May 14, 2004

Lying Liars and the Lies They Tell (aka Liberal Lying Media)

R received this from Dave's dad just a few moments ago. You simply must read it. Must. The emphasis is my own.

The enclosed is from Captain Ben Connable, the intelligence deputy for the US 1st Marine Division, in charge of the western al-Anbar province. Something recent and encouraging, for a change. It came in this morning.

From: Ben Connable
Subject: Reorienting and Driving Forward

As you all probably know by now, we are turning Fallujah over to the Iraqis. This will give us an opportunity to focus on other areas, and hopefully to build a new Iraqi Army with some of the folks that are feeling alienated right now. We're all painfully aware of the various issues associated with this move, but there's no point in discussing them. We'll make this work, just like we make everything else work to the best of our ability. The Marines fought hard in Fallujah and took a lot of very evil people out of the fight. That effort, and the associated loss of Marine lives, was not in vain. We're already seeing a significant decrease in the enemy's ability to attack our forces. The supply lines are open again and everything is flowing freely through the country. Their efforts to cut us of in order to break our willpower failed. The Iraqi people are tired of the enemy and they are turning them over to us left and right.

I'm going to discuss a subject that I know does not apply to most of you... We're reading that everyone back home is starting to lose faith in our efforts in Iraq. The last CBS poll put the numbers under 50% for the first time. I know that doesn't mean a loss in support for the troops, but supporting "the troops" while not supporting the mission doesn't do much for us. If we're over here for nothing then vague "support the troops" statements carry little weight. The Marines are in high spirits. The troops in Fallujah are doing what Marines do best, and they're true professionals. Everyone else is driving forward, wondering what all the fuss back home is all about. We don't feel that we're losing anything - in fact, we're finally addressing issues that should have been addressed some time ago. The world seems to have forgotten what war looks like. It's not supposed to be pretty and happy. Force is used to kill those who are perpetrating evil on the people of Iraq. The images need to be put in perspective, something the news agencies just don't have time for.

It would be interesting to see someone track all the dire accounts and predictions that were issued over the past three weeks to see if they've been accurate. I read reports that we were cut off and couldn't get supplies. Reality: Not true, they failed. A popular revolution was taking place in the south and Sadr was leading a new Shia revolt. Reality: Not true. Shia militia are killing Sadr's folks in Najaf because they don't respect him and they're sick of him. He's the same buffoon he was last month. Fallujah would ignite the Arab world (how many times have we heard that one). Reality: Despite the best efforts of Al-Jazira to make us look like Atilla the Hun, there has been no explosion of populist anger. The same problems exist that existed last month - no better, no worse.

Please pass the word that we're doing great and the Marines are victorious in every battle. The enemy is a disconcerted, disparate group of disenfranchised dissemblers who have little power outside the realm of localized intimidation and the support of complicit al-Jazira reporters. We will be able to settle this place down and help the Iraqi people back on their feet if we're able to ignore the hysteria on T.V. and recall the national willpower we had in the 1940's. What happened to our country? Have we really become so addled and weak-willed that we can't stick something out through a little rough patch?

I have faith that we'll get the backing we need to finish our work in Iraq.

Please have that faith with me and support our mission as much as you support our Marines.

Semper Fidelis -

Ben


Posted by Rae at May 14, 2004 12:25 AM | TrackBack
Comments

Thank you Z and King-of-Fools for the trackback. I really wish that all of America could read this. Unfortunately, I think it easier to remember ten lies than one word of truth.

Posted by: Rae at May 14, 2004 12:46 PM

I just read this and I thank you very much. I came by the way of Dean's World.

Posted by: Janelle Cruea at May 15, 2004 06:01 AM

You are so welcome. I am really thankful to Dave's parents for sharing with us any and all letters and other information they receive.

I will post anything I receive from them in hopes that any cruising American might read them and re-think what television news, newspapers, magazines, and talk radio is saying.

Thank you for stopping by and please, come again, you are welcome anytime.

Posted by: Rae at May 15, 2004 09:05 AM

Yes, that Liberal Media just keeps reporting those Civilian Casualties!!

Accounts of Atrocities Emerge from the Rubble of Fallujah!?

What are they thinking?

Posted by: Damon at May 17, 2004 12:41 PM

Damon,
Where the media errs, is in not reporting that the larger percentage of Iraqis want this liberation and are deeply grateful for the coalition forces.

They also err in their accounts of how events actually took place. Investigative reporting doesn't just quote someone- they substantiate claims. "That liberal media" hasn't done so in their reports.

How did the doctor know that it was a Marine Sniper that shot through the main doors of the hospital? Did the journalist seek access to the Marines to question them about this? What if the story from the Marines was different?

I could be wrong about this and will do some investigating, but a Marine sniper shoots to kill, not to damage or simply frighten and cause alarm. That was my first clue that something was amiss in this story.


Why did Jabur leave the body in the street for 6 days? He was trapped in his home, but not by American Marines. His own country men are sniping and killing and wreaking havoic in bullying attempts of causing those supportive of the coalition to give up hope. Why doesn't the reporter also question Jabur why, if it was Marines (or soldiers, they are different forces), they felt the need to fire on their vehicle? It seems soem facts are either not told to Mr. Jamail, or he is leaving them out. The Marine Corps doesn't tolerate disobedience to orders, and far less a vigilante course of action.

I would like to hear your comments on the exact point that someone who is actually there fighting for the freedom of this people from an oppressive government (and an insurgent group trying to re-establish one). When I read the two accounts, and know that the journalist didn't report authentically or with true objectivism or in an investigative manner, I am more likely to believe Capt. Connable.

I thank you for your dissenting comments, but ask you to leave sarcasm behind. Please come again.

Posted by: Rae at May 17, 2004 01:41 PM

Thank you for the thoughtful response...I forget my manners in the daily blog-bile. I'm looking for balanced accounts of the Fallujah battles, but unfortunately they are hard to come by. I suppose the battle carries over to the reporting, with sympathies clashing amongst the observers. Regardless of my opinion, I know that both sides are suffering in this conflict, and I hope that it will soon come to a conclusion.

Posted by: Damon at May 17, 2004 04:38 PM

Damon,
No problem. I am glad you commented. I think that iron sharpens iron and disenting opinions are good to hear.

Your concern is one that I hold, as well.

The point of the letter is to emphasize that the troops need support in their missions, too. When a Marines and soldier lose heart, they lose perspective and aim and accidents can happen.

Imagine working your best and getting paid minimally for it and your boss and co-workers say they like you, but that they don't like your work...

Posted by: Rae at May 17, 2004 04:50 PM

Well, "bonquser2000", let me ask you a few questions....have you been to the front lines? Are you in or have you been to Fallujah? Why is is that when we were in Vietnam, we listened to the military, but now, because it isn't fitting the liberal left's agenda (and believe me, you are very much a part of their agenda) we dismiss their first hand accounts as "spin and lies."

Are you personally aquainted with any person currently in Iraq? Please share their personal words (not lifted from internet sources) and then verify their accounts, as I have done here.

Please come back but with a mind and fingers ready to intelligently discuss this issue, and please refrain from sarcasm and uneccesary swearing.

Yes, I have deleted your comment due the nasty name you gave yourself. Speak openly, with true links, and integrity of internet character (as in not just trolling for the democratic "spin"), then you may post without deletion.

Posted by: Rae at May 19, 2004 01:48 PM

P.S. I offer verification of my accusation of your trolling, because I know that you found me by entering Capt. Connable's name into a search engine (Google). May I ask what lead you to do so? How you came about his name specifically? Will you have the decency to answer honestly? Come back when you can and when you are able to meet my above stated requirements. I hide behind no psuedonym, why do you?

Posted by: Rae at May 19, 2004 01:57 PM

I told you that when you can comment with your real name and your real e-mail, then your comments will be taken seriously. I have banned you.

Posted by: Rae at May 19, 2004 06:24 PM

I just read CAPTAIN Ben Connable's article is yesterday's, Wed, 5/19/04, "A Marine Sees What Defeatists Don't" and it was great. I'm a Navy Captain stationed in DC and see many of the things Captain Connable sees. The majority of the things occurring in Iraq are good and of course, they are never reported on. I truly believe that the media want to do anything that will cause America to look bad in the sight of the world, truly a sad commentary on those who purportedly are supposed to tell the truth. thanks for the website. Arlis

Posted by: Arlis Ethridge at May 20, 2004 11:40 AM

Thank you for your comments, Arliss, and welcome. Come anytime.

Posted by: Rae at May 22, 2004 01:04 PM
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