The American people have heard so many
conflicting stories about the attitudes
of the Iraqi people towards America, as
well as our soldiers' attitudes about
the war effort, that reporting such
stories has become a battleground in and
of itself.
There is no doubt that negative feedback
about the war is emphasized by the
mainstream media which, while accusing
legislators of politicizing the war, in
fact are as guilty, if not more, of
doing the same. Case in point: Cindy
Sheehan. Who would argue that the air
and print time given to this anti- war
poster-mom of the left wasn't
exhaustive? Yet hardly a mention has
been given to the Blue Star Moms and
others who have also lost sons in the
war, and have something to say, but from
a different point of view than Sheehan.
Let's not forget, the media made Cindy
Sheehan.
The headlines of major print media,
especially online where articles are
grouped by topic, could be enough to
make the less informed think we are
losing the war, that the effort and
sacrifice paid already by our troops
have been in vain. However, when you
read the stories themselves, very often
there's little substance to support the
headline accusations, once you get past
the spin.
That's why I like to read and hear it
from the Iraqi people, our soldiers, and
others who are not interested in
politicizing the war.
Such as Franklin Raff who reported in
his article,
"Media treachery in Iraq exposed!"
for WorldNetDaily, about the Iraqi
officer of significant rank who asked:
"Why do you people not tell our
story? Why do you not say what is
going on? Why don't you come to our
country and see what is happening,
you see the schools and the
hospitals and you see the markets
and you eat with Sunni and Shia
soldiers – everybody eats together,
everybody works together –you see
that Saddam is gone forever and we
are free to speak and complain. You
see we are working and eating
together and fighting together –
Sunni and Shia – you see what we are
building here, you see the votes we
make as one people. Then you say to
the world about a great war and
horrible things and how we are all
killing each other? We are not
animals! We are Iraqis. Look around
you! Look!"
And Officer Dan Maher of the New York
Police Department, who recently spent a
year helping to train an Iraqi police
force. He took a tape recorder with him
to record his experience, and NPR radio
recently interviewed him, also playing
short clips of what he captured on tape,
which you can hear
HERE.
He tells his experience straight, just
like it is. And many others have and are
doing the same, but their voices are
rarely heard.
I've interviewed several soldiers,
officers and journalists
who have been in Iraq, on my show since
the war began and they all echo Dan
Maher's attitude.
No one wants to go to war, except
aggressors who want to dominate the
world. Not soldiers. Not officers. Not
presidents. Not Americans. Not our
allies. Not any civilized people or
freedom-loving country. Nevertheless,
when the safety of the people is at
risk, both imminent and in the
foreseeable future, the brave and
understanding are willing to enter the
fray when necessary.
There have always been, and always will
be, the bullies of the world who will
not stop, unless they are stopped.
That's why war is a reality. And that's
why the great majority of us, who stay
at home while our troops defend us, are
so grateful for their effort on our
behalf. That's why "supporting our
troops" fighting the war on terror is
alive and well.
Oh, I know I'll get a ton of mail for
saying these things from those who
disagree. But I comfort myself with the
knowledge that the vast majority of
Americans wish there was no such thing
as war, but understand the consequences
of not standing up to the bullies of the
world. If you can say anything about
America, you can say this...we will not
be beaten in the school yard of the
world.
To those who think my comments are
ridiculous, let me ask you, what do you
think then of 9/11 terrorist,
Zacarias Moussaoui's statements
in court on Thursday, April 13th, 2006,
in answer to Prosecutor Rob Spencer's
questioning? ...
Spencer: "So you would be happy to see
9/11 again?"
Moussaoui: "Every day until we get you.
I'm glad there was pain, and I wish
there will be more pain."
Spencer: "So, you have no regret, no
remorse?"
Moussaoui: "No regret, no remorse. We
have an obligation to be the superpower.
You have to be subdued."
Is war a seamless operation? No. Is the
war in Iraq running smoothly? What does
that mean? War is hell! But, in the
midst of it all, because of the bravery
and sacrifice of our soldiers, much good
is happening to defend us at home and to
extend freedom in countries that have
not known freedom.
Who is telling the truth about the war
in Iraq? Those who don't have an axe to
grind. Those who are saying it like it
is...like it really is.
