I thought that some of my RTF pals would find this an interesting read. Joe
"I have found a certain type calls himself a Liberal...Now I always thought I was a Liberal. I came up terribly surprised one time when I found out that I was a Right-Wing Conservative Extremist, when I listened to everybody's point of view that I ever met, and then decided how I should feel. But this so-called new Liberal group, Jesus, they never listen to your point of view..."
John Wayne
----- Original Message ----- From: "Buddy & Delayne Pitman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Fw: The Iraqi Vote - comments from BG Jones, 1st Cav Div
Doug is my Brother-in-law. He is an instructor at the War College in Carlisle , PA. This article was written from a former student of his.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Douglas V. Johnson II" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Just in case you didn't see it -- former student Subject: The Iraqi Vote -
comments from BG Jones, 1st Cav Div
To all, This great note is making the rounds today. Definitely worth a few moments of your time to ponder. From the 1st Cav Div's ADC in Baghdad, aka 'straight from the horse's mouth'! Regards, Rich America's First Team!, 1990-1995 "If ya' ain't Cav, ya' ain't!"
-----Original Message----- From: Jones, Michael D. BG [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, January 30, 2005 4:25 PM Subject: Victory for Freedom
Dear Friends,
It isn't over yet, but today there was a resounding victory for freedom
and democracy here in Baghdad. Having been here for a while now, many of
us have grown weary of the hand-wringers, worriers, pessimists, whiners, and
host of others who have been telling us for so long that all is lost in
Iraq. Today we witnessed just how courageous the Iraqi people can be and how
much they love their new-found freedom.
After listening to the pundits tell us how terrible the Iraqi Security
Forces are, today I watched the Iraqi Security Forces stand tall. They
protected 1,188 polling sites in Baghdad. Although there were a number
of suicide bombers who attacked today, not a single one penetrated the
perimeter of a polling site. There were several Iraqi policemen, and
several Iraqi soldiers who lost their lives today. But they did not lose
their honor or their courage; none of the 30,000 plus Iraqi Security Forces
on duty in Baghdad ran away from danger today.
At the site of our first suicide bombing of the day, voters did not lose their courage either. They quickly lined back up at the same site, spitting on the body of the suicide bomber as they passed by in line to vote. A woman came out of line and took the shoe of the bomber and put it on his face- a great insult to an Arab. The same was true at any polling site that had violence. Voters immediately lined up again to cast their vote. How many Americans value their privilege to vote enough to show that kind of courage?
We have listened to many experts talk about how the Sunnis would not participate in the election. Polling sites in Abu Guyreb were moved to Gasaliya because the Iraqi Election Commission was concerned about security in Abu Guyrb. We watched thousands walk down the highway- Sunni Moslems- on the 7 mile round trip to the polling sites so they could vote. All under the threat that terrorists had been making that they would kill anyone who voted. How many Americans would do that?
All over Baghdad the story was the same and I could tell a dozen stories
of great courage and determination. Despite the enemy's campaign of
terror, despite danger, threats, intimidation, and the sporadic incidents
of violence and terror today, Iraqis turned out in determined, large
numbers to vote. The excitement was moving. Even though the terrorists
have said they will kill anyone with a "marked finger" (when you voted your
finger was dipped in ink to keep people from voting a second time), voters
paraded down the street holding their fingers up in joy and overwhelming
pride.
When I told one Iraqi I was sorry that people had died or been wounded today, he just said "freedom has a price, and this is the price that we must pay". And every Iraqi I talked to said thank you to the United States for this opportunity, for this freedom, and how grateful they were for our help.
I am sure it will only be hours until you start hearing all the "experts",
most of which have never been to Iraq, start trying to convince us that
today was flawed, failed, or somehow less than a wonderful day and a
blow for freedom. They are the same people who say we are failing here,
that you couldn't do an election on the 30th of January, and on and on.
It is true we haven't "won" here yet. It is not predetermined that we will
win, and it will take continued sacrifice and determination on our part.
Those who hate freedom and democracy will still fight, many to the death, to
try to stop this march to freedom and prosperity by the Iraqis with our
help.
They are terrified of the thought of a free and democratic Iraq that leads
this whole region to a democratic future.
But despite this, I encourage you from here in Baghdad, for at least one day, to ignore the pundits and experts, to enjoy a day where a blow for freedom was struck. Know that somewhere in the world, because of the sacrifice of your friends, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, and countrymen, good won over evil, freedom over terror, and democracy over despotism.
Last June 30, Iraq was given their sovereignty. Today, they earned their freedom. And we should all be joyful for that.
All the Best,
Mike
_______________________________________________ RTF mailing list RTF@rolltidefan.net http://rolltidefan.net/mailman/listinfo/rtf_rolltidefan.net
