IRAG? IS IT WORTH IT?

Again, I have heard the defeatist use the word “quagmire” in reference to our war in Iraq. We have lost over 1000 men and women and we are losing more everyday. Well, folks we are at war. We are fighting World War III against overwhelming odds and against an enemy that has no country but is spread throughout the world. It’s a tough job. I grieve for every soldier we lose and I grieve for his or her families and friends. But we have no choice.

IRAQ. IS IT WORTH IT? By Steve Newton

I have also heard a phrase lately, mostly from peace activists, that “they support our troops but are against the war.” This is frighteningly similar to the talk surrounding Vietnam. How can you be “for” our troops but against their mission without damaging the morale of the very military you claim to support?

A Marine Major sums it up well:

The actions of our armed forces are rightfully subject to scrutiny. I am not ignorant of the political issues, either. But as a professional, I have the luxury of putting politics aside and focusing on the task at hand. Protecting people from terrorists and criminals while building schools and lasting friendships is a good mission, no matter what brush it's tarred with. Nothing any talking head will say can deter me or my fellow Marines from caring about the people of Iraq, or take away from the sacrifices of our comrades. Fear in the face of adversity is human nature, and many people who take the counsel of their fears speak today. We are not deaf to their cries; neither do we take heed. All we ask is that Americans stand by us by supporting not just the troops, but also the mission. We'll take care of the rest.

Maj. Ben Connable is serving as a foreign-area officer and intelligence officer with the 1st Marine Division.

The Armed Forces are keenly aware of what the talking heads and the liberals are saying. When someone such as Ted Kennedy calls the Iraqi war a “quagmire” and calls for our immediate withdrawal, in my opinion this is giving aid and comfort to the enemy because that is exactly what they want us to do.

What a lot of our fellow Americans are having a hard time understanding, is the strategic importance of Iraq and Afghanistan in our 20 year war on terrorism. The war in Iraq was not only to free 25 million people, to remove one of histories most notorious dictators or to remove the possibility of Sadam handing the terrorist WMD’s, it was also to place ourselves in a position directly next door to Iran, Syria and yes even Saudi Arabia. (Not too far from our Chinese friends either)

Fighting a war is never about just one objective. A good military strategist will think ahead to our struggles with future adversaries. Position and logistics are the most important elements in planning for war. We are fighting a world war and we must position ourselves to prosecute it. The effects are already being seen from our being in a strategic position. Libya was the first to go and I have a feeling Syria will not last long.

A strike on, and possible war with, Iran is inevitable. A nuclear Iran is unacceptable just as I believe a nuclear North Korea is unacceptable. We made enough mistakes and believed enough lies in regard to North Korea, that we now find ourselves unable to solve the situation except through negotiations with a country that for 50 years we have been unable to agree on ANYTHING. This cannot and must not repeat itself with Iran.

And where are the good stories coming out of Iraq? Where are the interviews with the Iraqi people? Well, let me give you a few examples of things you will NOT hear of the news:

Letters from Iraqis

Hail our true friends, the Great People of the United States of America; The Freedom giving Republic, the nation of Liberators. Never has the world Known such a nation, willing to spill the blood of her children and spend the treasure of her land even for the sake of the freedom and well being of erstwhile enemies.

The tree of friendship is going to grow and grow and bear fruit as sure as day follows night. And the people deep down at the bottom of their hearts, they appreciate. Make no mistake about that. The people have voted today, the pulse of the street is clear, without any hesitation I would give 90% of all Iraqis are hopeful and supportive of the new government, and this is a tacit indirect yes to the U.S. which has been the prime mover of all these events. This is what the foolish fail to understand. Why is this a different situation from that for example of a Vietnam?

The answer is very simple: Because, the U.S. has achieved something very popular around here; which is the removal of the Saddam regime.

Those who are really against the U.S. from amongst the Iraqis have been and remain a small minority; all other forms of resentment are simply disappointment and disgruntlement resulting from the discomfiture of the present situation and will simply disappear with progress and gradual improvement-- Aala

Thank you united state of America for your great Job you done here . Thank you coalitions forces for you brave work and supporting good. Thank you all Brave mans, who lost their life here, and your bloods will be the river of hope for us.

Thank you all good friends out there ,thank you for being with us all the way , minute by minute ,day by day ,living our sadness and happiness , standing beside us ,encouraging us Supporting us ,worry about us ,we always felt that you are there beside us ,with us . Thank you all brave Iraqis who stand out there to fight for better future and freedom.

I will go now to celebrate with all people for these happy moments, it has been long time since we celebrate .

-- Sarmad

Our hope and our goal is to see the day when we can elect our representatives freely and more important is to be aware that the process is moving as we wish and there will be no room for those who dream of bringing back the past.

I can see only one bright road and I believe that going to the end is worth the sacrifice and we’ll never be discouraged by the dark pictures shown by the evil propaganda machines.

To me, we didn’t get rid of a military occupation today as I never considered the coalition’s presence as an occupation even if the whole world told me that I’m wrong. Today we were freed forever from the fear that a man and his family might once again control Iraq.

-- Mohammed

Letter from a Marine in Iraq:

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 purposely 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 use of military force. 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 fighting the war of perception. So I'm asking you as a fellow fighting man: do your duty. Stop the attempts of the enemy wherever you are. You are a mighty force for good, because truth is on your side. Together we will win this fight and ensure a better world for the future.

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

So, do I think it’s worth it? Yes I do. To leave now would mean that all the lives we have sacrificed would have been in vain. Our honor would be tarnished and the lives of millions of people would again be held hostage to evil. And we must fight the fight on the home front against people that tarnish our soldiers and their mission. Yes, my friend. It is worth it. Just asked the people who wrote these letters.

A special thank you to the casual conservative And God bless Lt. Nofsinger

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.