Coming on the heels of Barbara's email (and a related comment from Kevin), this just couldn't be more appropriate. Thank you, Colonel -- Pam




By
COLONEL DONALD J. MYERS USMC (Ret)

When one states that he is taking a course in History 101, Economics 101, Literature 101, or any other college course with a 101 behind it, that means that it is a basic course. It is obvious to me that the nation needs a course on War 101.

Contrary to what is reported in the media, we have one war- the war against terrorism. Today and for at least three years, at least since we woke up, we have been fighting this war against terrorism on two fronts- Afghanistan and Iraq. They are not different wars, they are the same war. As an analogy, we fought WWII in several theaters- Africa, Europe, South Pacific, and China/ Burma. It was the same war.

When one goes to war, it is a serious and deadly business and needs the support of the Nation. For too many of our citizens war has been a spectator sport since WWII. Sacrifice has not been required for the majority and thus the majority does not take it serious. Our service people are in harms way on a daily basis. They are liable to be casualties at any time. Unlike other wars, they are able to read or watch the media in action, and our enemies can do the same. I suggest that with our current war, there are two additional fronts that we must face. The first is with the mainstream media and its constant reporting of nothing but negative aspects of this war and the disclosure of secret documents. The second is with the shadow government in the Pentagon, State Department, and CIA to name a few. There are people in each of those organizations who are vehemently opposed to this war and this administration. They apparently believe that any damage to the prosecution of this war is in the best interest of the country and it is their obligation to do whatever they can to insure that we do not succeed.

Let's talk about the media first. Pulitzer prizes have been bestowed upon papers and individuals who expose government secrets that do harm to our fight in this war. Michael Moore received an Oscar for his anti government movie on the war. The New York Times released a story about our government tracking money in foreign banks by terrorists that was a secret program. That program and the support from other countries will probably come to an end as a result. Who was hurt? It definitely was not the terrorists. The exposure of our ability to track phone calls from terrorists' organizations to the USA was also published. Again, who was harmed- not the terrorists? Freedom of the press is in the First Amendment and I agree, but with freedom comes responsibility. Getting a scoop does not mean that it was appropriate to do it. In WWII, some of these current reporters would have told about or D-Day plans in the vein that the people should know. History will be the ultimate judge and I am convinced that it will get it right.

Now, let's talk about the shadow government. These individuals in our government who think that it is their responsibility and calling to disclose secrets are despicable people who should be discovered and punished to the extent of the law. They are entrusted with some of the most significant plans and operations of our government and yet they seem to think that they have a higher calling and I suspect that in some cases they are so incensed that the democrats are not in power that any means used to ultimately return them to power is proper.

It is pointless to debate the media people or those in the shadow government. Facts mean nothing, emotions are the king. Intentions are the key element in any debate. It makes no difference to these people what the results are, the intentions are what count. "Our intentions were to have the government change policy." The loss of key elements in defeating terrorists is of no consequence.

I remain confident because I honestly believe that the majority of Americans are not fooled. The readership and viewer ship of these mainstream media continues to plummet. I am more concerned about the shadow government. These people must be found and punished because they are the true traitors.

Chittagong, Bangladesh (July 2, 2006) – Navy Builder 2nd Class Shane Murray from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Four Zero (NMCB-40), receives help from a local girl while painting the pediatric ward at the Chittagong Medical and College Facility. Elements of NMCB-40 are embarked with the Medical Treatment Facility aboard U.S. Navy Hospital Ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) completing projects during the ship’s visit to provide humanitarian and civic assistance to the people of Bangladesh. Mercy is on a five-month deployment to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands, having recently completed 24 days of humanitarian assistance to the people of the southern Philippines. The medical staff is augmented with an assistance crew, many of whom are part of nongovernmental organizations that have significant medical capabilities. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Erika N. Jones

I find it interesting to read your perspectives and experiences because to be honest, I often don't know what to think..as a teacher, I don't want my students to join due to my perception of incompetence from the higher levels in Washington. I am also concerned about the story of the rape and murder of the Iraqi woman the subsequent murder of her family by US soldiers. I'm sure this pains you and you are afraid it taints you all, even though just a few are responsible, but how did these types of individuals get into the armed services in the first place?......You see, I think that I have students who don't have a really well formed sense of right and wrong..they had neglectful parenting, yet recruiters try to recruit them and I just think you don't want those types of kids because they could do what those soldiers did...I'm sorry but this just so deeply disturbs me and I know you maybe feel that I am only focusing on certain incidents but it is hard not to.. Should we really invade sovereign nations who have done nothing to us? I think war can make people immoral and especially if they don't understand that some people don't want to be liberated or want demorcracy because their countries are to theocratic for Western-style democracy. But yet I know many soldiers sign up for mulitple tours of duty so they must feel committed to the mission but sitting at home hearing about this poor girl who was stalked for a week, raped and murdered, I just think: Where is the sympathy for these people? It takes a lot to actually want to hurt someone in a non-defensive way...I just don't know if we are the good guys anymore............I will continue to read soldiers blogs and hope I have not brought you down and I hope you come home soon. And take care of yourself and don't lose your sense of compassion no matter what..it's what keeps us all human.

Barbara

*************************************

Patti's Response:
Most people would look for evidence before condemning.
I do not believe anyone was raped, except maybe the American people, being raped by their arm chair quarter-backing. I believe this is another insurgent trick to harm public opinion.

Both my sons are proud Army Men and they certainly do not rape. They do not like war,
but ask yourself who stands in between you and a Burka. It is my children and the children of many who stand for freedom, do they want to go to war, HELL NO! Is it their job to defend us HELL YES! These precious men and women are doing a job, a job they are ORDERED to do, your support would be admirable.

I appreciate your comments, I hope you can appreciate mine.
Patti Patton-Bader

*************************************
My Response:
Barbara,
For starters, let me just clarify that I am not military; I'm a civilian...fortunately. That allows me the freedom to say just about anything here. The military imposes restraint upon the responses of its personnel, which is sometimes unfortunate. They don't always get to respond to slurs when they hear them. It's why we should feel responsibility to speak for them.

You said you're deeply disturbed - I'm deeply disturbed, too - first and foremost by the fact that an educator of our children is accepting as fact something that has yet to be fully investigated, just because it's what's in the paper or on TV. As far as the rape allegations go, no one has been convicted. It is often the case that what the news reports and what the facts are turn out to be two different things.

Case in point:

Title: COALITION CORRECTS RECORD
Release Date: 7/2/2006
Release Number: 06-07-02PF
Description: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / July 2, 2006 / Release # 060702-04

Coalition corrects record on reported civilian casualties in Kunar

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – News reports published June 30 that claimed Coalition forces fired rockets in Watapur, Pech District, Kunar Province , allegedly killing a school headmaster and injuring two others are false.

The three individuals noted in news articles are, in fact, Taliban extremists responsible for conducting attacks against Afghan and Coalition forces.

A Coalition patrol was attacked by three extremists on a road in the Pech District on June 29. Coalition forces responded with small arms and mortar fire, all positively observed by Coalition forces. The three extremists fled in a blue Hilux truck.

Later, a blue Hilux truck was reported to have delivered three males with gunshot wounds to the Asadabad hospital. One extremist died of his wounds. The other two were taken into custody by Coalition forces and are being treated for their wounds in a Coalition hospital.

The deceased was identified as Sayeed Alam, the nephew of a known Taliban commander in the Pech valley and is also known to be a member of an IED cell. The wounded were also identified as known Taliban extremists. Their names are not being released for security reasons.

“These three men were without a doubt Taliban extremists and not innocent civilians,” said Lt. Col. Paul Fitzpatrick, Combined Joint Task Force-76 spokesman.

“Coalition forces make every effort to protect Afghan civilians and limit the possibility of civilian casualties. The Coalition is improving the lives of Afghan people through reconstruction projects and civil and medical assistance visits to villages.

The Taliban’s only purpose is to stop progress and instill fear and intimidation.”

(The above release is here)

And the media and Murtha-spread story of Haditha, being accepted as fact by those who jump at every chance to criticize the troops, doesn't look like its panning out to be the slam-dunk Murtha claimed it was. In fact, there are some serious inconsistencies in what he claimed was an absolute case of murder.

Now you're acting as if this story has been proven to be absolute truth. I sincerely hope that if you are ever accused of a crime, you are given the presumption of innocence that you deserve as a U.S. citizen, but are quick to deny to the very people who ensure that you have it.

Let me tackle a few of your other remarks:

I'm sure this pains you and you are afraid it taints you all, even though just a few are responsible, but how did these types of individuals get into the armed services in the first place?......They might not have that sort of concern if people like you didn't keep implying that they should.

You see, I think that I have students who don't have a really well formed sense of right and wrong..they had neglectful parenting, yet recruiters try to recruit them and I just think you don't want those types of kids because they could do what those soldiers did...
We don't know they did anything. Remember that 'innocent until proven guilty' thing? You're a teacher - look it up. And do they not have a well formed sense of right and wrong - or do they not have YOUR sense of right and wrong? What makes you so judgmental - on the parents, on the kids, on the recruiters...?

I'm sorry but this just so deeply disturbs me and I know you maybe feel that I am only focusing on certain incidents but it is hard not to...
Actually, it's quite easy. Try reading BlackFive, or Mudville, or Echo9er, or The Thunder Run, or this site, or any of a whole armada of blogs that will tell you the good news (just check the lists left and right on this page). Try looking at CENTCOM's site. Try checking the webpages for any of the armed services. Try looking at DefendAmerica. Incidents like this are a tiny, tiny fraction of what goes on. Our heroes have done countless wonderful things in every area they've been. You just don't see it.

Should we really invade sovereign nations who have done nothing to us? I think war can make people immoral and especially if they don't understand that some people don't want to be liberated or want demorcracy because their countries are to theocratic for Western-style democracy.
1. Iraq did plenty. Shooting at our planes almost daily, funding suicide bombers, failing to follow UN Sanctions (oh, and then there are those WMD's we found, and the mass murder of his own people, but hey, they did nothing, right?)
2. If you think Afghanistan (under the Taliban) did nothing to warrant our actions, you are far beyond anything any response I could give would do.
3. I think you're right about a change of morality in a war zone, somewhat, in that conventinoal rules don't always apply in a war zone. But immorality is a very subjective term, and what is immoral to you isn't necessarily immoral to someone else. For instance, you may choose not to watch horror movies, or rated 'R' movies, while someone else does.
4. What makes you think that the majority of Iraq doesn't want democracy? Technically speaking, the U.S. is a republic, and Iraq is not a true democracy, either - its new government is more of a republic, too. True democracy would have everybody voting on everything, which is a pretty ineffective way to govern. But using the term 'democracy' to refer to a government where people have a say, and can vote - it is true that Muslim extremists sure as hell don't want democracy anywhere near them. It's the antithesis of everything they are. And they'll lose big in a democratic system. No one's telling Iraq that they have to have our system. They, in fact, designed their own government. Chose their own leaders. Damn, that's awful isn't it?

But yet I know many soldiers sign up for mulitple tours of duty so they must feel committed to the mission but sitting at home hearing about this poor girl who was stalked for a week, raped and murdered, I just think: Where is the sympathy for these people? It takes a lot to actually want to hurt someone in a non-defensive way...I just don't know if we are the good guys anymore............I will continue to read soldiers blogs and hope I have not brought you down and I hope you come home soon. And take care of yourself and don't lose your sense of compassion no matter what..it's what keeps us all human.

Troops re-enlist for various reasons, not the least of which is a belief that what they do matters. I for one happen to agree - they are the reason I can sleep safe at night in a free America. Again, no one at this point knows for sure what happened - it is still under investigation. Where is the sympathy for these people? Don't lose compassion? Odd that you should ask that when this past Saturday I sent 11 boxes of clothing, toys, and other items to troops in the field who asked for them for local children...

UPDATE: If you want to know what makes a career Soldier, JackArmy has an answer for you.
If you wanted to ask, he might have a few words for you about the recruiter issue, too.

And I would argue that compassion, if misplaced, does more harm than good. How about if you save a little of yours for our Heroes?

Let's not forget that some people don't deserve one iota of our compassion. Terrorists, for example.

It takes a lot to actually want to hurt someone in a non-agressive way.
I might argue that if our heroes in the field aren't ever aggressive, they're in some serious trouble. It's a war, not air hockey.

I just don't know if we're the good guys anymore.
I do. We are. If you want a comparison, try living in Iran. You don't know if we're the good guys? Have you been to Ground Zero in New York City? I have. Those were the bad guys.

Have you ever actually talked to anyone in the military? I have.

Have you ever actually heard anything of what they're doing over there - from them? I have.

Have you ever heard an Iraqi thank the U.S. troops and say that Iraq needed us to stay until they could stand on their own? I have - at the Milblog Conference this year.

I know they have compassion - I hear it from them. And if you do just a bit more than read the New York Slimes, you can find it out too. But my strongest hope is that naysayers like you don't get them to be so 'compassionate' that they lose their edge. I want them home safe, too - as soon as possible. But they have a job to do there, and what they do there is helping to keep you safe here. So cut them some slack, would you? Or at least treat them fairly.

As far as not wanting your students to join the military, I'd be more concerned that they might grow up to be a reporter for the New York Times, CBS, or any number of other borderline (or not so borderline) traitorous media organizations, or a non-thinking leftie. I'd be proud to have any kid of mine in the military. In fact, I would consider myself having done my job and then some, if any child of mine grew up loving his country, and his fellow Americans, enough to want to serve them. And I would be amazingly proud to have raised a Hero.

by Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Larson
June 30, 2006
Staff Sgt. Danny Jimenez, from the 4th Infantry Division, participates in a raid on suspected insurgent sanctuaries in Mushahda, Iraq.

News of Note
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Shiite lawmaker survives Iraq bombing
U.S. troops try courtesy in Iraqi city

Operation Enduring Freedom
Afghan Copter Crash Kills GI

Homeland Security / War on Terror
Palestinian militants issue ultimatum to Israel
Israeli forces mass on Gaza border
Israeli force on routine mission in Gaza
Airstrikes in Gaza - Video
Israelis Raid Palestinian Hospital
Abduction Role Denied by Hamas
Palestinians Burn Israeli Flags
Zarqawi Buried in Secret
New Shiite Militant Group Forms
Saddam's Wife on Wanted List
Muslims Have Trouble Wiring Cash Under Fed Rules
Gonzales Defends Transfer of Terror Suspects in Egypt
NYT: Bank program not news to terrorists
Supreme Court ruling troubles GOP senators

Troops on Trial
Muslim group condemns reports of U.S. rape

Worldwide Wackos
Pentagon sees Iran bombing as unsuccessful: report

Politics / Government
Casinos to Be Casualty of New Jersey Gov't Shutdown
Senators Debate Best Way to Approach Detainee Trials
Democrats urge broader view of Bush war powers

Hurricane Season / Wild Weather
Katrina shocks New Orleans visitors 10 months on

Oddities
Estonians reign at wife-carrying championships
U.S. pins wiener-eating hopes on Chestnut

Other News of Note
Too Close to Call - Video (the Mexican election)
Boat Race Turns Ugly - Driver reportedly passed out at wheel

Fox News
NASA Scrubs Shuttle Launch- Video: Launch Cancelled
'Superman' Soars With $52M
Making Sense of the Fed
Poll: U.S. Reads Food Labels
World Cup Crash Injures 21
David Beckham Quits
FULL WORLD CUP COVERAGE

Reuters: Top News
Expatriate Mexicans pour over border to vote
Weather forces second shuttle launch delay
Confidence in ability to control weather dries up
Nokia's Ollila sees scope for growth in mobile mkt
Beautiful game fails to win over Americans
Mexico election buzz reaches remote Huichol Indians
Fruit research yields way to curb cancer
Antihistamine could fight malaria: study
Movie critic Ebert seriously ill
EADS shakes up management over A380 delays
Nissan board to meet soon on GM
TI, Broadcom complain to S.Korea FTC about Qualcomm
Albertson's supplier issues carrot warning
Apple's option problems not obvious: analysts
Shaw hikes forecast as profit jumps
Inflation and jobs data to drive stocks
Nissan board to meet soon on GM
Stocks give investors a wild 2nd-qtr ride - Video
EMC shares fall on RSA acquisition price
Deluxe sinks 18 percent on lower EPS view
Dollar woes seen continuing despite Fed

AP World News
NASA hoping for Fourth of July launch
Mets, White Sox each field 6 All-Stars
Sorenstam, Hurst to play 1 more day
Liriano brilliant as Twins blank Brewers
Experts debate labeling children obese
'Superman' soars to $52 million opening
D.C. attractions dry out, open for holiday
Decoding Fed's statements requires experts
Casper wins 1st stage of Tour de France
Austin pleads guilty to cocaine charges
China's 1st train to Tibet continues west
Firefighters battle 2 blazes in Nevada
Case of slain N.D. student goes to trial

Military.com
Bush Pays Tribute to Armed Forces

CENTCOM: News Releases
CCCI CONVICTS ELEVEN INSURGENTS

ENEMY ROCKETS HITS KANDAHAR AIRFIELD

Department of Defense
ON THE GROUND
Soldiers Help Save Life of Wounded Student - Story
Husseiniya Firefighters Move into New Facility - Story
Iraqi Security ‘Roars’ in the Desert - Story
Engineers Move Mountains to Improve Roads - Story

IN IRAQ
Construction Plan Focuses on Water, Roads
Tanks Support 'Darkhorse' Grunts in Habbaniyah
Marines’ Goal: Gain Trust, Improve Community

IN AFGHANISTAN
KC-135 Aircrew Vital Part of Mission Success
Air Force Turns to Old Standby for Army Re-supply
Medical Assistance Team Visits Afghan Villages

BACKGROUND
IRAQ
Renewal In Iraq
Iraq: Security, Stability
Fact Sheet: Progress and Work Ahead
Report: Strategy for Victory in Iraq
Iraq Daily Update
This Week in Iraq (PDF)
Multinational Force Iraq
State Dept. Weekly Iraq Report (PDF)
'Boots on the Ground' Audio Archive
Weekly Reconstruction Report (PDF)
Iraq Reconstruction
Maps

AFGHANISTAN
Afghanistan Update
Maps

WAR ON TERRORISM
Fact Sheet: Budget Request
Fact Sheet: War on Terror
Fact Sheet: Terror Plots Disrupted
Waging and Winning the War on Terror
Terrorism Timeline
Terrorism Knowledge Base

CASUALTIES
Officials Identify Army Casualty - Story

Weather
Iraq
Al Azamiyah Al Basrah Al Hillah Al Karkh Al Kazimiyah Al Kut An Nasiriyah Baghdad Baqubah Mosul Najaf Nineveh Tall Kayf

Afghanistan
Bost/Laskar Ghurian Herat Kabul Qandahar

Gitmo

Today in History
1754 - George Washington surrenders to the French at Fort Necessity, an event that would help trigger the French and Indian War (the European phase of which is the Seven Years' War).
1775 - Washington takes command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, MA.
1778 - British Tory and Native American forces massacre 360 men, women and children in Wyoming, Pa, after the Battle of Wyoming.
1814 - Americans capture Fort Erie, Canada.
1816 - The French frigate "Medusa" runs aground the French frigate Medusa runs aground on the Arguin Bank, off the west coast of Africa. 150 men and women make it onto a makeshift raft; only 15 survive the elements, mutiny, starvation, and cannibalism to be rescued two weeks later. The event causes such a political scandal that it almost destroys the French government.
1819 - The first U.S. savings bank opens (Bank of Savings, NYC).
1863 - The Battle of Gettysburg ends as a Union victory after Pickett's Charge devastates Lee's army.
1890 - Idaho is admitted as the 43rd U.S. state.
1898 - The U.S. Navy defeats the Spanish fleet in Santiago de Cuba.
1915 - U.S. military forces occupy Haiti, remaining until 1934.
1920 - The Royal Air Force holds an air display at Hendon, England.
1930 - The Veterans Administration is created.
1940 - The British Royal Navy sinks the Vichy French fleet off North Africa.
1950 - For the first time U.S. and North Korean forces clash in the Korean War.
1962 - The Algerian Revolution against the French ends (Algeria gains its independence on July 5th).
1974 - Soyuz 14 carries two cosmonauts to the Salyut 3 space station.
1976 - Israel launches the rescue of 103 Air France crew and passengers being
held at Entebbe Airport in Uganda by pro-Palestinian hijackers. One hostage not rescued because she had been taken to a hospital was murdered on the orders of Idi Amin.
1986 - President Reagan presides over the relighting of the renovated Statue of Liberty.
1988 - The U.S. Navy shoots down an Iranian civilian jetliner over the Persian Gulf after it fails to responds to requests to identify itself; 290 are killed. The circumstances surrounding the shoot-down are still highly debated.

Birthdays
1423 - Louis XI king of France (1461-83)
1567 - Samuel de Champlain explorer (Lake Champlain)
1731 - Samuel Huntington (Gov-Ct), Continental Congress pres
1909 - Earl L Butz US Secretary of Agriculture (1971-76); a real Butz
1943 - Geraldo Rivera aka Gerry Rivers, nosey newsman (Geraldo)
1943 - Norman E Thagard Marianna Fl, MD/astronaut (STS 7, 51-B, 30, 42)

Passings
1969 - Brian Jones (Rolling Stones), drowned
1971 - Jim Morrison (Doors), heart failure
1989 - Andrei Gromyko, Soviet diplomat

Reported Missing in Action
1966
Gage, Robert H., USMC (OH); disappeared in Da Nang after completing his tour, while awaiting passage home

Phillips, David J., Jr., USAF (FL); F5C shot down; presumed KIA, body not recovered

Reno, Ralph J., US Army SF (NC); passenger on a CH34 that crashed; presumed Killed, body not recovered

1967
Seymour, Leo E., US Army SF (PA); unaccounted for after firefight
** previously served four years USMC **

1972
Cuthbert, Stephen H., USAF (CA); F4E shot down (pilot, w/Marshall), remains returned September 1989, ID'd December, 1990

Marshall, Marion A., USAF(MD); F4E shot down (navigator, w/Cuthbert), released by DRV March, 1973, USAF Lt. Colonel as of 1998 - alive as of 1998