Boots on the ground

For a moment, put aside your beliefs about whether or not we should be engaged in the war on terrorism in Iraq. We are, so what’s going on there and where do we go from here? 

A lot of the troops there have a different story to tell about what’s happening in the Middle East than, say, your daily newsperson on television or in print media. I’ve talked on the air a few times with a Blackhawk helicopter pilot who returned several months ago from Baghdad. He felt strongly that the media and politicians are distorting the bad and ignoring the good that’s happening there. He even flew a group of prominent senators over some of the towns and villages, and then heard them go in front of reporters and cameras and totally misrepresent what they saw.

Several days ago, I was checking news on a few radio stations in the car and happened on a caller on the Rush Limbaugh show who recently returned from 10 months in Iraq. Hearing that, I stayed tuned, though I had to get out of the car in a few minutes. This caller said the same as the above helicopter pilot. He said the troops follow stateside reporting on the mess hall TVs that get satellite news channels, and they can’t believe how bad the reporting is — on what they’re actually experiencing day to day.

He also said that a family had ‘adopted’ him to correspond with, and when they asked if he needed anything, he said he didn’t, but the locals could use a few pieces of clothing or personal items. He was overwhelmed that the family’s church adopted this as a project, and dozens of boxes arrived containing hundreds of items they were able to give Iraqis.

I didn’t hear more than five or ten minutes of this, and regret missing the rest of the story. But we’re really missing the story every day of what the reality is for the ‘boots on the ground’ in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot spots. Here’s something I found at the ‘bootsinbaghdad’ blog, posted by Mark Partridge Miner.

Pundits and armchair generals alike are quick to presume complete failure if even one aspect of an extremely intricate mission seems challenging. However, it is important to acknowledge that the task of altering the course of a nation is an extremely complex and in-depth objective. America has rebuilt Iraq’s schools, hospitals, infrastructure, economy and government in only three years and cannot stop now.

Some of the most substantial and recognizable improvements have been to Iraq’s infrastructure. Since America’s invasion over 2300 schools have been rehabilitated and constructed and are being fitted with over 8.7 million new textbooks (USAID, 2006). The U.S. believes that the children of Iraq are the future of the Middle East. It is important that all Iraqi children are given the opportunity to receive a well balanced and unbiased education, covering the core subjects as well as technological familiarization, hygiene and individual rights.

The United States has also helped Iraq hold some of their first legitimate democratic elections. Despite the security concerns, over 70% of eligible voters turned out in the December 2006 election (Saban Center Iraq Index, 2006). This strong turnout proves the people of Iraq are ready for change. Coalition forces put forth astounding efforts to educate the public on the democratic process. Over 1.5 million election publications were distributed throughout the country (USAID, 2006). On Election Day, the Iraqi people waved their purple stained fingers in the air with pride to show they had voted. They are presently being led by a government they elected to represent them.

That’s only part of a long post. We should hear the whole story. The insurgents are making it clear that they’re still after instability. What’s not clear is what’s going on everyhwere else.

Do you have a friend or loved one there? Have you recently returned? What’s your story? If you write to someone over there, ask them to send an email about what they’re seeing. They deserve to be heard.