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"Bachelor" On Hunt For Human Remains

Posted Mar 20th 2008 10:01PM by TMZ Staff

Former "Bachelor" bachelor Andy Baldwin just got back from the island of Palau in the South Pacific -- not on vacation, on a mission with the Navy. Now let's talk about why we the taxpayers are footing the bill on such BS.

Baldwin was among 20 military types who were on a search mission in the middle of the ocean. What, you ask, were they looking for? A B-24J bomber that went down during the war. Not Iraq. Not Vietnam. No, not Korea. We're talking WWII, as in more than 60 years ago.

Turns out, the military spends $52 million each year to find the remains of missing soldiers -- it's part of the POW/MIA program. That's all well and good depending on the circumstances. But a crash that is ancient history, at a time when the economy sucks and the Federal government is sucking the life out of everyone with taxes??

Baldwin, a Navy medic and diver, and crew found what could be human remains. We're told it's all being tested in the lab and it could take months, even years, to determine identities. At least he got a really good tan.

Andy Baldwin -- click to launch

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931. First of all the economy aint that bad. Secondly Yes we are paying confiscatory taxes, mostly for irrelevant social programs. It is a Nations duty to collect its dead and missing. We must honor those that have served and paid the price both living and dead.

Posted at 8:27AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Fran Blanton

932. I cannot believe what I am reading. I am not American but i am an ex serviceman who has served alongside US forces and have currently serving friends in the US, Brit and Australian Armies. This is a cheap and thoughtless headline grab. If it is good enough for a nation to send young men and women to foreign battlefields in defence of their nation then you as a nation owe them such a small return as this to recover their remains. In the scheme of the economy as a whole this is a small price to pay to bring solace to the families and relatives of war victims.
I am disgusted you could even raise this issue in the selfish, thoughtless and insular way that you have.
Get a real life and grow up. The real world has so much to offer.
Al

Posted at 5:46PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Al Bowie

933. How much would TMZ spend to get the remains of one of their so called reporters back??? That would be a waste of money if you ask me.

Posted at 7:48PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Michelle

934. It just shows what this world has come to when there are free people with too much to eat and too many things free fuss about finding someone who gave their life so that we can have such people as you that think this is wrong. Thank God, you are still in the miniroity and hopefully getting fewer as we speak. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND WHAT IT REALLY STANDS FOR. OUR MILITARY IS STILL OUR BEST ASSET NEXT TO OUR LORD.!

Posted at 8:38PM on Mar 24th 2008 by mimi jones

935. Hey TMZ! Not only did that Vet whose remains they are searching for ensure the freedom of speech you used to criticize the recovery effort, he may have altered history enough to enable your mom and dad to meet.
You probably didn't say boo about the Congressional steroid hearings because that was 'scandal' fodder for your normal inane diatribes.

Posted at 2:33PM on Mar 25th 2008 by klactoo

936. My Dad made it home alive from WW2. His cousin did not. Many of his classmates did not. Those men gave more than tax dollars for their country. The least we can do is try to give their remains an honorable final resting place. Their families deserve closure. Perhaps after someone makes a overly graphic hit movie about what the Japanese did to the prisoners on Palau, TMZ might have a reality check and wake up. The x on a photo my Uncle sent home showed the spot where they burned the prisoners to death with flame throwers.....

Posted at 11:36PM on Mar 24th 2008 by Brent

937. For military men fighting in a desperate situation or captured and held in abusive conditions, one of their greatest fears is that they will die and their family will never know what happenned to them. When you give everything you've got for your country, the least your country can do is bring you home. $52 million is nothing. Hillary Clinton wants to spend more than that on a museum honoring the Woodstock concert. If you have ever followed the stories of the remains of long dead soldiers brought home, you would see how it helps heal the family members and the community. America does not consider its soldiers disposable, as you do. There is an implicit pact between the country and its military that neither will let the other down.

You know nothing of this because you're young and stupid and shallow. You've never been entrusted with great responsibility as these long dead heroes have, and you never will. You know nothing greater than yourself, and you are the lesser for it. Likewise, your loyalties are fleeting, held only to that which immediately rewards you. That's why you willl come to nothing. Because you hold loyalty so cheaply, nobody will be loyal to you.

The freedom you have to say any damned silly thing that pops in your head was bought with the lives of the very dead you mock. I pity you for the empty lives you lead and the hollow values you espouse. You are a free rider on a nation built and guarded by better men than you. When you die, nobody will give a damn about you because you never gave a damn about anything or anybody. That's why the men you anted up their lives for their country deserve respect and you don't.

Posted at 9:51AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Steve Gregg

938. If TMZ didn't waste so much money on reporting insignificant and who cares subjects regarding stars, etc. they could make a sizeable donation and difference to the families of MIAs, in recent conflicts....(since "old" missing military soldiers don't seem to be valued by them)...distasteful, callous, impertinent are just a few of the adjectives I can tastefully use to describe TMZ's remarks....not better yet...SCREW THEM

Posted at 3:50AM on Mar 25th 2008 by sac

939. No man left behind

Posted at 11:45AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Ryan

940. TMZ, Spend a few years in the Military and then come and talk to me. Sounds to me like you need a serious "attitude adjustment.."

Posted at 5:04PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Rich H.

941. For more information on the private, self funded team that located the B24 in question please see:
www.BentProp.org and www.LastFlightHome.org

Blue Skies
JPowers

Posted at 11:49PM on Mar 25th 2008 by Jpowers

942. TO TMZ STAFF - the whole reason you enjoy your freedom to write such blather is because we lost american soldiers in WWII after Japan declared war by attacking Pearl Harbor. Are you really that stupid? Oh, I have an idea. Let's take away your rights and torture you and your innocent family by BEHEADING you in front of your loved ones. You are a total idiot for making such comments. Take a walk through Arlington Cemetery outside DC or any military cemetery for that matter, maybe you will get one small idea of the amount of people that fought for your freedom. You make me sick!!!!

Posted at 1:07AM on Mar 26th 2008 by TMZSTAFFobviouslydoesnotappreciatefreedom

943. AWESOME PICS BY REALSCOOP THANKS !!!!

Posted at 12:21AM on Mar 26th 2008 by mary

944. My faith in people has just been restored!!!! I am extremely heartened by the reaction on this board in support of the military activity to find our dead/missing soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Bringing them home to the country they gave their lives for is absolutely the right thing to do---to do otherwise would be a travesty. TMZ, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Posted at 1:32PM on Mar 27th 2008 by beachgal

945. I COMMEND THEM

Posted at 9:48PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Beverly Hill

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