WaTimes Editorial - An Antiwar Message from the Midwest
Posted by Andy on February 23rd, 2006
Too bad the local news rags don’t have this type of journalistic standards (ahem cahones). We have to get factual accounts of a local scandal involving the Democrats of Minnesota calling Iraq war veterans un-American from the Washington Times.
A conservative group recently started an advertising campaign in Minnesota showing veterans and families of slain troops expressing their support for the Iraq war, only to have the head of the state Democratic Party condemn the ads as “un-American, untruthful and a lie.” He furthermore demands that Minnesota television stations pull the ads “and send a message that we will not tolerate this kind of ’swiftboating’ anymore.” At least one station so far has complied with the request, which is reason enough for outrage.
But there’s been precious little of that. Aside from a handful of bloggers covering the issue and an appearance of one of the veterans on Fox News’ “Hannity and Colmes,” the media has ignored the issue completely, essentially proving one of the ad campaign’s main points. The current media meme, at least as it concerns the homefront, is that most returning veterans have turned against the war and those still in field are demoralized and jaded. Meanwhile, parents of slain troops like Cindy Sheehan continue to rack up air time and column inches. The ad campaign seeks to correct this blatant misrepresentation.
Which is exactly why Democrats are trying to stop it with accusations that the ads are somehow “untruthful.” The claim is absurd on its face, but their list of so-called lies is so slim that a brief analysis is warranted. The veterans in the first ad say that “our enemy in Iraq is al Qaeda — the same terrorists who killed three thousand Americans on 9/11.” To liberal ears, this is apparently the equivalent of claiming Iraq was behind September 11. But that’s not what the veterans said. In any case, last we checked Abu Musab Zarqawi, who has publicly sworn loyalty to Osama bin Laden, is the leader of “Al Qaeda in Iraq.”
Democrats have also taken issue with the ad’s statement that U.S. troops “overwhelmingly” support the mission — a fact clearly upheld by record-setting retention rates in the military branches. The retention rate in the Army, for instance, is the highest it’s been in five years, especially in combat units currently serving in Iraq. And that about covers the “lies.”
The more disturbing issue here is that Democrats are trying to silence a contrary point of view, and are doing so by calling soldiers and military families “un-American.” Whenever Republicans attempt to counter antiwar sentiment, be it from the Cindy Sheehans or Paul Hacketts, Democrats shed crocodile tears over the “crushing of dissent.” But this is what crushing dissenters actually looks like — a smear campaign designed explicitly to keep the public from hearing the other side.
Fortunately, readers can see the ads for themselves at www.midwestheroes.com and decide what’s so “un-American” about soldiers and families supporting the war.
But then again, the DFL stepped in a big pile of steaming you know what when they attacked these veterans and called them un-American. No wonder the DFLs’ allies in the local media have buried this one.
Thanks to the WaTimes for doing a service to those who have served us.
Gog Bless our troops and their mission!
Update: Katherine Kersten has a Commentary piece that does a nice job putting a local face to the names that the DFL smeared.
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February 23rd, 2006 at 11:42 am
” the state Democratic Party condemn the ads as “un-American, untruthful and a lie.” - How can it be un-American to suppport the troops and their mission for democracy in the Middle East? Sadly, the DFL is doing the greatest disservice to these men and women who serve for us by condemning any positive news about what is actually going on in Iraq. This has become a political party agenda for Democrats but they’re forgetting that these troops need our support to finish their mission and come home. If we pull out now as they want, we’re telling these men and women that they’re sacrificing their lives in vain. I was surprised and pleased to see these ads and the positive message they put forth - it’s rare in our mainstream media. Further, they easily dismiss the fact that the people in these ads are actual troops who served in Iraq and families who have lost a troop in the war. Now, criticizing these people for voicing their position on Iraq, that is Un-American…
February 27th, 2006 at 11:05 pm
I second the thanks for the WaTimes giving this story a little of attention. Not living in Minnesota I can attest that just like all the other positive advancements in Iraq, this story is being omitted from the national news. The fact that Minnesota Democrats are calling proud soldiers “un-American” should be alarming to Democrats throughout the country.
These men and women joined the U.S. military to protect our country today and tomorrow. Not only have soldiers, like those in the Midwest Heroes ads, taken great strides to protect America years down the road, but they’ve also created an entirely new Iraq.
This new Iraq now has a credible and growing police force. Citizens can now vote for their representatives. There is now a justice system and not simply a corrupt iron hand determining the law. The removal of tyrants and development of democratic institutions in Iraq is the definition of what America is about and how we were founded.
March 1st, 2006 at 7:13 pm
Finally, a news medium that is willing to say what we are all thinking and blogging and discussing at the dinner table. What absurdity to call these troops un-American. I am so thankful that we have men and women in the US Military who are not only willing to serve during a time of war but are willing to reenlist when they return. There is a higher rate of re-enlistment now then there has been in the last five years. That has to say something about how the troops feel about this war effort. They want to get the job done - to see the task completed. The troops are there to stop terrorism from spreading and to protect our soil, to ensure that the Iraqi citizens can stand on their own feet as a free nation before leaving, etc. We are on the right track. 225,000 members of the Iraqi army and police operated during the December elections compared to 130,000 during parliamentary elections in January 05. That’s nearly twice as many. The Iraqis are proudly engaging in the effort to protect their own borders and to live as a free democratic nation. That alone is enough to make me proud of my troops, of my country and of those who support them both.