Posted on 02/01/2005 1:13:54 PM PST by NYer
^URGENT<
^U.S. military: No soldier missing in Iraq< ^Eds: LEADS throughout to RECAST with doubts over photo's authenticity; UPDATES with details of similarities between image and action figure, quotes from official from Dragon toys. Mispellings and repetitions in the Arabic text. ADD photo<
^AP Photo NY118<
BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) _ A Web site posted a photograph of what it claimed was a kidnapped U.S. soldier, but doubts were quickly raised about its authenticity and the U.S. military said no soldiers were missing.
A toy manufacturer said the figure in the photo resembled one of its military action figures, originally produced for sale at U.S. bases in Kuwamt>? *42 9:0:2627: 08820922 77 0 +21 94te often used for posting statements from militants, some of which have proven authentic in the past, and was in the name of a group that has claimed previous kidnappings, the Mujahedeen Brigades.
The Arabic text, however, contained several mispellings and repetitions. Staff Sgt. Nick Minecci of the U.S. military's press office in Baghdad said ``no units have reported anyone missing.''
The photo in the posting showed a figure dressed in desert camouflage fatigues, wearing a vest and knee pads and with a gun pointed to its head. All the items are similar to ones that come in a box with the action figure, named ``Cody.'' The figure in the photo appeared stiff and expressionless, and the statement said he was named ``John Adam.''
Liam Cusack, of the toy manufacturer Dragon Models USA, inc., said the image of the soldier portrayed in the photo bore a striking resemblance to the African-American version of its ``Cody'' action figure. ``It is our doll ... to me it definitely looks like it is,'' Cusack told The Associated Press. ``Everything the guy is wearing is exactly what comes with our figure.''
He said the figures were ordered by the U.S. military in Kuwait for sale in their bases, ``so they would have been in region.''
AP-ES-02-01-05 1603EST
But some soldier is pissed that his GI Joe set is missing.
Drat! Foiled again!
It appears that the Pentagon, CIA and NSA monitors the FR.
Priceless!
The sicko who posted that picture should be shot. I don't find it funny in the least.
The insurgents seem to have been watching the 'Team America' bootleg DVD one too many times..
We know.
Well gee if these iraqi fanatics wanted to play dolls why don't just ask.
As well they should. This is where true patriots hang out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
So Dan Rather is now running propoganda for the terrorists...
Sad, really sad.
Well, I've got a question... why sell those figurines on the overseas US Military bases? Why would a soldier want to play with toy soldiers?
That doll was no more artificial than his memo!
Now who would volunteer for boring duty like that?
"AF is short of water."
"Is anyone watching CSPAN2, the Senate on the Gonzales matter - Senator Kennedy is at it again.......tune in."
I'm watching.
WTH? Does he ever stop!?
WE ARE THE FR!......
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