Need help debunking this letter

[wtmusic]

Republican friend sent me this letter which supposedly came from a soldier in Iraq. It is disturbing on so many levels *beyond* the fact that it is more than likely propaganda...

"Just to give you a brief synopsis of me, I am 37 years old and married (wife Donna) with two children Jonathan (13) and Stephanie (12). I live in Jasper Georgia where the summers are sweltering with humidity and the mosquitoes are our state bird. ...Anyway, I am very glad that you have took the time to write this soldier who is missing his family so very much.. Believe me from eyes that are over here, we are doing the right thing! Even though so many of us are making sacrifices by our time, lives, and labor; we NEED to help these people over here. They are ignorant to the ways of current Civilization, and technology. However poverty stricken they may appear, they are content in their simple lives and simply "don't know" how bad they have it over here. Why? For the past 20 generations, families have ALL lived the same way. I hope to quell any doubts you may harbor regarding our mission over here. Everything that we are doing here is helping these people.....Don't listen to the news totally... They focus on the horribly bad things... Focus on thousands of kids being able to go to school for the first time, or having running water in their houses, or having a community sewage system for the first time EVER! These people no longer have to worry about ruffians taking advantage of the week, or unfortunate. Why? US... The only thing now isgetting them to take care of themselves... They are like children learning about civilization for the first time.... Or I should say, "Westernized Civilization". I am sorry about the length of the letter. I am kind of long winded today for some reason and I got on a tangent...

It is very nice of you to write me, and I appreciate your support very much.

Thank you,

Christopher S. Miller
FOB ROW (The Southern Tip of the Triangle of Death)

[TomClash]

1. That's funny - my cousin, nephew and friend's son

never wrote letters expressing those views. And they were or are stationed in the Sunni Triangle.

[wtmusic]

3. If you have a letter

(redacted or not) I'd like to send another POV back to him

[TomClash]

21. I have e-mails but they are private

I'm not posting them.

But here's a letter Marcy Kaptur read on the Floor of the House last month:

Letter From an Iraq Vet

"What I witnessed was the total opposite of what President Bush told the American people"

by Sgt. John Bruhns

Editor's note: Following is a letter by Army Sgt. John Bruhns, excerpts of which were read on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) on July 19, 2005.

<snip>

The invasion was very confusing, and so was the period of time I spent in Iraq afterward. At first it did seem as if some of the Iraqi people were happy to be rid of Saddam Hussein. But that was only for a short period of time. Shortly after Saddam's regime fell, the Shiite Muslims in Iraq conducted a pilgrimage to Karbala, a pilgrimage prohibited by Saddam while he was in power. As I witnessed the Shiite pilgrimage, which was a new freedom that we provided to them, they used the pilgrimage to protest our presence in their country. I watched as they beat themselves over the head with sticks until they bled, and screamed at us in anger to leave their country. Some even carried signs that stated, "No Saddam, No America." These were people that Saddam oppressed; they were his enemies. To me, it seemed they hated us more than him.

At that moment I knew it was going to be a very long deployment. I realized that I was not being greeted as a liberator. I became overwhelmed with fear because I felt I never would be viewed that way by the Iraqi people. As a soldier this concerned me. Because if they did not view me as a liberator, then what did they view me as? I felt that they viewed me as foreign occupier of their land. That led me to believe very early on that I was going to have a fight on my hands.

During my year in Iraq I had many altercations with the so-called insurgency. I found the insurgency I saw to be quite different from the insurgency described to the American people by the Bush administration, the media, and other supporters of the war. There is no doubt in my mind there are foreigners from other surrounding countries in Iraq. Anyone in the Middle East who hates America now has the opportunity to kill Americans because there are roughly 140,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. But the bulk of the insurgency I faced was from the people of Iraq, who were attacking us as a reaction to what they felt was an occupation of their country.

I was engaged actively in urban combat in the Abu Ghraib area, west of Baghdad. Many of the people who were attacking me were the poor people of Iraq. They were definitely not members of al-Qaeda or leftover Ba'ath Party members, and they were not former members of Saddam's regime. They were just your average Iraqi civilians who wanted us out of their country.

On Oct. 31, 2003, the people of the Abu Ghraib area organized a large uprising against us. They launched a massive assault on our compound in the area. We were attacked with AK-47 machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars. Thousands of people took to the streets to attack us. As the riot unfolded before my eyes, I realized these were just the people who lived there. There were men, women and children participating. Some of the Iraqi protesters were even carrying pictures of Saddam Hussein. My battalion fought back with everything we had and eventually shut down the uprising.

<snip>

In closing, I ask that we never forget why this war started. The Bush administration cried weapons of mass destruction and a link to al-Qaeda We know that this was false, and the Bush administration concedes it as well. As a soldier who fought in that war, I feel misled. I feel that I was sent off to fight for a cause that never existed. When I joined the military, I did so to defend the United States of America, not to be sent off to a part of the world to fight people who never attacked me or my country. Many have died as a result of this. The people who started this war need to start being honest with the American people and take responsibility for their actions. More than anything, they need to stop saying everything is rosy and create a solution to this problem they created.


http://www.antiwar.com/orig/bruhns.php?articleid=6902

You can also try http://www.VIAW.org and soldiers for the truth http://www.sftt.org

[NeoTraitors]

10. 'They never show you the good news in Iraq. They

only focus on the bad.' I have heard this more than a few times. My answer is that the chimp is building schools for the Iraqi people with our grandchildren's money.

Since when have Republicans been so strongly supportive of foriegn aid?

[TomClash]

23. Or Nation-building!

Remember Rice denigrating Clinton for that? What a joke.

[Hubert Flottz]

41. If there really WAS any good things happening in Iraq, don't you

think that the Reich Wingers like Wolf and Bile O'really, would be running the footage 24/7! There are good things...IF you are a Halliburton share holder!

[firefox]

2. Iraq is one of the most educated countries in the world

Just because they have been bombed into third world status and the educated are leaving the country, does not mean they are equal to some island in New Guinea. When there was oil money they sent their brightest to the finest universities in the world. They especially had a lot of architects and civil engineers.

Here are Google results for "Iraq" and "demographics" http://tinyurl.com/dl3xd

[wtmusic]

9. I find that attitude so fucking offensive I can't stand it

Cradle of civilization. Anthropological finds lost forever due to our moronic ham-handedness.

S'okay, a few Wal-Marts and those people won't even care if they can afford food...:grr:

[madeline_con]

13. "... some island in New Guinea ..."

New Guinea Islanders have civilization. Just not "Westernized Civilization". ;)

[TomClash]

4. Oh, and by the way

did he happen to mention those WMDs?

[tocqueville]

5. welcome to the world (answer to Miller)

1) your ways are probably not their ways, and it's not sure that they are better for that

2) you don't have to be in the US Army to help people. There are plenty of NGOs for that

3) Iraq is far better off despite all destruction than some other countries in the world. Would be even better off if left alone.

[madeline_con]

6. Written BY an idiot....

for other idiots to read:

"... you have took the time to write "

"... we NEED to help these people over here. They are ignorant to the ways of current Civilization, and technology ..."

"They are like children learning about civilization for the first time.... Or I should say, "Westernized Civilization" ..."


Sounds like the Brits' 'white man's burden' in Africa.


"For the past 20 generations, families have ALL lived the same way."

Much like his folks in GA, I would imagine. :evilgrin:

[MisterP]

7. "I think it would be a good idea"

[cssmall]

8. Baghdad had 5 major universities, alone.

That doesn't even mention that Saddam was a secular leader.

[nosmokes]

11. well the jasper schools need some work,

for starters...

[Erika]

12. The Iraqi professionals are now leaving Iraq

because its being run by goons and extremists. See at
http://portal.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news

If they don't have a positive view, I'd say they know what they are talking about.

Have your friend also check www.icasualties.org daily. Bushco/Rice says we're making political progress. Bull.

First link won't work. Have them read the first article now appearing on www.icasualties.org about the elite now leaving Iraq.

[wtmusic]

24. Sent it back

thanks! :thumbsup:

[spindoctor]

14. I think he is talking about Jasper, Georgia

Because he is obviously NOT giving an accurate account of Iraq.

[wtmusic]

17. LOL!

I was waiting for, "but enough about Georgia...Iraq is a nasty hellhole!" :D

[noahmijo]

15. Umm the children have always been able to go to school

In fact because Saddam was so power hungry he made it priority to outlaw sharia law and any other in other backwards beliefs that suppressed women from joining the worker bee force that would've impeded economic growth.

The fact of the matter is the two things that made Saddam evil were A. if you talked bad about him he'd have your tongue cut out B. He sat on a wealth of oil that rightfully belongs to BushCo. or "Arbusto"

[wtmusic]

19. Interesting that he says "thousands" of kids can go to school

in a nation of 24 million people, that's some accomplishment :eyes:

[noahmijo]

16. Umm the children have always been able to go to school

In fact because Saddam was so power hungry he made it priority to outlaw sharia law and any other in other backwards beliefs that suppressed women from joining the worker bee force that would've impeded economic growth.

The fact of the matter is the two things that made Saddam evil were A. if you talked bad about him he'd have your tongue cut out B. He sat on a wealth of oil that rightfully belongs to BushCo. or "Arbusto"

Never have to worry about ruffians taking over? guess what Saddam tortured ruffians that's how he got things done. Evil method of doing it but that's what he did. He used ruffians to oust other ruffians (and unfortunately anyone who made fun of his mother) and now that he's gone the Islamic Extremist ruffians are going to make sure all the little babies kneel before the mighty Allah or else hell will come early.

[howmad1]

18. "I live in Jasper, Georgia........."

I stopped reading after that line. Probably has a confederate flag sewn on his uniform and an IQ of about 17. What a moron. }(

[RebelOne]

33. Hey, Hey, just because someone lives in Georgia

does not mean they are an ignorant redneck. This guy may be, but I live in Georgia and I am not by any stretch of the imagination a moron. In fact, Jasper is just a few miles from my town.

[snot]

20. We need to confirm whether this guy really exists

If not, we need to send it to O'Reilly or someone, let him use it, and then debunk it.

[wtmusic]

25. Know of any way to find out?

There have been letters in the past where DU vets have been able to show the author didn't exist...

[ScrappyDem]

26. Looks like a real person

Here's a post on the AJC site that would be him---If he's not real then it's fairly elaborate.

The letter however does not necessarily proport real-ness, just facts that can be googled

and this unit 1/108th Co. B is listed as CEDARTOWN, GA, so the location works--and they have recently (June) been sent


http://www.ajc.com/news/content/custom/blogs/guard/entries/2005/05/27/troops_face_cha.html

By Donna Miller- Jasper Ga
May 27, 2005 11:31 PM | Link to this
Spc. Christopher S. Miller 48th BDE - 1-108th Co. B:
My husband, my friend, and my soul mate know and Remember in the long days to come, that your family stands behind you 110%! You and all of Co. B are in our every thought and prayer. We love and miss you.
ÒThe Soldiers we honor today, could have chosen another profession - one that was safer, or less demanding, or more profitable.Ó They choose to defend our country and make life safer for us all. Heroes are our husbands, wives, sons, and daughters. Please keep them in your prayers.
Thank you 48th BDE. Come home safe! We love you all.

[Maru Kitteh]

22. Sounds like a phony letter written by some Puke who has Iraq confused

with the very poor rural areas of Afganistan. It still would not validate this imaginary mans condecending additude or serve as any kind of justifacation for the illigal invasion of a sovereign nation or the resulting deaths of over 100,000 people.

Anybody checked snopes?

[ScrappyDem]

27. I spent about 2 minutes on google

and I was able to find enough facts about the person in question for me to readily say that the person was at least probably authentic. I don't think there is maliciousness here, but perhaps not everyone is seeing the same apart of the elephant? And perhaps not everyone in the military has the same experiences to describe the situation in quite the same manner.

Real or not perhaps some of the condescension may be a little overboard?

I may be new here, but a wee bit of fact checking can go a long way. I really think better of the people here.

Not everyone in Georgia has a confederate flag on their bumper nor do I believe that everyone in Georgia has a 17 IQ, at least President Carter doesn't.

[wtmusic]

34. thanks

I didn't find anything hence the post. There were so many letters like this flying around at one time which had been proven to be fabrications.

Based on the wealth of information which contradicts this letter, I'd have to say (without condescension) that this soldier is either:

1) In some serious denial
2) In an unpopulated part of the country
3) Gullible

The idea that someone "doesn't know how bad their situation is" just sounds silly. Billions of people worldwide live a simple agrarian life. Who are we to invade their country and kill their sons, while claiming to make it better?

welcome to DU

:bounce: :toast: :bounce:

[bos1]

28. Read Riverbend

As others have mentioned, that letter is just a lie and turns reality on its head (again). Iraq had an advanced infrastructure that was destroyed by the US in the "Shock and Awe".

Though not a specific resource, try reading through this blog by a young Iraqi woman. She oftens spends time on how the electricity and water are screwed since the war and was fine before> http://riverbendblog.blogspot.com

[ScrappyDem]

29. I have the address and phone number

got it from that really difficult thing to use called the internet, (google)

I will give Donna a call tomorrow and find out if her husband wrote this. Isn't that the point?

[bos1]

30. yes that is the point, go for it and let us know

[ScrappyDem]

36. OOOPS--real person

real person

[bos1]

42. so what happened? did you call?

[ck4829]

31. Iraqis know about technology

They have computers and they use the Internet.

[deutsey]

32. Yeah. I'm sure all the Iraqis, as ignorant and simple as they are,

truly appreciate that we have liberated them from electricity, drinkable water, social stability. All the blessings of civilization.

:eyes:

Send this person a copy of Mark Twain's essay "To a Person Sitting in Darkness".

Quote:

“There must be two Americas, one that sets the captive free, and one that takes a once-captive’s new freedom away from him....”

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[patdem]

35. He has been there since MAY of 2005, a real experct on Iraq

they had NO training before going in.

Quote from link: All will receive about a week of intensive language, history and cultural training before the assignment begins.

http://www.ajc.com/news/content/custom/blogs/guard/entries/2005/05/27/troops_face_cha.html#comment-231015

[OrlandoGator]

37. "Civilization" = Killing 100,000 civilians.

I suppose, in this guy's Bizarroworld.

[goodboy]

38. for the part about "running water" almost all preventable child deaths

in Iraq are due to unsanitary drinking water.

[ComerPerro]

39. Every republican "belief" or argument is based on a lie

Its amazing.

These people, before we liberated them, apparently had no electricity, running water, or concept of modern civilization.

And the poor kids, they couldn't go to school.

Smells like complete bullshit to me. Some freeper douchebag in the 101st Keyboardists probably typed this out with one hand while stroking Bush with the other.


I wonder why this "soldier" didn't mention how he introduced the Iraqi people to the concept of the wheel? I'm sure they didn't have wheels under Saddam...

[The_Casual_Observer]

40. The folksy tone of that letter is the same as all the of ones

written by the the CIA psyops people. The structure, sound and flow are always the same. They always have this "So and so, anyhow," bullshit thing.