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The Iraqi voices of reason and peace have been shamefully ignored by America's major print media and TV Networks. It is my opinion that the Liberal/Socialist political rhetoric reported as news, is just as deceptive and untruthful as the anti-American lies published in Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Syria. The demagoguery of the democrat leadership, in a time of war, is nothing short of giving aid and comfort to our enemies.

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To put their treasonous behavior in the proper context, I offer this quotation attributed to Ulysses Simpson Grant (April 27, 1822–July 23, 1885), 18th President of the United States of America (1869-1877); in Personal Memoirs, 1885–86.

"Experience proves that the man who obstructs a war in which his nation is engaged, no matter whether right or wrong, occupies no enviable place in life or history. Better for him, individually, to advocate ''war, pestilence, and famine,'' than to act as obstructionist to a war already begun. ... The most favorable posthumous history the stay-at-home traitor can hope for is—oblivion."—

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However, one voice in the print media [Associated Press] is different. KATARINA KRATOVAC, an Associated Press Writer, is one exception.

Below are excerpts from her recent news item entitled "Iraqi General Urges Support of U.S. Troops" The entire article can be read at:

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http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=535&u=/ap/20040516/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_fallujah&printer=1

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Iraqi General Urges Support of U.S. Troops

Sun May 16, 2:54 PM ET By KATARINA KRATOVAC, Associated Press Writer

FALLUJAH, Iraq - A former Saddam Hussein era general appointed by the Americans to lead an Iraqi security force in the rebellious Sunni stronghold of Fallujah urged tribal elders and sheiks Sunday to support U.S. efforts to stabilize Iraq.

“Retired Maj. Gen. Mohammed Abdul-Latif rose to prominence after nearly month long battles last month between the Marines month long battles in April between the Marines and insurgents hunkered down in Fallujah's neighborhoods.

"We can make them (Americans) use their rifles against us or we can make them build our country, it's your choice," Latif told a gathering of more than 40 sheiks, city council members and imams in an eastern Fallujah suburb. “ …

… “Latif, 66, a native of Baghdad, urged the elders to talk freely, citing the Muslim holy book, the Quran.

"The Quran says we should sit together, discuss and make a decision, but let it be the right decision, …"

The venue offered a rare insight into Latif's interactions and influence over Fallujah elders. As he spoke, many sheiks nodded in approval and listened with reverence to his words. Later, they clasped his hands and patted Latif on the back.

Latif, speaking in Arabic to the sheiks, defended the Marines and the U.S. occupation of Iraq. "They were brought here by the acts of one coward who was hunted out of a rathole — Saddam — who disgraced us all," Latif said. "Let us tell our children that these men (U.S. troops) came here to protect us.

"As President Bush said, they did not come here to occupy our land but to get rid of Saddam. We can help them leave by helping them do their job, or we can make them stay ten years and more by keeping fighting."

"Those bullets that are fired will not get the Americans out, let them finish their job here so that they can return to their country," Latif said.

"Our country is precious, stop allowing the bad guys to come from outside Iraq to destroy our country."

"Let us speak about peace," Latif said in English. "Fallujah was an open wound, now it's healing."

Ed

1 posted on 05/17/2004 11:21:38 AM PDT by eakole
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To: eakole
"We can make them (Americans) use their rifles against us or we can make them build our country, it's your choice,"

Quote of the year nominee. Wonder why we haven't heard it on the MSM? < /Naïve>

2 posted on 05/17/2004 11:24:39 AM PDT by Damocles (sword of...)
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To: eakole

I assume, from your coments, that the "headline" is yours. I understand your sentiments, and agree with them, but it puts the article out of context to an extent..


3 posted on 05/17/2004 11:25:25 AM PDT by ken5050 (Ann Coulter needs to have children ASAP to propagate her genes.....any volunteers?)
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To: eakole
"They were brought here by the acts of one coward who was hunted out of a rathole — Saddam — who disgraced us all," Latif said. "Let us tell our children that these men (U.S. troops) came here to protect us.

General Latif is the real deal. Just the fact that such men still exists in Irag gives me hope. He was, and is, a a true military man. That means he has a sense of honor and decency, even if he may not like the fact that we are currently occupying his country. I like this guy.

4 posted on 05/17/2004 11:30:03 AM PDT by arm958
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To: eakole
"As President Bush said, they did not come here to occupy our land but to get rid of Saddam. We can help them leave by helping them do their job, or we can make them stay ten years and more by keeping fighting."

A wise man. Help us root out the terrorists and we will be happy to go home.

5 posted on 05/17/2004 11:30:19 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (Even if the government took all your earnings, you wouldn't be, in its eyes, a slave.)
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To: eakole

Please include original titles.
Thanks.


6 posted on 05/17/2004 11:33:03 AM PDT by Admin Moderator
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To: eakole

His middle name was, "Simpson?"


7 posted on 05/17/2004 11:34:01 AM PDT by leadpenny
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To: eakole

bttt


8 posted on 05/17/2004 11:34:05 AM PDT by BibChr ("...behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD, so what wisdom is in them?" [Jer. 8:9])
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To: eakole

Well I think looking at the recent Boston Globe scandal the Left and media, but I repeat myself, have shown that printing lies that can be called nothing but treason are no problem for them if they believe it will help with their anti-Bush jihad.

Tokyo Rose = Boston Globe.


10 posted on 05/17/2004 11:34:47 AM PDT by swilhelm73
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To: eakole

Our media is in factually encouraging Iraqui's to sabotage US efforts to stabilize this country.
CNN's old agreement of allowing Saddam to control their news releases as the price to be paid to report from Saddam's Iraq is ongoing and continuing.
CNN figures to hold another "trustworthy" position as soon as US troops leave and the UN together with the French, Russians, Germans form a committee to re-build Iraq.
CNN then will have won, and gains a desperate need to up on Fox.


11 posted on 05/17/2004 11:42:18 AM PDT by hermgem
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To: eakole

Wow, this guy makes more sense - and gives us more credit - than anyone I've heard yet from the Iraqi side.


13 posted on 05/17/2004 11:51:51 AM PDT by Steve_Seattle ("Above all, shake your bum at Burton.")
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To: eakole
"We can make them (Americans) use their rifles against us or we can make them build our country, it's your choice," Latif told a gathering of more than 40 sheiks, city council members and imams in an eastern Fallujah suburb.

40 sheiks? We knew these people were coming to this meeting! Why didn't we put some bombs on the road and blow them up while they were on their way to the meeting? Or, better yet, once the meeting had started why didn't an American soldier have a bomb vest on and blow himself up? Maybe we should have grabbed all 40 of these guys then sawed their heads off with some long knives. Oh, we don't do things like that? We are civilized? OK. I forgot. Besides, we don't have anything cool to say if we did. Not that "Allah Akbar" is very cool. It's used too much, it's old and a big fat lie anyway. I wonder how you say "the moon god is great" in Arabic. That's a bit catchier.

These best we could do would have been to shove some ladies underwear over the sheiks heads and yell something like "Brittney Spears Boobs!" What? We can't even do that now either? Darn! How about a womans thong? Something like this would work for me. No? Can't do that either? Ted Kennedy said so. Doubl-darn! Oh, well. Nevermind!

16 posted on 05/17/2004 12:24:16 PM PDT by isthisnickcool (I'm isthisnickcool, and I approved this post!)
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To: eakole

I've longed for news like this. I'll wait to see if the words become deeds.

Until now, all news coming out of Iraq took two forms. One reported the shortcomings of our military. The other reported the good works of our troops in rebuilding Iraq. None reported a cooperative spirit of the Iraqi people. This is the first indication of willingness on the part of some Iraqis to assist our effort without the inducement of money.


18 posted on 05/17/2004 1:02:47 PM PDT by backtothestreets
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To: eakole
"As President Bush said, they did not come here to occupy our land but to get rid of Saddam. We can help them leave by helping them do their job, or we can make them stay ten years and more by keeping fighting."

We can always go back to fighting after the Americans leave - there's no doubt in my mind that, that's exactly what his listeners inferred.

Upside is that GWB may have learned something about the ME mindset that will help us handle post war Syria.

19 posted on 05/17/2004 1:11:43 PM PDT by Let's Roll (Kerry is a self-confessed unindicted war criminal or ... a traitor to his country in a time of war)
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To: All
I think this here has been overlooked;

"Our country is precious, stop allowing the bad guys to come from outside Iraq to destroy our country."

It seems to me it is still not clear who the heck we are fighting in the Sunni areas. The Shia terrorists are Iran's flunkies supplied and funded by Iran, but actually Iraqis.

What percentage of the Sunni terrorists are Iraqis? Syrians? Palestinians? I have a strong feeling that it is mostly the latter. There were quite a few of them in Iraq thanks to Saddam when we invaded, and as far as I know we took no steps to remove them.

Further, while Syria is certainly trying to destabilize Iraq, they've shown in the past a certain despicable level of brilliance in getting the Palis to do their dirty work for them...
21 posted on 05/17/2004 1:38:32 PM PDT by swilhelm73
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To: eakole; Ernest_at_the_Beach; MJY1288; xzins; Calpernia; TEXOKIE; Alamo-Girl; windchime; ...
"Those bullets that are fired will not get the Americans out, let them finish their job here so that they can return to their country," Latif said.

"Our country is precious, stop allowing the bad guys to come from outside Iraq to destroy our country."

"Let us speak about peace," Latif said in English. "Fallujah was an open wound, now it's healing."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Voice of reason (who knows he has a big enemy target on his back), ping!

22 posted on 05/17/2004 3:47:11 PM PDT by Ragtime Cowgirl
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To: eakole

I don't know how they found this guy, but I hope he's sincere and that there are others where he came from. I suppose he might show up in the new gov't.

This is better news than any story of US troops outgunning Iraqi insurgents.


24 posted on 05/17/2004 4:51:45 PM PDT by speekinout
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To: eakole
just repeating for emphasis and publicity:

"As President Bush (news - web sites) said, they did not come here to occupy
our land but to get rid of Saddam. We can help them leave by helping them do their
job, or we can make them stay ten years and more by keeping fighting."

Lt. Col. Brennan Byrne, the Marine battalion commander, said, "No truer words
have been spoken here today than those by General Latif."


I hope Latif stays alive and proves to have major infuluence.

A tip of the hat to Yahoo! News for publishing this...I've only heard of this
on a show on KFI radio here in Los Angeles.
29 posted on 05/18/2004 6:27:01 PM PDT by VOA
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