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usmc4669
04-27-04, 02:56 PM
By Robert Nofsinger
April 27, 2004


Hello Everyone, I am taking time to ask you all for your help.
First off, I'd like to say that this is not a political message. I'm not concerned about domestic politics right now. We have much bigger things to deal with, and we need your help.
It seems that despite the tremendous and heroic efforts of the men and women serving here in Iraq to bring much needed peace and stability to this region, we are losing the war of perception with the media and American people. Our enemy has learned that the key to defeating the mighty American military is by swaying public opinion at home and abroad. We are a people that cherish the democratic system of government and therefore hold the will of the people in the highest regard. We love to criticize ourselves almost to an endless degree, because we care what others think. Our enemies see this as a weakness and are trying to exploit it.
When we ask ourselves questions like, "Why do they hate us?" or "What did we do wrong?" we are playing into our enemies' hands. Our natural tendency to question ourselves is being used against us to undermine our effort to do good in the world. How far would we have gotten if after the surprise attacks on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, we would have asked, "Why do the Japanese hate us so much?" or "How can we change ourselves so that they won't do that again?" Here in Iraq the enemy is trying very hard to portray our efforts as failing and fruitless. They kill innocents and desecrate their bodies in hopes that the people back home will lose the will to fight for liberty. They are betting on our perceived weakness as a thoughtful, considerate people. Unfortunately our media only serves to further their cause.
In an industry that feeds on ratings and bad news, a failure in Iraq would be a goldmine. When our so-called "trusted" American media takes a quote from an Iraqi doctor as the gospel truth over that of the men and women that are daily fighting to protect the right to freedom of press, you know something is wrong. That doctor claimed that out of 600 Iraqis, that were casualties of the fighting, the vast majority of them were women, children and the elderly. This is totally absurd. In the history of man, no one has spent more time and effort, often to the detriment of our own mission, to be more discriminate in our targeting of the enemy than the American military. The Marines and Soldiers serving in Iraq have gone through extensive training in order to limit the amount of innocent casualties and collateral damage.
Yet, despite all of this, our media consistently sides with those who openly lie and directly challenge the honor of our brave heroes fighting for liberty and peace. What we have to remember is that peace is not defined as an absence of war. It is the presence of liberty, stability, and prosperity. In the face of the horrendous tyranny of the former Iraqi regime, the only way true peace was able to come to this region was through force. That is what the American Revolution was all about. Have we forgotten? Freedom is not free and "peace" without principle is not peace. The peace that so-called "peace advocates" support can only be brought to Iraq through the military. And we are doing it, if only the world will let us! If the American people believe we are failing, even if we are not, then we will ultimately fail.
That is why I am asking for your support. Become a voice of truth in your community. Wherever you are fight the lies of the enemy. Don't buy into the pessimism and apathy that says, "It's hopeless," "They hate us too much," "That part of the world is just too messed up," "It's our fault anyway," "We're to blame," and so forth. Whether you're in middle school, working at a 9-5 job, retired, or a stay-at-home mom you can make a huge difference! There is nothing more powerful than the truth. So, when you watch the news and see doomsday predictions and spiteful opinions on our efforts over here, you can refute them by knowing that we are doing a tremendous amount of good. Spread the word. No one is poised to make such an amazing contribution to the everyday lives of Iraqis and the rest of the Arab world than the American Armed Forces. By making this a place where liberty can finally grow, we are making the whole world safer. Your efforts at home are directly tied to our success. You are the soldiers at home fighting the war of perception. So I'm asking you as a fellow fighting man: Do your duty. Stop the attempts of the enemy wherever you are. You are a mighty force for good, because truth is on your side. Together we will win this fight and ensure a better world for the future.

God Bless and Semper Fidelis, 1st Lt. Robert L. Nofsinger USMC Ramadi, Iraq

usmc4669
04-27-04, 03:02 PM
This was a reply to the Lt's letter from a GySgt

We read you loud and clear, sir. However, be advised that politics and propaganda play a large part of every war, on this side of the fence. Glad to hear it does not sway your move on the objective none what soever.

I couldn't help noting last night, on NBC News, for example --when they were rehashing the scenario of Lieutenant Kerry tossing his medals over the fence, there was a Marine Sergeant, short sleeve khaki shirt, shirt-tail hanging out, uncovered, front and center of the protest.

The strategy was to invoke not only Lieutenant Kerry in war protest, for political and propaganda gain. The reason, in my mind, is two-fold. One, it detracts from Kerry, and it plays down the fact that our Marines are facing the challenge of their lives in and around Fallujah, at this very time.

Whatever happens at Fallujah, will be -- for better or worse -- the turning point of this war. Protestors know that, just as warring strategists know that. Gentlemen, there is a fungus among us, and the fungi can sometimes be us. [Loosely translated, we can sometimes be our own worst enemy.]

If the war protest machine -- from whenever it began, for time immortal -- can accomplish the mission of enjoining Marines in on their theme, then it will have a significant impact on the viewing public, and their sentiments for the war, and any armed force involved.

Keep up the fight, sir, and keep your troops informed. We have some maggots out here that try to turn everything into chit. For the most part we have a firm base of American citizenry who continue to stomp out these little brush fires as they occur. You guys do your job, and we'll do ours. Together, we shall remain above the best, and ahead of the rest -- all the way.

Semper Fi,
Gunny

Flammer
04-27-04, 04:12 PM
Originally posted by usmc4669
By Robert Nofsinger
April 27, 2004


Hello Everyone, I am taking time to ask you all for your help.
First off, I'd like to say that this is not a political message. I'm not concerned about domestic politics right now. We have much bigger things to deal with, and we need your help.
It seems that despite the tremendous and heroic efforts of the men and women serving here in Iraq to bring much needed peace and stability to this region, we are losing the war of perception with the media and American people. Our enemy has learned that the key to defeating the mighty American military is by swaying public opinion at home and abroad. We are a people that cherish the democratic system of government and therefore hold the will of the people in the highest regard. We love to criticize ourselves almost to an endless degree, because we care what others think. Our enemies see this as a weakness and are trying to exploit it.
When we ask ourselves questions like, "Why do they hate us?" or "What did we do wrong?" we are playing into our enemies' hands. Our natural tendency to question ourselves is being used against us to undermine our effort to do good in the world. How far would we have gotten if after the surprise attacks on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor, we would have asked, "Why do the Japanese hate us so much?" or "How can we change ourselves so that they won't do that again?" Here in Iraq the enemy is trying very hard to portray our efforts as failing and fruitless. They kill innocents and desecrate their bodies in hopes that the people back home will lose the will to fight for liberty. They are betting on our perceived weakness as a thoughtful, considerate people. Unfortunately our media only serves to further their cause.
In an industry that feeds on ratings and bad news, a failure in Iraq would be a goldmine. When our so-called "trusted" American media takes a quote from an Iraqi doctor as the gospel truth over that of the men and women that are daily fighting to protect the right to freedom of press, you know something is wrong. That doctor claimed that out of 600 Iraqis, that were casualties of the fighting, the vast majority of them were women, children and the elderly. This is totally absurd. In the history of man, no one has spent more time and effort, often to the detriment of our own mission, to be more discriminate in our targeting of the enemy than the American military. The Marines and Soldiers serving in Iraq have gone through extensive training in order to limit the amount of innocent casualties and collateral damage.
Yet, despite all of this, our media consistently sides with those who openly lie and directly challenge the honor of our brave heroes fighting for liberty and peace. What we have to remember is that peace is not defined as an absence of war. It is the presence of liberty, stability, and prosperity. In the face of the horrendous tyranny of the former Iraqi regime, the only way true peace was able to come to this region was through force. That is what the American Revolution was all about. Have we forgotten? Freedom is not free and "peace" without principle is not peace. The peace that so-called "peace advocates" support can only be brought to Iraq through the military. And we are doing it, if only the world will let us! If the American people believe we are failing, even if we are not, then we will ultimately fail.
That is why I am asking for your support. Become a voice of truth in your community. Wherever you are fight the lies of the enemy. Don't buy into the pessimism and apathy that says, "It's hopeless," "They hate us too much," "That part of the world is just too messed up," "It's our fault anyway," "We're to blame," and so forth. Whether you're in middle school, working at a 9-5 job, retired, or a stay-at-home mom you can make a huge difference! There is nothing more powerful than the truth. So, when you watch the news and see doomsday predictions and spiteful opinions on our efforts over here, you can refute them by knowing that we are doing a tremendous amount of good. Spread the word. No one is poised to make such an amazing contribution to the everyday lives of Iraqis and the rest of the Arab world than the American Armed Forces. By making this a place where liberty can finally grow, we are making the whole world safer. Your efforts at home are directly tied to our success. You are the soldiers at home fighting the war of perception. So I'm asking you as a fellow fighting man: Do your duty. Stop the attempts of the enemy wherever you are. You are a mighty force for good, because truth is on your side. Together we will win this fight and ensure a better world for the future.

God Bless and Semper Fidelis, 1st Lt. Robert L. Nofsinger USMC Ramadi, Iraq

God Bless Ya Lt Nofsinger......and get some.....I will be praying for you to have a Free Fire Zone as soon as possible in Fallujah...
Don't worry about the media....worry about your men and tell em to watch their bro's six and to keep their ammo dry !! Semper Fi Marine !!

DaveTV
04-27-04, 08:30 PM
God bless, you LT - but I have to disagree - someone over there must be telling you this media story, it just isn't true. I feel the US media has been quite objective, and if anything pro-troops - especially all the talk radio. What media do you get firsthand over there? There are other issues with the IRAQI's - ones that your superiors should have taken into account beforehand. However we can only go forward from here. It quite a complex situation, and the media is not distorting anything. Families of the casualties have been making quite a bit of noise in their grief.

namgrunt
04-27-04, 08:50 PM
Lt. Nofsinger, Sir!
Hang tough. You and your Marines are doing an outstanding job. Those who would start tossing political issues your way have either not been in combat, or not served in the Armed forces. You take care of what needs taking care of, Sir.

Semper Fi!

DaveTV
Some of your comments are accurate, but others are judgement calls which the Lieutenant and his men cannot affect from their location. It doesn't do them any good to hear their "superiors" denigrated. If the Lieutenant and/or his men come home and sit face to face, then you can argue politics and the woulda, shoulda, coulda options. As Combat Marines, they don't have that luxury. They have objectives and missions.

I read your profile, and noted you are not a Marine. If you have a son or daughter involved over there, then please realize the effect introducing doubts has upon the mindset of people in combat. This is the same tactic which was used upon us during Vietnam. It worked back then, and caused us to lose heart. Please don't inject it into this war as well. Leave the political analysis for the opinion pages of the newspapers.

Thank you for your support of our forces in all active combat theaters.

Sincerely,
namgrunt