWD.

[IndianaGreen]

9. And many of those flocking are Christian fundamentalists

CNN showed a short clip of the local preacher ranting about it being's "Gawd's will" that Jessica Lynch is being "returned to us"!

Rather than thanking "Gawd", or the US military, thank the Iraqi civilians that saved Lynch's life and cared for her in the hospital. Oh, I forgot, those were brown-skinned infidels I am talking about.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

14. And Jessica Spake Unto Them: "Thou shall not kill." And went home.

What a scene that would be. The ultimate Dixie Chick fantasy.

[underpants]

10. ONe of our local TV stations has someone there (WHY???)

DO we really need 150 different perspectives on this? I'm glad she is home and I hope she gets everything she can out of this but she is probably going to have a long (rehab) road to full recovery.

Every station sending someone there is like the low man on the totem pole Hurricane watch thing. We don't need someone from every local station bothering these people and the town of Palestine.

[northzax]

11. 15.1% unemployment?

think she'd have joined up if unemployment was 6%? how many young people in Elizabeth, West Virginia have no real option BUT to join the military?

[snooper2]

12. They have another option..

Leave the hole called West Virginia.

[underpants]

13. Hey Hey ease off the WV bashing (BTW-it's one county with 15.1%)

My Mom is from WV originally and it is a nice place with very nice people. Her whole family has done very well thank you. West Virginians have a good sense of humor about themselves but would not appreciate it being called a "hole".

Also Palestine is so small that even my Uncle who worked for Appy Power didn't know where it was at first.

[hezekkia]

15. grrr

some of you folks are disgusting, and sound just as arrogant as the current occupants of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. What, you think you are better than people who live in West Virginia? Too good for folks just because they are poorer or less educated than you? enough with the bigoted, stereotyping comments. next you'll be mocking black inner-city kids, or latinos, or ... oh wait, it's not trendy to make fun of those groups. grow up, and learn some tolerance. :mad:



"What? No NASCAR races this week?
Step this way folks, git yer hotdogs and soft drinks and see the little home where Jessica was born."


"git yer gen-u-ine iracki bedpans"

"Leave the hole called West Virginia."

[Sideways]

17. Welcome to DU

Flame retardant underpants required. If you can't take the heat stay out of our knickers.

[Aristus]

18. Think of them, not as ordinary residents of W Va, but

pro-Bush, pro-war, pro-death retarded reich-wingers. They ARE bigoted and poorly educated, for the most part. Ordinary W Virginians who voted for Byrd are all right in my book.

[demdave]

22. This is why I fear the average Dem. ever finds this sight

and God forbid it would gain press time. There are more than enough bigots and prejudiced people in here. So try to mine the posts for news and info...that is what I try to do, and ignore the vile bigots. Trust me, they will show themselves. I think you have already found a couple. :)

[beanball]

19. Jessica Lynch the war hero

will shrub be there to present Jessica her medal of honor?

[FlashHarry]

21. I'm sure it's been discussed.

It could backfire, however, if there were protests from other MOH recipients. (The MOH for surviving a car wreck???)

[Uzybone]

23. It wouldnt fly at all

Id expect many many people to raise a big shit about that if it happens (the MOH). Bush wouldnt do it, he doesnt want anymore attentioned on Lynch and the military fables that accompany her.