Below the enlistment numbers you will find quotes directly from military blogs, blogs written by our soldiers. If you want the truth, maybe you should read the words from those actually fighting in Iraq, rather than the words of the politicians.
Reenlistment numbers are higher than they are in a time of peace because the soldiers on the ground in Iraq beleive they are making a difference there. They fight this fight every day and they feel they are winning the battle and victory is within sight.
Things the politicians nor the MSM tell you about does not only include the Good News from Iraq, but they refuse to tell you how our soldiers feel. They refuse to tell you what our soldiers do.
I asked yesterday in a piece if you would rather believe the soldiers on the ground in Iraq or the politicians. Who is more likely to tell you the truth? Which of the two is more informed on what is happening in Iraq, on the ground? Which of the two have nothing to gain from misinforming you and who has the most to gain from not telling you the truth?
If you think your politicians are more trustworthy than than the soldiers that fight every day, to the death sometimes, then leave now, there is no use for you to read further.
Those that trust the soldiers more than the politicians.... read on.
September 7, 2006: The U.S. Army achieved it's annual (Fiscal 2006, when ends 30 September) retention (reenlistment) goal (64,200 troops) a month early. The Army National Guard has reached 98 percent of its annual goal of 34,875, and will apparently exceed its annual goal. Overall, the army, active and reserve, will exceed its 2006 goal of having 116,787 troops reenlist. The total size of the army, active and reserves, is about 1.1 million troops. The army also met its goal for new recruits.
Troops going to Iraq and Afghanistan return believing they have made a difference, and most encourage others to join up or reenlistment.
The trend is not new, back in July the numbers had already exceeded theh goals.
This recruiting activity doesn't make the news, which in itself is not unusual, as good news has never been profitable in the news business. But the story behind the continued recruiting success does contain the germ of a good headline or two. That's because a major reason for the good recruiting numbers can be found in the above average re-enlistment rates, and the positive word-of-mouth from veterans of the fighting. For someone who doesn't know someone in the military, or has not read some of the blogs by these folks, the high recruiting numbers make no sense. The mass media has largely bought into the idea that American activities in Iraq and Afghanistan have been a disaster.
But to the people who have actually been closest to the action, just the opposite is the case. Who to believe? The mass media, when pressed, dismisses the opinion of the troops as being "too close to the action to see the big picture." Whoever you believe, the troops have voted with their feet, and joined up at levels higher than in peace time.
So, I ask again,who do YOU believe? The policians? The media? Or our soldiers on the ground? Our troops.
People "claim" to suppor our troops but the not the "mission". The troops believe in this mission.
People "claim" to honor our troops, do those same people that make these claims, do you, honor their words and their actions? Does anyone bother to listen to the troops anymore?
There is a site that lists military blogs. I have been going through it for a while now and below are a few things that OUR SOLDIERS SAY.... are you listening?
A day in Iraq posts about our media:
I've grown so used to the fact that both CNN and YouTube have become the de facto media outlets for terrorists not only in Iraq but around the world that I no longer expect anything else, certainly nothing positive regarding our military in Iraq.
2Slicks Forum has a message to John Kerry:
Wow, John. I didn't think even you could be that stupid. Sure, you've been an opportunistic elitist all your life- but usually you're a little more controlled than this. Was it really necessary to publicly dump all over the "little people" that you so poorly pretend to represent?
Let me ask you, John- Did I not study hard enough at West Point? Is that how I wound up being stuck in Iraq?
How about those people that you send to the Service Academies every year? What do you tell them when you call them with the good news? "Congratulations, Mike- I've decided to make you my primary nominee for the Air Force Academy this year! Now make sure you study hard, because I'd hate to see you end up in Iraq..."
You say that you're sorry, but be honest- what are you sorry for?
Are you sorry that you accidentally exposed your elitist, holier-than-thou persona to the entire world with one unfortunate moment of honesty?
Are you sorry that your pathetic attempt at a cover story ("I meant to say that George Bush is a jerk, but I just screwed up the punch-line") has solidified your status as a world class liar?
Are you sorry that your political career is over? Are you going to miss it? How about the Swiftees? Will you miss them? Yeah- I thought you would.
Well, it's time to go, Johnny. It's time to abandon that dream of becoming JFK the 2nd. Your "war-hero" status that you tried so hard to cultivate- gone. Too many people know about your fake write-ups that led to your unearned medals.
Your dreams of being a "man of the people" who will lead our great nation to peace and prosperity- not going to happen. It was never going to happen. You're spineless. You command zero respect. Nobody likes you. Just walk away, man. Just walk away.
This next one comes from Boots in Baghdad:
This is his answer to and email from someone who thought what they heard in the news is the truth and spout off at the mouth about what "they" think is going on in Iraq, because "they" listen to the news and the politicians"... it is long, but well worth the read.
(Before I answer these questions I want to make a few clarifications. First of all, John Kerry does not have any respect for the troops. His military experience is irrelevant. Since he got out he has lied and slandered our military. He has voted against us. His words and his actions display nothing but disrespect toward us.
Second, You should thank God that brilliant Americans are joining the military to protect you. I doubt that the commentary between the recruiter and your friend’s daughter went anything like you say it did. The daughter may have told you and your friend she wouldn’t go to Iraq because she didn’t want to hear your smug and presumptuous opinions on the military or the war. I have worked in a Recruiting and Retention Battalion for the military. There are stringent ethical standards. No military recruiter would ever dare say such a thing. Your claim of their “aggressive tactics” is overdramatic and you know it. And if such an unlikely story were true, then your friend’s brilliant daughter should have read the contract. Black text on white paper doesn’t lie. Nobody made her sign the line.
Third, Fox News is not worse than CNN. It is by no means an exemplary example of journalism, but compared to CNN it is a consummate source of information. I find Rush Limbaugh’s assessment of the War accurate.
Fourth, the only American’s that my writing will offend are the ones that need to be offended. I am offended by them. I am offended that they care so little for this country that they are unwilling to educate themselves on this War. I am offended that they are so entrenched in partisan politics they refuse to acknowledge the successes in Iraq. I am offended at their apathy. They are destroying this country and they will not realize it until it is too late.
Finally, how dare you presume to know the thoughts of the people of Iraq! How long were you there? How many Iraqis have you talked with? How do you know their perception of us? You don’t! And clearly, you never will based on the sources you are relying upon. You then have the audacity to tell me that an Iraqi blogger, who was born there and lives there is providing propaganda?!?! Who are you to make such distinctions?)
(It is very difficult to know who the enemy is. That is what makes this war so challenging. That is why American forces do not fire until fired upon. Clearly, if you are getting shot at, it is safe to assume that the shooter is your enemy.
I don’t find your statement that Iraqis are forming militias to protect themselves accurate. The militias that have been formed were created to obtain political objectives. Al Sadr and his militia are a sufficient example. The Iraqi police have had problems with corruption. However, these problems have occurred far less than the media would like you to think. On the other hand, the Iraqi Army has done extremely well and has had minimal problems with such issues. I have had the privledge of working with them for several months. They are passionate and they are motivated. They are disciplined fighters. Iraqis are joining the Iraqi Army in droves. For every Iraqi that joins a militia there are ten that join the Army. They are sick of these terrorists disrupting their progression as a nation and they are doing something about it.
Since the invasion of Iraq, foreign fighters have been infiltrating Iraq’s borders with the mission of destroying the country’s progression. They are terrified of what a Democratic Middle East will do to extremist Islam in that region. Sure, Iraqis are killing each other. There is also support from outside countries such as Iran and Syria, providing fighters, weapons and money. Our enemies in Iraq are the enemies of Iraq. The enemies of Iraq are those who fight against the people and the government of Iraq. They are losing and they know it.)
Then in response to this jerks assumptions that CNN had the right to show the terrorists propaganda film:
(No, American’s do not have the right to see American soldiers getting shot. And what a ridiculous presumption of a right! The last thing our military needs to be worrying about is their loved ones watching them get killed on CNN. Is the fear of death not enough? Why do you need/want to see it anyway? Do I have the right to watch your loved one die in a car accident/of cancer/of murder/of whatever??? Additionaly, such videos are obviously distributed by our enemies. For them to have the ability to get their propaganda distributed not only throughout the west, but the world, is an advantage that they do not and should not have. Why would you want to assist the enemies of your nation in their recruitment? The wounded and dead Iraqis don’t need to be displayed either. If they are dead enemies, that is another story. I couldn’t care less. I don’t think it needs to be on network news, but, if someone desires to see them, I don’t see why it shouldn’t be available.)
(Winning means we continue to press forward in Iraq. If CNN focused on every violent act that occurred in the state of California and aired it continuously, it would look terrible. While there certainly is violence in Iraq and security problems, there has been consistent progress there. We continue to build schools and strengthen infrastructure. Their economy continues to grow and their technology continues to advance. See my article Staying the Course for more detail.
Nothing was “apparent” prior to the invasion other than the potential threats that were in Iraq. We won the war against Saddam Hussein in Iraq and now fight the war on terrorism in Iraq. The United States didn’t create the war. Terrorists did when they attacked the United States and Saddam Hussein did when he refused time and time again to cooperate with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Had he cooperated and verified his claims that he had no weapons, things would have been different. But he refused, and the United States had an obligation to ensure the security of the American people. Your cherished John Kerry agreed Saddam was a threat. He supported the invasion. And Saddam was certainly a threat.
How can you say there is little evidence of “terrorists” and “insurgents” in Iraq? What was Zarqawi? He was a self proclaimed leader of Al Qeida in Iraq! There are dozens upon dozens of terrorist groups in Iraq. Who do you think is killing Iraqi government leaders? Who do you think is blowing up civilians in the markets? Who do you think is launching mortars into crowds of women and children?
Every Iraq is not armed to the teeth. The Iraqi government has specifications on what weapons are authorized for the general public. Certain weapons are permitted for self defense, and upstanding Iraqi citizens abide by the laws. Of course the Iraqi citizens are not seen as the enemy. Nor are the Iraqi citizens viewing our troops as the enemy. There is certainly frustration. More than anything the people of Iraq fear what will happen if the United States leaves prematurely. They know they will be slaughtered as foreign funded militias and terrorist groups fight for control of the country. They know what is at stake and want to see their country succeed just as bad as we do. They are far more intelligent then you give them credit for and their resolve certainly is stronger than yours.)
This is what our troops think about those that cry out, bring our troops home, they are not winning.... and yet they continue to fight for those same peoples RIGHT to insult them.
It is a crying shame that our soldiers go out and fight for us, then have to come home and fight the politicians and the medias LIES.....
Do YOU listen to our soldiers? Do you even care what our soldiers believe? Do YOU care about anything but getting your politician into the office so that they can invalidate every damn thing our soldiers have done and are still doing for us?
Who do YOU believe? Our politicians or our troops? Those that fight with a pen, or those that risk their lives for you? Those that have never put a boot on the ground or those that vote with their feet on the ground?
Who do YOU honor?
Ask yourself this when you go to the voting booth.
Don't take my word for this, go read what our soldiers are saying for yourself. If you dare. Simply search for "Military Blogs".
The Soldiers Keep Speaking , Another Soldier Speaks and "American Soldier Speaks to Ant-War Protesters." are related articles.
Last but not least, Saddam to be hanged. Good riddance to bad rubbish.
Those posting on it are:
Woman Honor Thyself.
Freedom Eden.
Bullwinkle Blog.
Jihad Watch.
Right Voices.
USS Neverdock.
Right Thoughts.
RedState.
Stop the ACLU.
Church and State.
Open Trackback:
Conservative Cat.
Msnbc polls show republicans keeping the senate.
Mary Katharine Ham has good news.
