Seems like even party loyalty does not supercede the truth of the eyes for some.

[Epidemic]

I find it interesting that some in the democratic party can see past their almost blind loyalty to the Truth.

Everyone who goes to the country of Iraq seems to come back with the same conclusion. A conclusion which flies in the face of the media coverage and the democrat presidential candidates.

These are goals worthy of a fight, of sacrifice, of more lives lost now to save thousands, perhaps tens or hundreds of thousands in the future. In Mosul last Monday, a colonel in the 101st Airborne put it to me quite simply: "Sir, this is worth doing." No one I spoke with said anything different. And I spoke with all ranks.

But there will be more Blumbergs killed in action, many more. So it is worth doing only if we have a reasonable chance of success. And we do, but I'm afraid the news media are hurting our chances. They are dwelling upon the mistakes, the ambushes, the soldiers killed, the wounded, the Blumbergs. Fair enough. But it is not balancing this bad news with "the rest of the story," the progress made daily, the good news. The falsely bleak picture weakens our national resolve, discourages Iraqi cooperation and emboldens our enemy.

I agreeeeeeeeee!


The falsely bleak picture weakens our national resolve, discourages Iraqi cooperation and emboldens our enemy

This threatens to make all the sacrifices of iraqi and US soldier alike, completely worthless!

[daveleau]

This is so true. Good find.

[shahani]

I don't believe a word of it.

Seems like cheep propaganda to make Bush look good.

Nothing will make him look good after what he's done.

[Epidemic]

The abysmal failure of the US troops to win the Iraqi people is the news. However, I fail to see what anyone could have expected we entered a country, inflicted collateral damage, occupied it and are forced to be strict rulers. But have we failed to win the hearts of the people is the question. Considering our position as the Christian force occupying and ruling a Muslim holy land do these numbers indicate failure?

By the tales I have heard of our returning forces from Iraq I would say that these numbers are erroring on the side of cautious at best. Returning troops come back with an overwhelming sense of having done right and of cautious support of Iraqi people (what more could you expect).

Yes, there are those who throw bombs, who wish to destabilize the country for their own political power agenda, and some who do it for home and country, even some who do it simply for religion. But by the scope of the attacks in a country of 26,000,000 where our troops are outnumbered nearly 200 to 1 it would not appear to be the popular sentiment.

The real news story is not that America is hated by some Iraqis, it is that it is that we have won many of the Iraqi hearts, in spite of tremendous odds. That we are able to bridge mistrust, cultural divides and win support on any appreciable scale is awesome.


Shahani, you do not believe a word of it because you can't see past blind hatred of Bush. You have convinced yourself and nothing will allow you to see past that. You live in the world of the conspiracy theory and hidden agendas. Although I will not say our war with Iraq was completly altruistic, I will not concede that it was all about oil, revenge, or political aspirations.

Am I missing something, Shahani? I don't remember anyone mentioning Bush above your post?

[shahani]

These false stories are cropping up everywhere to make Bush look good.

What other motive can there be?

The article in Epidemic post is written by one retired military person who went on a "fact-finding" mission and is accompanying a body bag.

Do you expect such people to write objectively about what is happening in Iraq?

As much as I'd expect you and Ep to see eye to eye, but come on, can you leave a Bush conspiracy theory out of just one thing for a day?

[shahani]

OK, one day.

No more.

Its gonna be tough.

But for you, anything.

Dunno about Senior Distinguished Member Epidemic, though. He's gonna keep hitting me.

Ep is a big kitty cat. You'll be okay.

Anyway, enough off-topic rambling.

Hey, I'm currently unemployed. Who wants to contribute to the "Send Whir to Iraq for a first hand, objective view on the realities of war so he can write an article for TIMO" fund?

[shahani]

I'll chip in $100.

If you don't take money from Epidemic.

'Cause that may bias you.