OK, so I am sort of outed (not that way). My name is Greta Perry, and I am a military blogger and political junkie on my other blog, Hooah Wife. I prefer to keep my military opinions separate from Kiss My Gumbo (which millions of people receive daily in their inbox – snicker). But when my Northshore NOLA.com Coordinator (Milena), asked for my insight about the latest military headlines, supposedly banning Myspace & You Tube from soldiers, I couldn’t hold my opinions from the NOLA.com readers. You see, I do have a little more insight and thoughts than “the average bear”, when it comes to soldiers, the military and blogging. You’ll have to go read my profile and other blog/blogs to find out how I truly qualify.

Earlier this month, I was in DC to join in with the camaraderie of my fellow military bloggers. Of course we discussed the press release from the Pentagon, released 2 days prior to our conference, that would, worst case scenario, put the kibosh on Milbloggers. When it came down to the truth about what was said, it made sense. Just let your commander know you are blogging and be responsible about 530-1 . “>OP SEC (operational security). It was just putting some oversight into the craze of blogging from soldiers in the war zone. The commander needs to trust that their soldier and can be as lenient and/or strict as they want once they know they are blogging. Makes sense…right???

Then yesterday, the sensationalized headlines are spouting, “The big bad Pentagon is banning poor soldiers from playing on YouTube & MySpace during their free time.” Go read the report and it mentions that the Army is just saying not to do MySpace and You Tube and other personal junk on their servers. It was kind of a dumb thing to say as it is a recreational outlet for many soldiers who work round the clock and don’t necessarily have access to other servers. Let’s put it this way, most 40 and up commanders, don’t have a YouTube channel or MySpace account. You can say they are “behind the times and/or crusty,” I guess. I think and hope they will backtrack and clarify today or this Milblogger will be screaming at the top of her lungs to let them enjoy their MySpace and YouTube!

This is what the anonymous mom of a soldier said when I asked about her initial reaction to the current DOD release.

“As a mother, I check my own son’s myspace page almost daily because if I see that he’s been online, I know he is alright for another day.

This war is being fought with propaganda on television and unfortunately, the primary source of information is from the enemies of our country – enemies within, Let the soldiers get something out to counter that!

I’m sick to death of the enemy’s word being taken over the word of out soldiers. The enemy’s rights carry more weight than our soldiers. The enemy’s FEELINGS are being taken into account at the EXPENSE of our soldiers.

Al-Qaeada has used Abu Graib as their excuse for what that have done to the soldiers that were ambushed and killed/kidnapped on Saturday. That’s a direct result of this attitude of over reporting an infraction from our soldiers while ignoring horrific acts on the part of the enemy,

Somebody in power needs to get some gonads in this was and back up our troops
~anonymous mother of active duty soldier~

So let’s settle the score and sit back and enjoy my personal take on the matter. And if you search around, some Milbloggers have over-reacted and some are in a “hold” pattern like me.

1. Soldiers are fighting for freedom of speech, freedom
2. With blogging comes responsibility
3. This is the first war ever “blogged”
4. The government isn’t against You Tube, MySpace, blogs, etc… really go read the DOD releases
5. With technology today and the unfortunate photos of a few knuckleheads, it is clear there are a few morons in every group (look in your office right now – you can find one).
6. The message was misinterpreted by the press to sensationalize it! It isn’t about taking away freedom, it is about OP SEC (operational security).
7. Soldiers should get some additional training before blogging. It is to protect their safety and those around them!
8. My pal JP over at Milblogging.com is kind of pretty much in the same court as me on this (I’m scared now), and he is an active duty blogger who is (say it ain’t so) blogging about this!!!!
9. I think people/press are looking for another reason to hate the government
10. If you have no idea what I am talking about, read my regular stuff and please come back!!!!!
11. I think soldiers will get to keep doing what they’ve been doing because this is all taken out of context – I hope!!!!!

(cross-posted at NOLA.com)
Update: Blackfive has some good points and comments going on this thread.
Update: Mat from Blackfive in the MSM