October 15th is a milestone date that citizens of Pennsylvania should become familiar with.

Moms birthday - she turns (edited to protect the old innocent).

For me, it marks the 15th anniversary of my graduation from the land that God forgot (Parris Island) and became a Marine.

Most importantly, this October 15th will mark the third anniversary of when Iraq further solidified their escape from tyranny by holding a Constitutional Referendum.

The Constitutional Referendum essentially was the national referendum held on the new permanent constitution.  Despite the intimidation campaigns from terrorist and thugs with even less ideology then the terrorist 70% (9.8 million) of Iraqis eligible to vote headed to the polls.

Of particular note, the referendum established how the government was to actually be formed.  It set the basis for what was known as the Council of Representatives (CoR) Election.  Once completed, the Iraqis would then be set to go to the polls just 2 months later to elect a representative government.

Geez Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, Pennsylvania continues to drift away from good governance.  Pennsylvania is held captive by socialist czar governor Fast Eddie and a state assembly now considered by most to be the most corrupt state government in the union.

A state assembly where millions of tax dollars have not only been stolen to re-elect themselves but to defend the few who have thus far been arrested too.

The state assembly continues to force people from their homes because of property taxes.  In some instances taxes have gone up over 500% with a few nearing 1000%.  What have we come to when upon retirement your government says that house you lived in for 40 or 50 years, raised children in, and paid property taxes for those 50 years is now to be taken away just because its value increased.

With no incentives for businesses, the middle class continues their exodus while companies run to set up shop in neighboring states.

Good Going Iraq
The Government of Iraq (GoI) continues to have a public affairs campaign to have those who have left the country (middle class) to come home.  They have even started a program to have families return to the houses that were rightfully theirs when they had to flee.

The GoI is building schools, hospitals, and countless other public works through the country and without taxation to its populace.

Iraqis are continually recognizing that only with transparency in government and expulsion of corrupt elected officials can they prosper as a nation.  Only then will other countries and businesses invest.

And speaking of businesses, new businesses are encouraged at every level of government.  From loans to a more robust infrastructure Iraq understands what they need to do as a nation to lift them from what Saddam had taken.

Can Pennsylvanians Take Back Their Government?
In Pennsylvania a growing number of reformers and even some state assembly like my friend Representative Curt Schroeder are trying to call for what is known as a Citizens Constitutional Convention.  By the way, check out Curts website http://www.Vote4Curt.com.

Pennsylvania needs true reform.  It’s too big, truly socialist in many forms, and too costly.  Sadly we cannot count on “reform” candidates as the extreme majority has turned out to be other then what they promised.  Too easily influenced by party leadership and lacking moral courage to stand up for what is in the best interest of the citizens.

It’s Not All the Elected Officials Fault
Don’t blame it all on the elected officials however.  Blame must also rest on those who don’t get involved with the process.

Can you name your state rep, state senator, and congressman?  No?  Tisk-tisk.

If you complain about your paycheck or taxes but don’t vote you are part of the problem.

If you don’t wish to “rock the boat” as a committee person or elected official and just go along to get along then yes you are part of the problem too.

Bad things happen when good people don’t take action.

Things I Know and Don’t Know
I know it’s embarrassing that with over 200 more years more experience, Pennsylvania seems to trail the GoI when its comes to good governance.

I don’t if a Constitutional Convention will be successful because most citizens don’t seem to recognize the power of their voice and vote.

I do know that when I go around meeting Pennsylvanians talking about good governance they understand what I am blathering about.  They crave a candidate that will remove government from their lives.  Someone that will side with personal responsibility vice a government program.  A true representative that will work to empower the people and not himself or the legislature.

I don’t know if the political parties can see past their thinking of party first vice Pennsylvania first.

I do know that we need change.

Ok I am Finished with My Rant
Maybe it’s the Marine in me for seeing things simply as they need to be.  Without emotion or playing favorites just execute the mission without regard to self.  Just seems so clear. 

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 100% [?]

The other day my friend and patriot, Bob Guzzardi, forward me an article that he found interesting and asked for my opinion.

The article, titled Winning Isn’t News, was published in the Investors Business Daily with the online version being found here http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=300324023809577.

In my opinion it is a good article that exposes how the main stream media continues to fail in reporting to the world that only a few Al Qaeda (AQI) members are in Iraq and that the other yahoos who are not dead or in prison are up against the wall waiting to be killed or captured.

Reading the article and my participation in the effort here in Iraq has led me to concur with just about everything written.  My only differences of opinion are with the time table and the number of AQI operatives.

The Government of Iraq has the right man for this moment in time as Prime Minster, Nouri al-Maliki.  However, the best man for the job of defeating a counter insurgency and jihadism is General David Petraeus.  Of course don’t ask Obama or his MoveOn.org types instead ask those who have been on the field.

Time Table
Iraq and al-Maliki may make mention of a timetable and even discuss operationally how it should work but at the end of the day it will be the decision of General Petraeus.  You will not even hear our government explicitly say this but thousands of inferences are there.

President George Bush’s primary reason sending us over here was to kill or capture bad guys to prevent attacks like 9/11 again not the liberation of Iraq.  Eerily similar to what John McCain is saying right?  Country First.

Number of AQI Operatives
The only other item I would not fully concur with is the estimate of AQI operatives.  In my opinion, that number is much less.  While we cannot quantify the number of yahoos I can tell you that the daily observance indicates most are very small groups more bent being free of government so that they can develop a criminal enterprise.  Thugs if you will.

Another interesting fact that is being missed is Iraqi on Iraqi crimes are either for profit or personal reasons.  Attacks that have nothing to do with Al Qaeda, Muslim values, the CF being in Iraq, etc…  So be careful when you read about shootings and IEDs.  Pay attention to who was targeted and witness what wasn’t told to you by the media i.e. ‘The Why’.

Now, don’t misunderstand me though as there is still yahoos that have nothing to do so take up arms against the CF for a “job”.  They rob, kidnap, and kill for money to support their daily habits (drugs), to eat, and when possible buy weapons or weapon making material to go after Iraqi Police then the Iraqi Army and if bold then the CF.

AQI Frustrations
Lastly, let’s talk about AQI frustration and disruption.  It’s so bad for AQI that they rarely if ever do the grunt work anymore in Iraq.  We killed so many of them that they are primarily just planners who then solicit others to do the dirty work.  This is great because when we kill or capture the planner the group is unable to continue as a functional cell.  Often the existing yahoos turn themselves in, join another rag-tag group, or get murdered by a rival group.  Gang mentality no?

It’s so bad for AQI that they have focused effort away from the CF.  Instead they are trying to get back at the Muslims who are siding against Al Qaeda.  So beaten down they had to completely change their strategy.

Closing
Why are these easy to make observations not being expressed in the media?  I am not sure but I know it should.

America would serve itself well only if we stay focused on the prize.  Total defeat of Jihadism in every corner of the earth. 

Continue the Bush strategy to fight the enemy abroad rather then at home.

Give General Petraeus what he needs to win the war.

Country First.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 100% [?]

Yet another unique experience last night in Iraq. Being in Al Asad for a few meetings I had the opportunity to attend a Jewish Shabbat service. Shabbat or Shabbos is the weekly Sabbath i.e. day of rest in Judaism. I must confess that being in the heart of the Middle East I erroneously didn’t expect to see anyone practicing their Jewish faith.

Before the 1st millennium it is said that the Jews were nearly 300,000 strong in what we now considered Iraq. At the time this was the largest Jewish population in the world. Sadly now, they number only 9. Yes 9. 9 followers of the Jewish faith amongst the 25 million people of Iraq.

As for the number of Synagogues in Iraq? 1. I had no idea I would be observing and eating dinner in the only Synagogue in Iraq.

Service was led by Rabbi John Cutler who is in the Navy and is the Chaplain for the Third Marine Air Wing stationed here in Al Asad. Rabbi Cutler is also from Pennsylvania and lives in Bucks County (not too far from Philly).

Afterwards the dinner, the Rabbi and I talked for awhile so that I can gather some of his thoughts and opinions on how religion can play a role in the counter-insurgency (COIN) in Iraq.

All the left-wing nuts so badly wanted to call this a civil war (yes including MoveOn.orgs favorite son B. Hussein Obama) so that their blame-America-first rants would start to have more validity. In keeping with tradition of the loony left they failed to look at the facts nor show a desire to help a culture other then theirs.

We have now been fighting a COIN for the past couple years. Since General David Petraeus was able to implement a surge our ability to conduct COIN operations has proved huge dividends. By the way, McCain supported the surge and the General while B. Hussein Obama still speaks against both.

While we are doing a terrific job with COIN operations we still lack probably the most necessary ingredient for quicker success and that is the implementation of religious engagement programs. We need more American Muslim Chaplains to live with and work the Iraqi religious leaders.

Iraqis do not identify themselves as Iraqis. They first identify themselves by their household (family), then their clan (group of families), then their tribe (groups of clans), and finally a confederation or qabila (groups of tribes). Essentially, we are talking about what is known as blood loyalty.

With loyalty based on local leadership (predominantly religious leaders) vice those in Baghdad it would be in Americas best interest to expand our Chaplain Corps well beyond the 2 Muslims Chaplains we have now.

If you attended any meetings with military, political, and religious leaders in Iraq its easily recognizable that the Iraqis listen to the religious leaders first and foremost. This is the sort of knowledge that we must exploit.

Let me close by thanking Rabbi Cutler for the Shabbat dinner and follow-on discussion and of course the warm welcome I received from all of my new friends who also attended last night.

Shabbat Shalom and Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 58% [?]

Just went rolling through a few towns the other day but when getting to Ramadi I was surprised how trashed that place still is.  Actually worse then what I saw of Baghdad.

Ramadi was a key location for the Ba’ath party and assorted other loyal Saddam goofs so the coalition forces did some re-decorating via at the outset of the war.  But still, it’s been how many years now?  Clean it up already as you and your children live there.

I was up there to take a look at a few places that we suspected as potential problem areas for movement.  In hindsight I think the whole place is a problem area.

Getting out of the MRAP I certainly gained a better understanding of their hardship but was also trying to reason why they didn’t rise up against Saddam.  Knowing that they are above pre-war levels in all the basic needs (water, sewage, communication, electricity, health, etc…) and recognizing it to still be a complete dump one can only imagine how bad it was under that yahoo.

Trash in the street.  Wires running like spider webs barely over the streets.  Metal objects sticking out of the ground everywhere.  Other then one soccer field I didn’t see anywhere the kids can play safely.

The populace is certainly much more used to use rolling through certain cities and areas and that showed the other day.  As soon as I got out to take pictures people to start coming out of their “homes” and seeing what was going on.  This is a pain because not only do you have to scan the area for IEDs as you walk and all the vantage points for possible yahoos but now you have to continually scan the crowd as you try to do your job.  Basically, you are looking for anyone in the crowd with a possible weapon, cell phone, camera, or just watching too intently to what we are doing.

All in all it was a success. I got the information I needed and the engineers got the information they needed to collect.

Below is a picture of an MRAP in case you didn’t know what they look like as well as some pictures from one of the streets we rolled down.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 73% [?]

How We Got Here
The Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) is Americas forced response to the jihadist networks that have killed, maimed, and tortured Americans for years.  For too long, America’s lack of leadership has emboldened jihadist and rouge nations.  This “acceptance” paved the way for September 11th.

Under President Clinton the jihadist networks thrived.  Clinton sat on the sidelines and watched jihadist literally get away with murder.  His lack of action allowed jihadist networks to grow in size, scope, and capabilities.  Allowing the jihadist networks to blossom resulted in the fall of some countries and government infiltration within many more.

New Sheriff in Town
Let’s be honest, on September 11th most Americans knew they made the right choice by electing George Bush over Al Gore.  America was sick of inaction and complacency.  America was craving a real leader and justice.  President Bush would take action to chase down and punish the terrorist versus being part of the “blame America first crowd”.

Since taking the fight to the enemy, jihadists have sustained huge setbacks.  Driven from power in Africa and the Middle East, remnants of jihadist networks remain but are severely degraded.  Their ability to communicate and operate freely, other than on a very small scale, is non-existent. 

The policies of the Bush administration to stop the money flow and infiltrate their communication networks has hampered them to the point where those who haven’t been killed or captured have resorted to either walking off the battlefield or forced into remote areas with little or no resources to put up an effective fight.

Presidential Candidates
In respect to the GWOT, this is the 2004 Presidential race all over again.  The two leading Presidential candidates are miles apart in wisdom, philosophy, and military prowess.

One will protect America while the other will blame her.  One will continue to eradicate jihadist and fulfill a promise to our friends in Africa and the Middle East, while the other shows moral cowardice by immediately leaving Iraq thus succumbing to anti-American groups such as MoveOn.org and Code Pink.

Putting political affiliation and all other issues aside, one can only reason that it is Senator John McCain who is best qualified to be commander-in-chief.

Sacrifice and Maturity
We all know John McCain as a warrior at heart.  His journey took him from the Naval Academy to becoming a Navy pilot, to eventually being taken as a POW for 5 years.  When offered a chance to be released before others McCain rejected the offer.  He understood duty, honor, and sacrifice.  McCain doesn’t wish to place fellow military members in harms way, but understands the necessity and sacrifices that must be made.

One cannot reject the fact that Obama lacks the understanding and wisdom of the capabilities and needs of a military.  As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee he chairs a subcommittee on European relations that includes, of course, NATO and therefore involvement in Afghanistan.  Hillary Clinton and Obama are both on record stating that no substantive meetings have been held.  His lack of participation demonstrates his lack of appreciation for Americans sacrificing their lives in Afghanistan.  To not hold even one meeting about oversight in Afghanistan shows a lack of wisdom and duty.

Cost of the War
Have you noticed since the war began that Obama predominantly talks about the cost of the war? 

Americans need a president to envision an endstate that brings peace to the Middle East and the United States.  They need a President with the wisdom to look at the cost of not winning this war.  They need a President that believes in General David Petraeus and fully supports the great inroads paved, not only by the surge, but shared economic investment too.

It only takes sitting in on a few briefs with the General to recognize he continually asks who is paying for new projects or assuming responsibilities for its administration / execution.  His plan requiring Iraqi investment within their infrastructure has undeniably shown tremendous results.

With water, electricity, food, health care, etc… far exceeding pre-war levels, the civilian populace are now conditioned to a better life.  So much so that they are turning in the jihadist in their neighborhood in order to keep their creature comforts.  Other then Al Qaeda, jihadists recognize they just lose more support and credibility when attacking civilians and their infrastructure.

Yes, wars are costly, but there is a shared economic responsibility and the Government of Iraq now takes the lead for budgeting and spending with their own money.

We need a President who recognizes a strategy that is exceeding expectations and continues to support those executing it.  A President planning on running away now will show the world that America doesn’t have the stomach for war and will further embolden the terrorist.

Do we really want another 4 years of Clinton-esque foreign policies where terrorist run free and without repercussions?

Why I Support John McCain
The loss of Iraq will cause ripple effects thru most of the Middle East and large portions of Northern and Eastern Africa.  The loss of sovereign nations will provide havens for jihadist networks to rebuild and prosper.  The fight will then come to our shores with possible unspeakable consequences due to a weapon of mass destruction.

John McCain knows how to best decide when, where, and how to deploy the military.  He has no problem standing alone when it comes to his opinion on American security.  He leads from the front but will allow the conditions on the ground to dictate America’s success and pullout from Iraq.

Nothing else matters if we lose security and sovereignty.  That’s why I support John McCain.

Semper Fi,

Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 49% [?]

Despite not being home we let ourselves in and wandered about Saddams home which is now the US Embassy.

It’s not as great as I had imagined.  Appears Saddam was a bit cheap too.  What he wanted you to believe was gold were instead brass.  Even marble is some spots is really a marble-looking stone.  The pool was a nice size but would have expected larger.

Very plain and dull colors.  Inconsistent types and looks and woods didn’t allow you to get an “oh wow look how impressive this room is” thought.  In hindsight I don’t remember seeing rugs or tapestries.

I also would have expected more paintings.  The ones I did see where about as cheesy as a velvet Elvis.  If you are into Soviet like images of rockets then maybe you’ll like it.  As for the pictures of Saddam they were covered up.

I guess with so many “girlfriends” wandering the palace he didn’t have the time to do the Martha Stewart thing.

Oh and what’s up with the unisex bathrooms?  Never thought I would see that in an Arabic country.

And come on Saddam, you are the “ruler” of an entire country but you go with oak over mahogany for your conference room?

I will give Saddam credit for the grass however.  There was more grass in the front courtyard then I have seen in ALL of Al Anbar thus far.

Rumors persist that there was a prison (more like cages) but when I asked about it no one seem to know.

One of the rooms that people gather in for meetings was the size of a small ballroom.  With a Green Bean Coffee shop, a library of books and DVDs, tables and chairs, an Internet Café, and chess tables this certainly would be my hangout.

Food is better in the palace then at the other chow halls.  Usually, when I travel, I don’t believe anyone when they say the food is better at one chow hall over another.  Same stuff – same quality.  The chow hall was much better and with more variety.

Security was great as I must have presented my ID and cleared my weapon every 10 feet.  Certainly no goofing around.

We tried to find a couple of the Saddam statues that used to sit upon town squares but the fellow giving us the guide said they recently have been moved and didn’t know where they were.  Grrrrr, do you have any idea what I could have gotten on eBay for one of them?

Soon the US will be handing the embassy back to the Iraqis and make home in a new building just down the street.  Be curious to see how the new Iraqi government changes the appearance to forget the demonic legacy of Saddam.

While I was unimpressed with the palace, this was a great experience of a very unique and interesting day.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 33% [?]

Tonight we had another Walking Blood Bank but this time for B+ blood.  Just like the other day Marines and Sailors were turned away because so many showed up.

Unfortunately, this time it was an Iraqi Policeman (IP) whose vehicle was struck by an IED.  Both of the IPs survived, one had just minor wounds and was released but the other sadly had to have both legs and some fingers amputated.

Iraqis wounding and killing Iraqis just make the jihadist all that much worse in the eyes of the general populace.  It’s a shame that it has taken so many tragedies t get the populace to start having the courage to stand up for themselves.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 46% [?]

It’s always been my understanding that when a Muslim declares a jihad, Muslim men are supposed to take up arms and fight, thus becoming a mujahid (a person engaged in a jihad).

Well since 2003 how many Jihads have been declared?  Hundreds?  Thousands?  For awhile there every Muslim that was anti-American that could get on camera was declaring a jihad.  As well, ever notice the same knucklehead declaring a jihad week after week but not being man enough to lead from the front and come to Iraq?

This war is causing breaks in many of the Muslim myths.  The idea that they are devout to their cause, that they don’t care for women and children to be engaged in acts of violence, that they are fierce warriors, and most notably that Muslims are united by their faith.  I won’t bore you with too many details but let me amplify on each a little to demonstrate my opinion.

If Muslims were devout to their cause why are they trickling in a few at a time from a couple of the surrounding countries?  Where is the outpouring of resources to the terrorist? Lets go a step further, where are the tends of thousands of mujahid to wage war on us infidels in Iraq?  With capturing a couple hundred thousands terrorist one must also ask why no raid to free them?

One nasty aspects of this war is the use of women and children by the Jihadist.  We are seeing more women getting drugged up and being used as suicide bombers as Americans by nature don’t see women as a threat.  We have even seen babies with Down Syndrome being left in areas where coalition forces and Iraqis come by only to be blown up along with the baby.  Absolutely cowardly.  I know over 70% of the people here in Iraq cannot read but one would think imams  could pass down the passages that speak of the purity of women and children and how they are not to be engaged in fighting on any level.

In regards to fierce warriors, this is so easily dispelled.  Not that I blame them because anytime the Marines matched up with them they lost their lives or freedom.  A random shot or IED does not make you a fierce warrior.  It makes you a realist and not believing in your cause enough to die for it.

Lastly, let’s speak to the Muslim faith.  Their faith is like so many faiths of the world in that it varies from region to region and many times village to village.  There is nothing wrong with that of course but its best to dispel the myth that it unifies them.  Clearly if it did, the jihadist really would have started a holy war.

I guess what I am trying to express in today’s rant is this: Man up or shut up.

Man Up:  If you think you’re a tough guy then mass up on the battlefield and let the Marines give you a chance to me Allah.

Shut Up:  If you cannot stand up and fight for Al Qaeda then drop your weapons, go home to your families, and read the Qur’an for the spiritual and peaceful aspects.

Yes, Iraq is still a war zone.  Dangerous in more then a few places yet at the cusp of thriving in so many more. 

Everyday Iraqis turn in bad actors because they wish to live in peace.  They realize who their friends are and they have manned up.  The number if Iraqi Police (IP) and Iraqi Army (IA) continue to increase and become more efficient.

In fact it’s the IA and IP that are taking the lead in more and more operations.  In fact the upcoming turnover of provinces will be secured by IA and IP not coalition forces.

Man up and shut up time.  Americans and Iraqis have manned up.  Now its time for the jihadist to shut up.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 47% [?]

Flag Day is certainly unique to the United States but tribes and governments have used them for thousands of years.

Most historians believe that flags were initially used on battlefields to designate to the on field commanders where their groups/capabilities were located.  Eventually, the adoption of flags to identify sects of people/tribes became popular too.   Today, every country is identified by one.

Since 1777 Americans have had the same basic look for a flag and on many a battlefield was the rallying cry to victory.  Still today, we don’t accept the capture of our flag.  If the Army should notice they are losing a battle or the Marines are ordered out of an Embassy they either take the flag or burn it.

Since 1921 Iraq has had 5 different flags and still to this day is a center of disagreement amongst many of those within her borders.  Why?  Because the recent flags were adopted by those murdering their way into power.  If they were created to unify people for a cause of freedom we can be sure the feelings would be quite different.

In 2004 a new flag was introduced but looked very similar to that of the one Saddam had created in 1991.  The difference was that instead of using the alleged handwriting of Saddam they used the traditional style of script called Kufic.  Another reason why many despise this new flag too is because in 1991 Saddam introduced 3 stars which were to represent the 3 tenants of the Ba’ath Party (unity, freedom, and socialism).  Yea how contrary is that?  Freedom and socialism.

Finally in January of this year the 3 stars were removed so acceptance grew.  However, there are still a few holdouts that say they cannot legitimize it because of foreign troops on their soil.  These Iraqis should recognize that the United States had no hand in the creation of any Iraqi flags.  It has been the Iraqis and Iraqi Parliament who selected the design and passed it.  Even in the U.S. we still have Indian tribes and groups of people on pacific islands who speak out against our country and flag.  Every county will have some level of dissention. 

Let me note too that this new Iraqi flag is really just an interim one.  At the end of this year we can expect the Iraqi Parliament to adopt a permanent one.

In Iraq people identify themselves by their tribe or region and not as Iraqis.  One of the keys to success for Iraq is the unification of the people within its border.  Sunni, Shia, or Christian everyone must see a vision of what could be.  A flag by itself will not unify Iraq’s 25 million people but it helps. 

On this day it would be best to think about what a flag symbolizes.  The unity and freedom for the people it represents.  And what’s more the tens of thousands of Iraqis and  4,000 plus Americans who have sacrificed their lives for tethers of cloth in this war.

Semper Fi,
GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 20% [?]

Please bear with me as I rant a little this morning.  What a situation we have because of freeing 50 million people from murderous regimes in the Middle East and Africa.  Can’t we just get along? 

We have Iraqis looking down on Iraqis and Americans and of course that minority of I-Hate-Everything-About-America-But-I-Refuse-To-Live-Elsewhere-Americans who snub their nose at Iraqis and Americans too. 

At the end of the day terrorist and Iraq war protestors are no different in that they seek to cause chaos and instability.  They simply utilize different tools and practices.  One may use the sword and the other a pen or sign but killing and providing propaganda are equally destructive.  Peace is garnered through strength and sacrifice.  Always has, always will.

Iraqi Perspective
I should start by saying that my experience with Iraqis is only with the men.  Women in this culture are often looked down upon for working with or even being personal with those outside their culture especially Americans.

Of the over 9,000 people here on TQ there is only 1 Iraqi woman I know of who works here.  Rather not say where and for what but can say she cares for others and is dedicated at her job.  In regards to the other FOBs I have yet to see an Iraqi woman.

As for the Iraqi men working on base, they are sometimes looked down upon by others in their culture for a couple reasons.  Most notably I would say because:

• Serving us in the chow halls
• Doing our dirty work like cleaning our heads and showers
• Working alongside women
• Having women in authoritative positions over them
• And for some just doing anything for the Coalition Forces is enough

In my opinion the blame must reside with the Ba’ath Party and Saddam Hussein.  Those savages killed and/or drove off virtually the entire middle class.  This loss spurred the failure to retain literacy, a free market, and acceptance of other cultures.

Iraq has over a 70% illiteracy rate, a purposefully uneducated populace, and over 20 years of anti-American propaganda infused in their daily life.  Knowing this it’s easy to comprehend why some Iraqis are slow to adjusting.

We have won this war and have been spending the last few years highly engaged in helping the Iraqis build their own infrastructure, security, and government.  Iraqi success is dependent upon developing more schools and universities, increasing women into all levels of government and the local community, and of course the continual encouragement of free thoughts and free markets.

While it’s easy to say Iraqis are living in Pick-A-Century-Before-1200-AD we are better people if we help Iraq become a government that incorporates their religious foundation just as our forefathers did.  In addition it must be a Republic not a Democracy.  A government of the people, by the people, for the people as Abraham Lincoln said.

American Perspective
As Americans we need to remain positive with the war effort and the reconciliation of Iraq.  Protestors of this war encourage terrorist by providing them the propaganda to recruit more IED emplacers and the cowardly random shooters.  We have killed and captured so many bad actors that the spark of terrorism is nearly extinguished.  Don’t let the protestors kindle their spirit.

We need your help in this war.  Every real patriot can make a difference.  Let your neighbors, friends, and co-workers know you side with freedom and fully support the mission.  Refuse to patronize businesses that provide fundraising to protest groups.  Write letters to the editors, volunteer, and casts votes for strength or moral courage not appeasement.

And for those back in my home in Chester County (like the Chester County Young Republicans, The Republican Committee of Chester County, Chester County Action, and the American Sheepdogs) thanks for remaining vigilant and unwavering to the cause.

There must be no acceptance of Americans or Iraqis who seek to destroy the great political and security gains in the Middle East and Africa.  The betterment of man is close.

Semper Fi,

GySgt Jonathan Jenkins

Popularity: 24% [?]