Paul Whitaker
9th February 2007, 10:23 PM (22:23)
Baghdad. Cyndi's blog had this entry for today. Please pray for Cyndi.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Surge, surging hope for Iraqis
I've spent the greater part of the last two days in meetings talking about the surge - what it means to programming here - the resources needed and planning a way forward to provide ancillary support for the military surge requested by President Bush.
There were local people in attendance at these meetings and I found their comments the most interesting part of the two days. I had the opportunity to eat lunch with two of them yesterday giving me an opportunity to talk more in depth about their views and that of their fellow Iraqis.
Without exception, the Iraqis said that the 90 - 95% of population who simply want peace - who do not participate in the insurgent and sectarian violence and who feel quite helpless in light of what is currently happening to them, are hopeful that with this surge, the situation here will finally be brought under control. They welcome the surge in troops as they don't trust their government, the armed forces or their police force. That's a sad commentary on the current political environment here however, one has to wonder yet again, why this is not being reported by the media in the US.
We discussed today the posiblity that in fact, this surge might not happen - or at least not be implemented as requested by the leadership of the armed forces because of the nine bills that have been presented in Congress to stop President Bush from as they see it, escalating the war - and what would happen in the country if this happens. Without exception, the Iraqis said if the surge is not allowed to go forward, Iraq is going to slip into utter chaos the likes of which we haven't begun to see here and that this is the last, best hope for Iraq. That's rather frightening.
I admit I vascillate back and forth having not agreed with our invasion of Iraq - and being so disturbed by the death and maiming of 1,000s of our troops, not to mention local Iraqis. On one hand, I think we should just up and leave. On the other, I realize we brought this mess on ourselves for reasons I've written about in previous blogs and we should have the courage to stay the course and help Iraqis bring stability to their country. I guess after the past couple of days, I firmly believe that we simply have to push to support this surge.
I'd encourage you all to write your congress men and women and tell them to support this surge. Painful as it is, I don't see any other way forward. We know that for the most part, the media shapes the opinions of the American public by what they choose to cover. After talking to numerous Iraqis in the past three weeks - and since coming here - and hearing their views - almost 100% of whom want us here - want the violence to stop - want to live in peace and do not have a fight to pick with the Americans we really do need to continue putting the pressure on the Iraqi government - and our own congress to do the right thing. We should also start putting pressure on the media to provide more balanced coverage.
I can feel a rant coming on so I'll stop. What's going on in Congress is a disgrace. What's gone on in Congress is a disgrace. How the media is covering this war is a disgrace...
I urge you to speak out.
Blessings to all!
Friday, February 09, 2007
Surge, surging hope for Iraqis
I've spent the greater part of the last two days in meetings talking about the surge - what it means to programming here - the resources needed and planning a way forward to provide ancillary support for the military surge requested by President Bush.
There were local people in attendance at these meetings and I found their comments the most interesting part of the two days. I had the opportunity to eat lunch with two of them yesterday giving me an opportunity to talk more in depth about their views and that of their fellow Iraqis.
Without exception, the Iraqis said that the 90 - 95% of population who simply want peace - who do not participate in the insurgent and sectarian violence and who feel quite helpless in light of what is currently happening to them, are hopeful that with this surge, the situation here will finally be brought under control. They welcome the surge in troops as they don't trust their government, the armed forces or their police force. That's a sad commentary on the current political environment here however, one has to wonder yet again, why this is not being reported by the media in the US.
We discussed today the posiblity that in fact, this surge might not happen - or at least not be implemented as requested by the leadership of the armed forces because of the nine bills that have been presented in Congress to stop President Bush from as they see it, escalating the war - and what would happen in the country if this happens. Without exception, the Iraqis said if the surge is not allowed to go forward, Iraq is going to slip into utter chaos the likes of which we haven't begun to see here and that this is the last, best hope for Iraq. That's rather frightening.
I admit I vascillate back and forth having not agreed with our invasion of Iraq - and being so disturbed by the death and maiming of 1,000s of our troops, not to mention local Iraqis. On one hand, I think we should just up and leave. On the other, I realize we brought this mess on ourselves for reasons I've written about in previous blogs and we should have the courage to stay the course and help Iraqis bring stability to their country. I guess after the past couple of days, I firmly believe that we simply have to push to support this surge.
I'd encourage you all to write your congress men and women and tell them to support this surge. Painful as it is, I don't see any other way forward. We know that for the most part, the media shapes the opinions of the American public by what they choose to cover. After talking to numerous Iraqis in the past three weeks - and since coming here - and hearing their views - almost 100% of whom want us here - want the violence to stop - want to live in peace and do not have a fight to pick with the Americans we really do need to continue putting the pressure on the Iraqi government - and our own congress to do the right thing. We should also start putting pressure on the media to provide more balanced coverage.
I can feel a rant coming on so I'll stop. What's going on in Congress is a disgrace. What's gone on in Congress is a disgrace. How the media is covering this war is a disgrace...
I urge you to speak out.
Blessings to all!