Falluja: A View from the Inside

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/22/04 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The Falluja you see on TV night after night is not the real Falluja, according to an Army chaplain now serving in Iraq.

In a letter in the current Weekly Intelligence Notes published by the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, the writer asks why this troubled city is on the news every night. His answer: "Because it is one of the few places in all of Iraq where trouble exists."

He goes on to note that while Iraq has 25 million people and is the size of California, Falluja and surrounding towns total just 500,000 people. "Do the math: that's not a big percentage of Iraq. How many people were murdered last night in L.A.? Did it make headline news? Why not?"

According to the writer, the Coalition isn't alone in having trouble with Falluja. Saddam, he says "could not and did not control Falluja."

Instead, Saddam "bought off those he could, killed those he couldn't and played all leaders against one another. It was and is a 'difficult' town. Nothing new about that.

"What is new is that outside people have come in to stir up unrest. How many are there is classified, but let me tell you this: there are more people in the northeast Minneapolis gangs than there are causing havoc in Falluja. Surprised?"

In light of all this, why, he asks is Falluja getting such massive media coverage? He goes on to explain that "the major news outlets have camera crews permanently posted in Falluja."

As a result, if terrorists from outside Iraq are looking for air time to promote their cause, where would they go to terrorize, bomb, mutilate and destroy, knowing their atrocities will be broadcast around the world instantly? The answer: "Falluja."

That being the case, why does the situation seem to be getting worse?

Iraq, ruled by the socialist Ba’ath party, became a welfare state under Saddam. "If you cared about your welfare, you towed the line or died. The state did your thinking and your bidding. Want a job? Pledge allegiance to the Ba’ath party. Want an apartment, a car, etc? Show loyalty. Electricity, water, sewage, etc. was paid by the state. Go with the flow: life is good. Don't and you're dead. Now, what does that do to initiative? drive? industry?"

Thanks to this sordid history, when we came along and locked up their sugar daddy we gave the people "the toughest challenge in the world; freedom. You want a job? Earn it! A house? Buy it or build it! Security? Build a police force, army and militia and give it to yourself. Risk your lives and earn freedom.

"The good news is that millions of Iraqis are doing just that, and some pay with their lives. But many, many are struggling with freedom (just like East Germans, Russians, Czechs, etc.) and they want a sugar daddy, the U.S.A., to do it all. We refuse. We don't want to be plantation owners. We make it clear we are here to help, not own or stay. They get mad about that, sometimes."

Despite all this, the writer says in Falluja, "the supposed hotbed of dissent in Iraq, countless Iraqis tell our psy-opers they want to cooperate with us but are afraid the thugs will slit their throats or kill their kids. A bad gang can do that to a neighborhood and a town. That's what is happening here."

Adding to the problem is the military situation: the largest battle hand-off in recent American history with the Army "passing the baton to the Marines in this area.

There is uncertainty among the populace and misinformation being given out by the bad guys. As a result there is insecurity and the bad guys are testing the resolve of the Marines and indirectly you, the American people.

"The bad guys are convinced that Americans have no stomach for a long haul effort here. They want to drive us out of here and then resurrect a dictatorship of one kind or another."

He concludes by asking "what do we do?" and answers "Stay the course. The Marines will get into a battle rhythm and, along with other forces and government agencies, they will drive the thugs across the border and set the conditions for the Fallujans to join the freedom parade or rot in their lack of initiative.

"Either way, the choice will be theirs. The alternative? Turn tail, pull out and leave a power vacuum that will suck in all of Iraq's neighbors and spark a civil war that could make Rwanda look like a misdemeanor.

"Hey, America, don't go weak kneed on us: 585 dead American's made an investment here. That's a whole lot less than were killed on American highways last month. Their lives are honored when we stay the course and do the job we came to do; namely, set the conditions for a new government and empower these people to be the great nation they are capable of being."

[Burkeman1]

Finish what job in Iraq? Making them "democratic" or "killing them all"? I see both opinions on this site.

[Amelia]

just how many Americans have to die in Iraq before we leave?

If we left today, they'd have all died for nothing. Is that what you want?

[danamco]

Despite the shabiness and sickness of comparing American war dead in Iraq to auto fatalities and random crime violence in America- just how many Americans have to die in Iraq before we leave?


How many died in the civil war. IWW, IIWW, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf-war I, Kosova, etc.?
To my knowledge it's not only Americans who is being killed (Coalition?)!

[native texan]

The following is an e-mail from one of our troups to one of the doctors in a VA hospital in TN:

"I can only imagine the horrors that are being shown on the news now,especially in light of the recent mob action following the killing of 4 civilian American citizens in the Fallujah area. I would like to provide a
little perspective on this and other events.

To fully understand and appreciate the enormity of the mission here is difficult, even for someone like me who is experienced somewhat in these "stabilizing Operations" and is fully briefed on the intricacies of daily operations. This is a country almost without a national identity. The masses are largely ignorant, and like most Islamic peoples, are told what to think by the Muslim clerics. [The Arab mentality is one of innocence, i.e. they can't conceive of shouldering responsibility or blame. It is ALWAYS the
leader's fault, or whoever is in charge at the time.

Right now, it is the US lead coalition that is in charge, so of course all the problems are our fault]. They have been brutalized and repressed under a hostile dictatorship rule for decades. It is almost as if they have forgotten, if they ever truly knew, what it is like to work together for a common goal-the betterment of their society.

The workforce age men and women have difficulty trusting anyone, and are largely unwilling and unable to look toward long-term goals. Hence, you have both public officials and private citizens more willing to make a quick buck
selling information harmful to coalition forces or weapons, or worse yet employing weapons against us, than they are willing to work together to better their society. There is no quick solution, and little short-term gain to be had in forming and nurturing what we consider a civilized,
compassionate society. The citizens of Iraq want safety and a stable economy, but are unwilling (scared) to take the actions necessary to help achieve these goals. They are still harboring terrorists in their homes and mosques, even though they are many times outsiders. They do this out of fear and racial loyalty-they trust another Arab more than coalition forces. Also, their infrastructure is in such a state of disrepair from decades of neglect that it will take literally years to rebuild.

I can promise you that the Marine Corps sees this as a worthwhile, even monumental mission for the Corps and our Nation. We simply must nurture a seed of freedom and democracy in the Arab world. My friends, we are talking
about a race of people that are still living in the 7th century. Their culture has not matured in over 1300 years. I don't think they will or ever have to become "Americanized" but I think it is imperative to solidify a government over here that is trustworthy, one that will not promote, tolerate, or export terrorism, and that will be a stabilizing force in this troubled land.

The Marine Corps forces are very active in both rebuilding the country's infrastructure, helping with community projects, as well as rooting out the bad guys. We are very visible in the cities and towns, which naturally
exposes us to dangers. So, please don't be unduly influenced by the press and their penchant for sensationalizing events, horrific as some of them
are. It is a long and difficult road to overcome decades of turmoil, but we are making progress and helping people. The political decisions of "is it our job" and "should we be over here expending all this money to do this"
are not in the military's hands. We take orders, plain and simple.

I know I have rambled a bit, but I guess I want to express my belief that difficult and costly as it is, I think we have no choice but to finish the job over here, no matter how long it takes.

Believe me, no one over here wants to be away from their family and friends. Even with many comforts and conveniences of home, it is still a dusty, dirty and desolate place to live.

I will close with a heartfelt thank-you to each of you for your prayers and friendship. I am still humbled and thankful for your generous outpouring of love and friendship at my going away party. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends.

Please keep our brave young men and women in your prayers, as they stand watch thousands of miles from home.
Kiss and hug your kids tonight, and give them a hug for me if you would. I hope you are all healthy and well, and look forward to seeing you when I get home."

[Burkeman1]

They died serving their oaths and the executive we elected. The poeople should decide what cause is just or not and if the excutive is right or not. "Supporting" the troops means quetioning everything our government does.

The "Cause" is not what they serve- it is the "Country". And if the "cause" be wrong then judgement on those who attempt to equate love of country with the amount of support for a false cause! It either stands on its own or it doesn't!

[danamco]

Thank you Native Texan for your service to our country. I hope that Burkeman1 read your touching post!
Also, I read on another post, "Falluja: A View from the Inside" posted on 04/22/2004 9:26:22 AM PDT by kattracs.
An Army Chaplain tells the true story about the real Falluja.

From my many visits at different ports in the Persian Gulf, I certainly will agree with you. One time I took my wife on a tour from Spain to Marocco, it was like you were reversed 2000 years back in time!

Our prayers are with you every day. May God bless you and protect you and all soldiers in the two hostile countries thousands of miles away from home. We have a cousin who is serving in the Marines in Iraq!

[Amelia]

The poeople should decide what cause is just or not and if the excutive is right or not.

The elected representatives of the people (Congress) approved the war.

The latest opinion polls say the majority of the American people support the war.

I don't suppose that matters to you?

[BushisTheMan]

He's a so-called singer...very anti-war. I'm not even sure if he is American but I think so.

He bragged about how easy it is to go to pro-Bush, conservative, or any Web site and spread disinformation about Bush.

So whether anyone on a thread says questionable remarks, I always ask if they are Moby.

[Eagle Eye]

You'll have a hard time finding troops in Iraq that don't believe in what they are doing.

Funny how those actually doing the fighting, bleeding, and dying have more confidence in the mission than people like you.

But they're only on the ground.

Compared to you, what do they know?