IRAQI FAIRS

 

 

Op/Ed

 

I rarely offer up an opinion piece to my readers, but after seeing this video I felt compelled to address this issue.

 

Our government has lead us to believe that a big part of the war on terror, now called something else, is at least in part, to win the hearts and minds of the people we are there to help.

“Hearts and Minds” is a euphemism for a campaign started by the Bush Administration and United States military, intended to justify and win the popular support by Americans for the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. 

When an oppressed people live in fear of local warlords or thugs, liberating forces like the U.S. Army are sent to try to protect and help them in order to direct their allegiance away from dangerous extremist groups such as the Taliban in Afghanistan and Al Qaeda.

An important part of the U.S. military action in the Middle East is to try and win the hearts and minds of its people, so when I saw the attached video I was not only shocked and dismayed but was very disappointed in our troops’ actions. The video depicts our troops in Iraq taunting and mocking Iraqi children in the public streets. Having these kids repeat degrading and derogatory chants against their own country and religion just so they can get some treats is not amusing.  Encouraging Iraqi street kids to chase our military armored vehicles down dangerous streets, risking life and limb, by running behind these vehicles for long distances just to have bottles of water chucked at them by American GIs who are laughing the entire time, is not the image most Americans have of a US soldier sent to liberate and serve. 

 

Another American GI, video tapes and makes fun of a disfigured Iraqi boy and calls him, “the ugliest kid” he had ever seen while laughing and pointing at the boy who was in obvious need of some sort of assistance.

 

In still another scene recorded by the GIs, sheep herders were resting along a highway with their sheep, while an armored US caravan drove by and mercilessly attacked the defenseless group with an explosive device maiming and killing some of the sheep but even more sickening, possibly some of the sheep herders. The attack appears completely unprovoked and received loud cheers and laughter from the GIs that just continued driving down the road not at all concerned about the damage and potential unnecessary an unprovoked death they may have caused.

 

The video ends with an American GI holding a scared, defenseless, loudly whimpering puppy by its neck.  Then, for no apparent reason other than for fun, throws the puppy 30 or 40 yards in the air across the desert.  The defenseless puppy comes down in thud and lands hard on the ground.  No other sound is heard from the puppy as it is surely injured and left to fend for itself while the soldier just laughs.

 

One American mother of a serving GI in theater said after she saw the video it made her sick at her stomach.  

 

This video demonstrates abhorrent conduct by our troops resulting in an extremely negative impact on the very people we are trying to help.  Behavior like this undermines all of the positive acts that our military does in theater, and can be as damaging to our global image, as the so called “humanitarian bombing” missions, using our Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) resulting in numerous deaths of innocents, or collateral damage as it is more commonly known, while targeting the enemy.  Currently, military UAVs, or drones controlled by US Military here at home, perform numerous successful reconnaissance and attack missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan; they have also been prone to collateral damage and/or erroneous targeting. It is reported that the U.S. has upwards of 3000 UAVs in the war on terror.  However, even though there may be situations beyond their control, the soldiers manning these drones are not subject to the same effects war has as those soldiers on the ground.   

 

I don’t agree that the deplorable actions by these young Americans on this video rise to the level of the Nazis in WWII Germany, as the video suggests. This conduct may be a venting process due to the perils of war endured by our soldiers.  To them, these actions may seem trivial compared to what they have seen and experienced, especially after extended and multiple tours.  However, I do think their actions are sickening to most Americans.  Our soldiers should be held to the highest standard and should lead by example.  We, as citizens, have a duty and responsibility to protect our men and women from suffering negative consequences associated with their action in this war. If these actions are a result of the frustration, mental anguish, and fatigue from fighting this war, we need to bring them home immediately.  However, if these are the actions of a few rogue, infernal soldiers, they should be held accountable for their conduct. 

These actions are counter-productive and do not show what America is about or what our nation stands for.  It is this type of conduct that hurts America’s image among the peoples of the world and fosters hate towards America and its citizens.  It only fuels the hatred aimed at the US and fosters an environment where it is easier to recruit more terrorists and enemies of the United States.  It also puts our troops and American civilians in even more danger.  Not to mention, it really highlights and causes me to question whether the billions of dollars being spent on this war are really necessary.

 

Apparently this video is not an anomaly but an average day in the life of some of our troops serving, in this police action, called a war. It is this type of behavior we need to put an end to, NOW!

Would God bless America..????

 

 Some cold blooded Americans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9YpeauieL0

To see complete video go to: www.lagunajournal.com

Michael Webster’s Syndicated Investigative Reports are read worldwide, in 100 or more U.S. outlets and in at least 136 countries and territories. He publishes articles in association with global news agencies and media information services with more than 350 news affiliates in 136 countries. Many of Mr. Webster’s articles are printed in six working languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish. With ten more languages planed in the near future.

Mr. Webster is America’s leading authority on Venture Capital/Equity Funding. He served as a trustee on some of the nation’s largest trade Union funds. A noted Author, Lecturer, Educator, Emergency Manager, Counter-Terrorist, War on Drugs and War on Terrorist Specialist, Business Consultant, Newspaper Publisher. Radio News caster. Labor Law generalist, Teamster Union Business Agent, General Organizer, Union Rank and File Member Grievances Representative, NLRB Union Representative, Union Contract Negotiator, Workers Compensation Appeals Board Hearing Representative. Mr. Webster represented management on that side of the table as the former Director of Federated of Nevada.  

Many people are confused as to why the war in Iraq never comes to an end. They want the war on terror to be fought, but they don’t like to sacrifice American soldiers’ lives.

It is time to look at this war in a Biblical sense. Separate from the modern day prophets who say this war fulfills the end of times.

I would like to look at Iraq and the Arab people in a different spiritual light. Where did they come from and why are they such a threat to the democratic way of life.

The Bible states that Abraham had two sons. Ishmael was the son born through Sarah’s Egyptian maid servant. Ishmael became the father of the Arabs and the forefather of the Islam religion. While Isaac was a result of a promise. He became the father of Israel, who would bring us the Laws of Moses and later Jesus Christ the Son of God.

The Jewish faith brought a completely different concept to living in this world. It revealed God’s heart towards people. A Father who loved people and wished to teach people the right path to walk in this world with integrity and moral convictions.

The Laws of Moses gave the world a sense of order. Many of these laws became the very platform that Democracy was built from. Giving our world a guide in which to establish justice and to give people individual rights that lead to living in peace with their neighbors.

Rights that freed all of the citizens of the United States of America from the control of England and established our Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

These words became the beginning to living in a Democratic Nation that gave people the freedom to worship the way they wanted to and to live how they wanted to live. Our freedoms prevented Kings and Dictators from telling us how to live.

While Democracy used the Laws of Moses to establish laws in the United States. The Arabs became the descendants of the Muslims who established Islam.

Both believed in one God. Yet many differences in how they worship arise when we look closely at the teachings as handed down by Muhammad.

The Judeo-Christian Bible teaches people to love our neighbors as ourselves. To do good to our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us. They value and respect all human life.

Islam teaches that they are the only right religion and they are taught to hate Jews and anyone that teaches another god separate from their god.

The war in Iraq has illustrated a sharp contrast in cultural and religious differences. Giving revelation to why God states that the descendant’s of Ishmael will be in constant conflict with Israel and all other countries.

Genesis 16:11&12, “‘You are going to have a son, and you will name him Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your cry of distress. But your son will live like a wild donkey; he will be against everyone, and everyone will be against him. He will live apart from all his relatives.’”

To fight against a Muslim nation is to put ourselves in a no win situation. Yes, we can set up democratic governments, but we can’t change their religious belief system which is at the very core of their existences.

This is the very reason why a civil war is taking place in the middle of the Iraq war. Factions are fighting each other according to how they interpret their Islamic religion and according to the power they want over each other.

God chose Israel to proclaim how to follow Him. While Islam proclaims a god of revenge. A god that demands human sacrifice, and a one dimensional god that kills anyone that tries to make it change.

Islam justifies even using a person as a human bomb to attack any people including their own brothers that comes up against their religion or way of life. You cannot win against an enemy that does not respect human life.

The United States entered the war for the sole purpose of fighting terrorism and stopping the production of chemical weapons of mass production. Now we are trying to establish a government based on democracy.

When the war stops being about protecting our country and changes to a war about which Islamic Religion should governor the country, we can’t win!

The term, ‘Special Operation Units’ is used to refer to highly specialized and extensively trained military operation units who are known to perform highly volatile military operations. These forces are specially trained to participate in unconventional warfare tactics, reconnaissance as well as counter the highly dangerous terrorist activities. Around the world, in various countries, these ‘Special Operation Units’ are also termed as ‘Special Forces’ or ‘Special Operation Forces’.

Specialty of special operation units

Special Operation Units typically comprise of small teams of highly trained military personnel. These units are unique because unlike other military platoons, they operate on the principles of self sufficiency, speed, stealth and are extremely dependent on team work. These elements are what make these special operation units highly desirable for volatile and dangerous missions. The units are usually trained in using exclusive armament and special equipment to aid in their equally special operations.

Special Operation Units are called upon by the government to handle specialist situations like terrorism activities and other such dangerous activities both on the international and domestic front. On some occasions, such units are also termed as ‘force multipliers’ when they are used to train indigenous military forces in the specialist technique of guerrilla warfare.

Historic account

Special Operation Units have played a significant role in the shaping of nations and their respective militaries, the world over, since time immemorial. History has abundant accounts of the heroic tales of Special Forces across the world, who have played an important part in changing the destinies of nations. The special operation units are known for their sabotage and surprise ‘hit-and-run’ warfare techniques. They do not indulge in traditional face-front combat. Such units act as a single entity during the operation, which is the secret of their success. History has tales of ancient Chinese and Japanese Ninjas. These were special troops skilled in Martial arts, who indulged in espionage and specialist guerrilla warfare.

Special operation units in the world wars

Many such special operation units were part of World War I and World War II as well. The Italian “Reparti d’assalto” was famous for their shock attack techniques in World War I. In World War II, Winston Churchill also formed various specialist British operation units like Long-range Desert Unit, Special Naval and Air Service, various Raiding Forces etc.

Special operation units in the 21st century

In the early 21st Century, Special Forces were using by both sides in the effort to win sub-military operations. Examples can be cited from the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, War in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka etc. The most recent accounts of the special operation units can be cited from the recent war on Iraq, launched by the US to counter terrorism. The specialist force called the “Navy SEALs” were an important part of this operation. Using their shock and awe techniques, they defeated the Iraqi forces.