Another Clown

[rwest158497]

Local pastor made up elaborate Navy SEAL tale

By Liz Goodwin

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By Liz Goodwin liz Goodwin – Mon May 9, 4:11 pm ET
In the wake of the dramatic Navy SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden's compound earlier this month, it was perhaps to be expected that some expansive soul would step forward to claim the prestige of a fabricated tour as a SEAL for himself. Such tall tales are not uncommon, after all, amid high-profile military actions.
This time the exposed fabricator was a preacher--though people who monitor this brand of public lie note that members of the clergy are often tempted into such misrepresentations. More curious still, the prevaricator in question seems to have lifted at least some details of his account from the 1992 Steven Seagal SEAL-themed blockbuster, "Under Siege."
Yes, as his area newspaper, the central Pennsylvania Patriot-News, pulled together a dispatch on the exploits of the elite Navy operation, Jim Moats, the pastor at Christian Bible Fellowship Church in Newville, Penn., spun some fantastical details of his alleged time as a Navy SEAL during the Vietnam War.
Moats told his church for five years that he was a former SEAL, and even once wore the elite program's gold Trident medal around town. He elaborated on that tale when his local paper contacted him last week as it was reporting a story about the rigors of SEAL training in the wake of the SEAL raid on Osama bin Laden's compound.
Among other things, Moats said he was subjected to waterboarding when he trained at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach in 1971 and was assigned dishwashing duty for his bad attitude. "I had almost no discipline. I was as wild as they came. That was my nemesis," he told the paper. "They weren't looking for a guy who brags to everyone he is a SEAL. They wanted somebody who was ready but had an inner confidence and didn't have a braggadocio attitude."
Several former SEALs wrote into The Patriot-News casting doubt on the reverend's account of his service.

"We deal with these guys all the time, especially the clergy. It's amazing how many of the clergy are involved in those lies to build that flock up," said retired SEAL Don Shipley. Shipley also speculated the waterboarding and kitchen details came from the action depicted in "Under Siege."
Moats fessed up to his whopper, and admitted he bought the Trident medal at a military surplus store. "I never was in a class, I never served as an actual SEAL. It was my dream. ... I don't even know if I would have met the qualifications. I never knew what the qualifications were," he told the Patriot-News. Moats did serve in the Navy from 1970-74, but did not fight in Vietnam.
The paper, meanwhile, is unapologetic for printing Moats' prevarications.
"The Patriot-News regularly interviews veterans to tell their stories. We do not regularly ask those we interview for proof of their service, believing these men and women would not lie and dishonor those who have fought bravely defending our country," the paper said in a special note to readers about the incident.
The practice of claiming false military credentials is by no means confined to comparatively lesser known public figures such as Moats. Accusations of exaggeration and lies about military service dogged the last election cycle. In 2008, Senate candidates Mark Kirk and Richard Blumenthal were called out for exaggerating their military service, though both still won their races. Kirk's web site said he served "in Operation Iraqi Freedom," when he was serving stateside, and Blumenthal incorrectly suggested he served in Vietnam. And it's not just politicians. In 1996, the Navy's top officer committed suicide after he learned Newsweek was looking into why he wore two small bronze valor pins, which signify acts of valor in combat. He wore the pins even though he was never awarded them.
In 2005, President George W. Bush signed the Stolen Valor Act into law--legislation that made it a federal crime to claim false military honors. A recent federal appellate court ruling determined that the law's provisions were an unconstitutional abridgment of free speech. A version of the same legislation is now before Congress, with language designed to avoid the free-speech quandaries raised by the 2005 law.
(Jenny Kane/The Patriot-News)



WHAT A CLOWN......WHY DO PEOPLE DO THIS?

[Sgt Leprechaun]

First, the guy is an idiot....but note the absolute LACK of real 'newspaperman' thought here:

""The Patriot-News regularly interviews veterans to tell their stories. We do not regularly ask those we interview for proof of their service, believing these men and women would not lie and dishonor those who have fought bravely defending our country," the paper said in a special note to readers about the incident."


REALLY? In other words, you don't give a flying rip who says what? If I claimed to be, say, a Russian Crown Prince, you'd print that?

Before printing it, a simple verification could have been done....but nooooo. THAT would require time, effort....and maybe...just maybe....actual WORK.

Yeah, this guy is a loser/poser..but the rag is just as culpable.

[michagnu]

Makes you wonder why the newspapers are going busted right and left doesn't it?

If I want BS I can google my preferred BS when I want news I want the facts.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Yup.

[GT6238]

As an ex-reporter/editor I can agree that the level of journalism is sliding year after year. I blame the colleges and universities. The professors there seem to be more interested in instilling liberal philosophies than basic writing and reporting. Some problems go back to high school and parents to be sure. I'm glad I'm out of the business and I wish them luck in the future since I'm getting pension money from them....

[Cpl Heglar]

Marines take note it is not only this news paper it is all newspapers, They'll print anything to make a buck and don't give a rats azz if it hurts someone or establishment. That's why I don't read the newspaper cause you don't know what to beleive. Back to topic this guys a jerk plain and simple and needs to have this wake up call so maybe he will be living in a real world versus with Snow white and the seven dwarves.

[Sgt Leprechaun]

Agree with BOTH of you. I am old enough to remember the 'old' newspaper days, where just because you allegedly had a 'degree' didn't mean doodly. You worked your way up, or proved yourself both a writer and a 'finder of fact'.

Nowadays, you are a 'journo-list' and the degree says you are 'smart'. Doesn't mean a stinkin thing if you can't THINK and WRITE, does it?

[USNAviator]

Agree with BOTH of you. I am old enough to remember the 'old' newspaper days, where just because you allegedly had a 'degree' didn't mean doodly. You worked your way up, or proved yourself both a writer and a 'finder of fact'.

Nowadays, you are a 'journo-list' and the degree says you are 'smart'. Doesn't mean a stinkin thing if you can't THINK and WRITE, does it?

Back when NY had about 11 papers and most cities had at least 2 as Jason said, reporters worked their way up.

You learned the trade on the job. I spent a summer writing Obits for the Washington Times. It was a good summer job, paid well and I got to see how a paper really worked. Virtually ever writer with a by line was only a high school grad. In fact if you walked in with a degree in journalism, they ignored you

I wonder how many know what this means from long ago?

-30-

[Sgt Leprechaun]

I know but not tellin

Believe it or not, based on the fact I was a published writer (MC Times, paid back page editorials, what a shock that will be) the WaPo offered me a job back in 2001. Turned them down (not because of politics)...the pay was a pittance and didn't even meet my USMC salary at the time.