America is making gains in Iraq
By: JOHN KELLY - Commentary | ∞
I have just had the privilege of returning to Iraq and more specifically to Al Anbar Province for my third tour. I say privilege for a number of different reasons, not the least of which is the opportunity to again serve with young Americans ---- the best of their generation ---- in combat.
A second reason is there is no greater honor for any man or woman than to protect one's country in time of grave danger while wearing the nation's cloth. Finally, I do not think there can be anything more gratifying on this earth for an American than to participate in the freeing of a people from the grip of a tyrant, then helping those same people realize the benefits of democracy, to actually exercise the God-given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I have been away from Iraq for three years. What I have found in the week I have been back can only be described as shocking. When I was here last, dozens of improvised explosive devices detonated every day in Al Anbar. Firefights were as common as IEDs, and mortar and rocket attacks a nightly routine. The emirs of al-Qaida and other equally murderous groups predicted our imminent defeat as they pursued a sick form of extremism no rational man or woman here, or anyplace else, could fathom.
Many in our own country for any number of reasons began to lose faith, but the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who fought our enemy to a standstill never doubted or wavered in their determination to win.
Several days ago I walked through the market section of Fallujah. It was bustling with Iraqis of all ages buying and selling products of every description. Adults waved, pressed forward to shake hands and many, like good businessmen everywhere, tried to make a sale. Kids swarmed around the Marines trying out the few English words they have learned in schools that are all now open. Parents no longer fear to send their boys and girls to learn, a practice that under the extremists was often a death sentence.
When I last visited that city, it was the most dangerous place on earth. It was a gunfight going in and a gunfight coming out every day. The majority of the city's population lived in stark terror from the most evil men on the planet. It was the same then in Ramadi, Haditha and all the way along the Euphrates River Valley to the Syrian border ---- but no longer.
Like Fallujah, the schools are open, markets thrive and post-war recovery gains momentum across Al Anbar. This war is not won but is being won, and today primarily by the Iraqis themselves. Al-Qaida is not defeated, but it is on the ropes. Its membership knows that if they are foolish enough to come out of the holes they hide in, they will not only meet tough young Americans standing firm and unafraid, but also Iraqi police and soldiers in vastly increased numbers and effectiveness.
Iraq is still a dangerous place, but nothing like it was only a short time ago. We should see this thing through because it's the right thing to do, the American thing to do, and we have the new "Greatest Generation" in just enough numbers willing to give up the comfort of their homes and defend us all while spreading freedom to a people who have never known it.
Maj. Gen. John Kelly is the on-ground commander of Camp Pendleton and Miramar Marine Corps Airbase I Marine Expeditionary forces now serving in Iraq's Anbar province.
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Sad and Pointless wrote on Feb 9, 2008 9:39 PM:This story is so sad and pointless. This country was in turmoil prior to our occupation and will revert to it after we leave. We cannot have a permanent occupancy in this country. Everything about that is immoral and unjust.
John wrote on Feb 9, 2008 10:23 PM:From a cost benefit standpoint, the gains are not worth the mony we are borrowing from China to run the occupation in Iraq.
mohammad wrote on Feb 9, 2008 11:26 PM:why are so many Obama followers fans of Al Jazeera, the poison TV channel funded by mad Arabs
Chris wrote on Feb 10, 2008 12:41 AM:What a bunch of bull. How about the over four million people who left their homes because of ethinic cleansing. How free are they. We have to pay the sunnis in Al-Anbar (the same ones who drove the Shiites out of their homes in the provence) to work with us and now they are becoming angry with us because we are killing some of them, accidently of course. How about all the dead and those maimed for life. I guess we just chalk that up to the price of their freedom. We all know that a person will gladly give up their family for this supposed democracy. I am sick and tired of all this propaganda from these people who don't live in the country and just go there for a visit and listen to the lies by the military and come back and try to impress us with their great knowledge of the situation on the ground. What about the deprivation of no electricity and clean water or access to medical care? I am tired of the damn lies we are fed all the time about what is really going on.
War Hawk wrote on Feb 10, 2008 5:48 AM: America for NOW is winning the "war", thanks, GB. In the long run the Iraq government has already lose the war. All of the wasted blood and treasure thrown down a rat hole, and our own government is still trying to put lipstick on the pig. Vietnam, Vietnam, Vietnam!!!!
Fran wrote on Feb 10, 2008 6:24 AM:John Kelly should be interviewed on TV. Instead we get negative comments from naysayers and defeatists. Wake up and look at history! The majority of Iraquis are glad we're there and look forward to democracy. One sculpted a statue of a marine helping an Iraqui child. That's the kind of faith they have in what we're trying to help them achieve. Democracy, as in other countries after past wars. And if we sit on our hands, we may become what they once were.
What? wrote on Feb 10, 2008 7:44 AM:Hogwash!!!!
Sad Times wrote on Feb 10, 2008 12:17 PM:I expect that the Major General is a decent guy and has to believe what he wrote. You have to have believe what you are doing is right in order to continue something that is so wrong. It helps you sleep at night.
2 NCT wrote on Feb 10, 2008 12:20 PM:I can't believe you folks posted the comment from mohammad 11:26. I don't usually like censorship - but that guy needs his mouth washed out with soap.
General Mayhem wrote on Feb 10, 2008 12:31 PM:Wow! Propaganda prose! Oh General, I don't share your enthusiasm for this occupation. I don't see a future for America in Iraq. My national cloth is denim - not cammies. Your extremist language makes me doubt your integrity. Lines like, "The majority of the city's population lived in stark terror from the most evil men on the planet." - sounds scary, but do you REALLY believe it? What about Al-Qaida in Pakistan? You know - the guys who pulled off 9-11 and are still on the loose? Go back to Iraq General and pound sand. You and your tall tales are not welcome here. Maybe they enjoy them in the market place.
Chris wrote on Feb 10, 2008 1:23 PM:The goal was never democracy in Iraq. The Iraqis will have the government we impose on them. As far as a Marine helping a chiled maybe Fran can tell us how many of those children were killed thanks to our invasion. Or maybe Fran is willing to overlook that because it wasn't her child.
generation war wrote on Feb 10, 2008 1:35 PM:Maj. General Kelly praises our troops in Iraq, the "best of their generation" as they go into the fifth year of the occupation and subjugation of Iraq. He praises their honor for protecting our country in time of "grave danger". I guess he means our "grave danger" of running out of oil. He couldn't be implying that Iraq is now or ever was any kind of danger at all to the United States of America? And finally he speaks about how "gratifying" it is for an American to participate in freeing a people from the grip of tyranny and giving them the wonders of democracy. Is he talking about the 160,000 troops and another 100,000 "contractors" who allow Iraqis to have a U.S. puppet government to sell all their oil to us? Or our planes and soldiers killing Iraqi civilians on a daily ongoing basis? Or the deadly everyday terror of suicide bombers in an occupied broken nation? I am so proud of America at the moment I think I will throw up. We deserve all the death and destruction karma has planned for our sniveling cowardly nation. I hope it comes soon so our ruling government will see it and know what they have caused. Then our children will know not to follow in our evil footsteps.
jvc wrote on Feb 10, 2008 3:01 PM:One of the great arguments from the NCT that was used by them to reject my
submitted Community Forum "opinion" was that it was not local enough!
Now I see many stories like this story above that
are being printed! Now it seems as though my submitted Community Forum piece titled,Leon Page's suit against Richart's settlement is plain wrong,
submitted on January 24,2008 will never be published!Not local enough?
Ben wrote on Feb 10, 2008 6:28 PM:America has won and is winning the war in Iraq.
The anti american bigots on these posts only further prove the point. You have the freedom to think and express differently. That would not be true if you were in an Al Qaeda group. Dissent is punished by death there.
In Iraq there is now freedom of dissent. Sour grapes on this forum because you know George Bush has beaten your heroes into the dirt.
WhoWhat wrote on Feb 10, 2008 6:40 PM:The posters of doom and loss above want our defeat and cannot accept progress or worst yet a victory in Iraq, for instance look at South Korea how they have succeeded when right across the border is North Korea which is what the posters above want for the Iraqis and deep down wish the same fate on America, starving and fascist, defendant on the state.
Has Ben wrote on Feb 10, 2008 8:46 PM:I'm really tired of the same old rants - You are lucky you have the freedoms we have in America so shut up and stop using them. Get real Ben. I can only speak for myself when I say that I am a tax paying, free thinking American who disagrees with the puff piece the General has written here. If you don't like my opinion - go pound sand with the General and stop telling me how to use my freedom. BTW - the only GWB has beaten is the republican coalition.
WhoWhat wrote on Feb 10, 2008 8:53 PM:Typo, The last line was supposed to read, "starving, fascist and dependent on the state".
Who What HUH? wrote on Feb 10, 2008 8:56 PM:The viscious name calling and gross exageration is absurd. If you really believe the things you have said about your fellow Americans, you need may counseling or medication. South Korea is not the example that instills great enthusiasm about this quagmire. Is that what winning is? I thought that was a stalemate. I have a simple suggestion for those anti-American, blame liberal for everything first, then balme them again crowd. Get your fannies to Iraq post haste and don't let the door hit you on the way out. Then you all can fight islamo-facists for another 50 -100 years and we can finally get some peace in this country. Until then - stop spending my taxes on this demolition derby and fix America first.
Mj wrote on Feb 11, 2008 11:59 AM:I'm the first to disagree with the reasons for this war. We should not be in Iraq - they didn't attack us. BUT, we are there and can't go back in time.
Any one else with a son or daughter serving in Iraq?
Some of your comments make me sick. PLEASE feel free to walk the streets of Fallujah or Ramadi and give your own report. My son would rather be in the safety of his home blogging YOUR comments.
JO wrote on Feb 17, 2008 8:00 AM:I have known John Kelly since we were both 12 years old. It is ok to be against the war and angry at the current administration, but your insults to a fine man about whom you know nothing are beneath contempt. General Kelly deeply cares about this country and the young men and women who serve under him. I don't know a better person than General Kelly.
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