May 11, 2004

From Marine 1st Lt. Robert L. Nofsinger USMC Ramadi, Iraq

A Plea from a Marine in Iraq


By Robert Nofsinger

FrontPageMagazine.com | April 27, 2004


Hello Everyone, I am taking time to ask you all for your help.


First off, I'd like to say that this is not a political message. I'm not concerned about domestic politics right now. We have much bigger things to deal with, and we need your help.

It seems that despite the tremendous and heroic efforts of the men and women serving here in Iraq to bring much needed peace and stability to this region, we are losing the war of perception with the media and American people. Our enemy has learned that the key to defeating the mighty American military is by swaying public opinion at home and abroad. We are a people that cherish the democratic system of government and therefore hold the will of the people in the highest regard. We love to criticize ourselves almost to an endless degree, because we care what others think. Our enemies see this as a weakness and are trying to exploit it.


When we ask ourselves questions like, "Why do they hate us?" or "What did we do wrong?" we are playing into our enemies' hands. Our natural tendency to question ourselves is being used against us to undermine our effort to do good in the world. How far would we have gotten if after the surprise attacks on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, we would have asked, "Why do the Japanese hate us so much?" or "How can we change ourselves so that they won't do that again?" Here in Iraq the enemy is trying very hard to portray our efforts as failing and fruitless. They kill innocents and desecrate their bodies in hopes that the people back home will lose the will to fight for liberty. They are betting on our perceived weakness as a thoughtful, considerate people. Unfortunately our media only serves to further their cause.


In an industry that feeds on ratings and bad news, a failure in Iraq would be a goldmine. When our so-called "trusted" American media takes a quote from an Iraqi doctor as the gospel truth over that of the men and women that are daily fighting to protect the right to freedom of press, you know something is wrong. That doctor claimed that out of 600 Iraqis, that were casualties of the fighting, the vast majority of them were women, children and the elderly. This is totally absurd. In the history of man, no one has spent more time and effort, often to the detriment of our own mission, to be more discriminate in our targeting of the enemy than the American military. The Marines and Soldiers serving in Iraq have gone through extensive training in order to limit the amount of innocent casualties and collateral damage.


Yet, despite all of this, our media consistently sides with those who openly lie and directly challenge the honor of our brave heroes fighting for liberty and peace. What we have to remember is that peace is not defined as an absence of war. It is the presence of liberty, stability, and prosperity. In the face of the horrendous tyranny of the former Iraqi regime, the only way true peace was able to come to this region was through force. That is what the American Revolution was all about. Have we forgotten? Freedom is not free and "peace" without principle is not peace. The peace that so-called "peace advocates" support can only be brought to Iraq through the military. And we are doing it, if only the world will let us! If the American people believe we are failing, even if we are not, then we will ultimately fail.


That is why I am asking for your support. Become a voice of truth in your community. Wherever you are fight the lies of the enemy. Don't buy into the pessimism and apathy that says, "It's hopeless," "They hate us too much," "That part of the world is just too messed up," "It's our fault anyway," "We're to blame," and so forth. Whether you're in middle school, working at a 9-5 job, retired, or a stay-at-home mom you can make a huge difference! There is nothing more powerful than the truth. So, when you watch the news and see doomsday predictions and spiteful opinions on our efforts over here, you can refute them by knowing that we are doing a tremendous amount of good. Spread the word. No one is poised to make such an amazing contribution to the everyday lives of Iraqis and the rest of the Arab world than the American Armed Forces. By making this a place where liberty can finally grow, we are making the whole world safer. Your efforts at home are directly tied to our success. You are the soldiers at home fightäô


God Bless and Semper Fidelis, 1st Lt. Robert L. Nofsinger USMC Ramadi, Iraq

Posted by Rae at May 11, 2004 09:58 PM
Comments

The media is crap. It is not NEWS they report. It is their version of it. And I am so sick of their plea "the public has a right to know".

Posted by: GrumpyBunny at May 12, 2004 10:12 AM

GB, ITA.

I used to listen to NPR frequently; actually daily. I knew they were a bit liberal, but I still enjoyed hearing that perspective from an intelligent reporter.

The last few months, they make me sick.

Posted by: Rae at May 12, 2004 12:07 PM

the news does not alway's tell the truth bout whats going on over there,
i for one say our guy's are doing a great job,
for all they have to go through,
my thoughts and prayers are with them all,
semperFi

Posted by: peggy at June 5, 2004 01:28 AM

This is the sort of message our media should be giving out, the stories from the troops that show the positive side.

I have been to many Support Our Troops rallies in Washington State, one by Ft. Lewis, our men and women deserve our support and this letter deserves the distribution.

Thanks.

Posted by: phylum at June 5, 2004 09:11 PM

For those reporters and journalists who have the audacity to portray our American military in a negative light while practicing one of the basic freedoms (freedom of press)that those in the armed forces have allowed them to do by keeping and securing us our freedom, is nothing shy of disgraceful. There is always ugliness and tragedy in war this in unavoidable. To those in the press I remind you of a simple lesson you all probably heard from your mothers or care givers as a child, "If you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all". Shame on you! To those brave warriors fighting for our country, I say a deep heart felt thank you and pray for your safe and speedy return home.

An American Mother

Posted by: Angie Vanderbos at June 8, 2004 08:25 AM

Yes, I agree. It is said that one recalls more acurately negative information rather than positive and I am hoping that by posting "Truth from the Front" that this can override the media's attempts to undermine our president, the men and women of the military, and our country's resolve to be light in the darkness.

Posted by: Rae at June 8, 2004 10:48 AM

Condemn the war; support our troops.

Posted by: Mister Cynical at July 6, 2004 02:39 PM

usa is the only country who has relatively honest government compared to most of foreign countries,strong leader, confidence of free world system and willing to send their troops to conflict region of the world to secure settlement of peace.
remember! there is no free freedom.
yourcountry made great history during past 20th centry and for sure,will make another in this 21st century,too.
thank you!
seo from south korea,the present business man and ROK army retiree.

Posted by: seo at November 16, 2004 10:04 AM

Seo, thank you so much for your comment and for reminding us all that our government is more trustworthy than so many others and we are a blessed nation.

Posted by: Rae at November 16, 2004 01:33 PM

the US defence force in IRAQ is fighting forthe worlds freedom and AUSTRALIA is helping with that job.you are either on our side or against us.

Posted by: neil hammett at January 28, 2005 05:54 PM

Neil- good point. Thanks for reading and commenting. Come back often.

Posted by: Rae at January 28, 2005 05:58 PM
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