Iraq Straight Up - The Black and White Truth

Washington, D.C.— I traveled to Iraq last weekend to support our troops and get a true perspective of the ground situation in the War on Terror.  After returning from my second trip to that region since the start of the war, I can assure you that you’re not getting a balanced perspective from the media.    I was briefed by our top officers, but I relied on individual Iowans in private to give it to me straight. 

In and around Baghdad and Fallujah, I met with over 25 soldiers from Iowa, and I asked them what they needed from me to complete their mission effectively.  Chief Warrant Officer Alan Ruzicka of Cedar Rapids answered, “U.S. public support is the most important weapon our troops can have.  We’ll win this faster if we can get the media to follow the traditional Iowa way—straight up—the black and white truth.”

And that’s really what it comes down to, isn’t it?  While our soldiers are in the Middle East fighting the World Wide War on Terror, the liberal press corps is acting as the enemy within.  We are fighting a news media that is determined to tear down public support for the war by selectively reporting the facts and editorializing on their selections. 

Captain Ken Richards of Des Moines told me at the same meeting, “The U.S. news media is the only ally of Al Quaida and the insurgents.”

The media is determined to defeat President Bush, even at the cost of losing the war in Iraq and consequently the war on terror.  We can lose this war, and if it is lost, it will be lost at home, not in Iraq.  All it takes is for the American public to lose faith in our leaders and our cause. 

We have given the Iraqi people the gift of freedom, a gift Americans take for granted everyday, and mark my words, the majority of the people of Iraq are thankful for it.  Master Sergeant Dwight Anderson of Perry told me, “The Iraqis appreciate us being here, the young ones especially.” 

And that’s not only because we rid them of a murderous dictator, but because it is the coalition forces who are helping them build a life.  Our soldiers are at risk day and night, but they are rebuilding schools, providing medical treatment and vaccines, teaching the Iraqis to plant and harvest crops, and even just playing a game of soccer with the Iraqi children. 

American soldiers are respected.  General Petraeus relayed this story: “After the 101st left Mosul, they named a street after them.  The street’s name is ‘101st Airborne Divission (air assault) street’.”

I’ve attached a picture of the street sign.  The words are misspelled but the meaning is clear—the Iraqis have a sincere appreciation for our troops.  They’re the best and bravest in the world, and I promise to keep fighting for them over here while they’re over there fighting for us.