My friend Deborah sent me an e-mail which contains a message from her friend Judith. Deborah introduces Judith's message by saying:
I know some of you find my views strong, but it is so very frustrating to know the truth and be powerless to influence the corrupt media who is influencing everyone's opinions. I have friends who are risking their lives in this war, and what you hear on the news is placing them in even greater danger. They/we believe very strongly in what we're doing. Judith is an Air Force Academy grad, very bright, and she is about as humble and soft-spoken as you'll find - and she really is not very political, as she admits. But her views reflect reality, what the soldiers *really* feel, not what the news reports. Just remember the Dan Rather incident (document forgery) and recall whose side he's on. And that was only the tip of the iceberg.
And Judith's message is:
Sorry I can't comment on everything, but here are some thoughts...when I sit in the chow hall and see all of us in uniform watching CNN and how the country seems to "support" us but not the war and watch the anti-war protests, it's BS.
I may not speak for everyone, but I do know that it confuses/pisses us off on all the rhetoric. If they support us, they really support our cause for being there. They may disagree with why we are there in the beginning, but in the end and right now, we really are fighting for the country.
We can't go in here less than 100% committed or motivated; we lose our effect and heart. It's like throwing a basketball game; you're not focused on winning, so 50% is good enough--you let others carry the water. That emotion, that you didn't give your best effort, is a driving factor. How shameful that must feel...to know that you could've succeeded, but quit in the middle because you lost your motivation.
I feel that's what the protestors are doing, eroding the motivation to do our very best here. We need the country to support us by helping our families and friends while we're gone, taking care of our country while we are far away...do not interfere with or prevent our success in this mission. If it (mission) falls apart to the hands of the extremists, we lose, Iraq loses, and perhaps the balance of power in the SWA [Southwest Asia] shifts (not just talking politically but also, perhaps in the global war on terrorism). As a result, it would appear as if the terrorists have won a major battle.
It may not be spoken, but I see it as a battle between good and evil, not in the name of God or Allah, but between those forces that try to prevent the betterment of mankind. What humanity would want to keep a people in oppression? Do I see us as liberators? Sure. Should we stay? Only as long as we're needed. Believe me, EVERYONE wants to go home, but not BEFORE the job is finished. It's like leaving a fallen comrade on the battlefield (or a morning PT run around the parade field at the Zoo). And remind people that we did rebuild Germany through the Marshall Plan and Tokyo through the reconstruction efforts (MacArthur played king there). People forget that.
Another war, but a necessary piece of war. You tear it down, you build it back up.
I'm not too political, and certainly we want the gov't to be the way we see it within our sphere of influence. Ultimately, in my opinion, we just want to see a people govern themselves and align away from those elements that wish to do our country and our allies harm. Remind everyone of Maslow's hierarchy of needs: food, water, shelter, clothing, safety/security. We're slowly building the country's foundation.
Wish Fox news, CNN and all the news pogues would pass that around. We are stung by the protesters that say we are in a bad war, but we are more pissed that they say that in the comfort of their living rooms, on carpeted floors, in heat/A-C controlled buildings. Tell them to come over and help out, then after we can talk protest.
Power to Bush. The best victory we'll have is if he wins. More talk/email later, but thanks for hearing me out. Still have a good attitude here. Pray for everyone. The Marines and Army are hit the hardest. AF and Navy are supporting (as you know).
When I get back, let's do a spa vacation and go skiing/snowboarding, o.k.?
Take care,
j
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