In response to my recent posting...

I have been advised by my legal advisors - Dewey, Cheatum & Howe, whom I apparently share with Click & Clack Tappet and at least one other well known public figure, to release the following statement after the picture of me with the "Combat Hooters Girls" was released on this blog. I have altered the statement DC& H provided because I suspect it was not created specifically for my situation, although I did receive their legal support at a significantly reduced rate from their normal billable hours.

From COL Chris Benson, Baghdad, Iraq:

As you all know, I had a single-car accident picture taken earlier this week, and sustained some injuries written abuse. I have some cuts, bruising and right now I'm pretty sore stinging ears, tear-filled eyes and hurt feelings.

This situation is my somebody else's fault, and it's obviously embarrassing to my family and me. I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again (unless the Combat Hooters Girls want their picture with me again).

This is a private matter and I want to keep it that way (except for this public statement released on this blog). Although I understand there is curiosity, the many false, unfounded and malicious rumors ('Benson wanted his picture taken with pretty girls half his age') that are currently circulating about my family and me are irresponsible.

The only person responsible for the accident incident is me the Hooters girl who approached me and tricked me into joining the other five girls half my age. My wife, Elin Sandy, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me (understand that the picture could be misinterpreted as something I sought and seemed to enjoy being in, which is a total misunderstanding and irresponsible on anyone's behalf who mistakenly interpreted the situation in that way; shame on you). Any other assertion (like - she threatened to beat me with a nine iron or any other golf club, and/or make me sleep in my new, poorly heated and furnished workshop/man lair) is absolutley false.

This incident has been stressful and very difficult for Elin me, our family and me (me, twice, on purpose, to show how stressful this has been for me). I appreciate all the concern and well wishes that we have received (your many offers to enlist in the Army to join me in this stressful combat situation does not help however). But, I would also ask for some understanding that my family and I deserve some privacy no matter how intrusive some people can be (I'm not sure what DC&H was going for here, but yeah, give me privacy, except for what I publish in the BenRep, despite your intrusive-ness-city.)

Grace, peace and privacy -
Chris