Very Good News from Iraq

In the city of Baghdadi-just west of Baghdad, no police, security or American forces kept the peace. It was a haven for insurgent forces to collect in large numbers-planning attacks on Soldiers and Marines in nearby Fallujah, al-Teqaddum and Ramadi, along with attacks on the Iraqi population. It was a city oppressed by a group ruling with a Mafia-mentality; its citizens living under an umbrella of fear.

One citizen of the town, Shaban al-Budani, got fed up.

Completely on his own, he named himself Colonel of a militia-type force of police which came into being from a personal willingness to do exactly that which must be done. It came from a sense of protectiveness; from sacrifice; from deep personal integrity. This force was not sanctioned by the Iraqi government, and was entirely funded out of his own pocket-all equipment, arms and payroll. Through his actions, much of the insurgency in Baghdadi has been cleaned out- turning over the captured to the coalition forces. When the Marine Corps Command heard of him, they had him checked out and decided he was genuine. The Marines then offered to help train and equip his troops which was happily accepted. With our help, he had a much stronger opportunity to accomplish his mission of law, security and peace.

Even with the help of the Marines, his struggle is still a difficult one. Many of his volunteer police have been killed, but those who remain keep up the struggle to make their community a safe and free place to live. American policy has shifted towards the Iraqi people handling their own problems as we take more of a supportave stance. The results are obvious in this case. The people are taking control of their lives. The left-wing media's resonant cry for "exit strategy"  last year is being succesfully exercised by our leaders and military.

....But they didn't REALLY want Bush to succeed, so the stories of our incredible successes in Iraq are being ignored-leaving you, the common citizen to believe that not only are things bad in Iraq, but that we are actually LOSING there. I'm sure we all know at least one family member or friend that has been over there, so give them a listen. Hear what our troops-entirely made up of volunteers, the vast majority signing after 9/11-have to say about the success and level of motivation of those there. Have no one to talk with? Ask me. Inundated with bad news, I started to seriously question our mission there. I went there as a civilian contractor in part to see for myself the truth of the situation I had plenty of opportunity to observe and talk with our Marines over there, and I can tell you now, they are strong, they are motivated, and the citizens of Iraq are still kissing the cheeks of the Americans who liberated them and gave the country back to them.

Those who have died? I grieve for them each individually. I personally knew some who will never see their families again, and sometimes still cry when I think of them. I saw the helocopters bringing the wounded in. I watched with tears in my eyes because I knew what precious cargo those helocopters held. I have felt first hand the sacrifices we as Americans are making in this war on terror, and I still believe we are doing the right thing....

But don't believe me or any media outlet. Find the facts for  yourself. Find your own truth.

One side note: this story aired on Fox news, and to my knowlege, on no other major media outlet. Yet another reason to closely scrutinize the liberal indoctrination-agenda driven media that continues to bring to the public only what THEY believe is truth.

I wrote this months ago on "myspace"....didn't get a lot of readers there...*sigh