The media and Democratic spin masters have been doing a nice job of discrediting the Bush administration with regard to the Iraq war. They have used decorated war vets like Congressman John Murtha and Gen. Wes Clark to disseminate the following inaccurate information:
1. We are losing the war.
2. Our military does not believe in their
mission.
3. Iraqis want us out of Iraq.
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I have observed two televised events featuring these two vets in which audience members, who are citizen/soldiers, challenged their statements with the actual truth. In each case, those Democratic spokespersons replied the only way they could -- with silence.
In a March 3 briefing with a "Q and A" following, the top general in Iraq, Gen. Casey, revealed several important facts:
1. Nationwide insurgent attacks in Iraq are way down. Last summer, attacks average 60 to 70 a day.
2. The military now considers 16 out of 18 provinces stable -- two more than last year.
3. Tips from Iraqi civilians have tripled since last summer because Iraqi people have a higher comfort level due to greater confidence in their own security forces.
4. Coalition military have recently killed or captured a larger number of younger (16-17 year old) enemy fighters. Their older, more experienced fighters have already been eliminated -- even the bomb makers.
To conclude, the true pictures of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are not being presented by the media. Why are re-enlistment numbers so high for troops deployed in the Middle East -- over 15 percent in some units? Maybe it is because they believe in their mission, as my niece and her husband do (both Air Force).
John Holley
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Ironton, Minn.
