Credit Where Credit is Due

I probably devote too much of this column to what could be called "poking at clowns with sticks," that is, pointing out how the mainstream media fails to give you the whole story when it comes to Iraq.

In the interests of fairness, then, it's important to point out when they DO say something positive about our troops, even if it comes mostly due to the Memorial Day holiday. Someone needs to ask them why they aren't running stories like this every day. It's not that there's a shortage.

Today's LA Times has a story with the headline, "Iraq violence falls to a four-year low." The photo alone tells the story.

Fox News ran this video about a 3rd Infantry Division Staff Sergeant surprising his daughter at school after five months away. Guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes.

CNN ran this piece honoring Medal of Honor recipient Michael P. Murphy, who is also profiled in American Heroes.

One more thing to be excited about: the 3rd Infantry Division is coming home. Specifically, the 2nd BCT with whom I was embedded for two weeks in December. And they've seen incredible progress in the 14 months they've been on the ground in Iraq.

Stories like these make me realize that victory in Iraq won't come like it did in WWII - with the enemy giving up in defeat. Instead, they'll simply slink back under the rocks from whence they came, and our troops will quietly return home. No single "VI Day," because that's not the way war works anymore. But when you see pictures like this one  - Iraqi women shopping with their children in a street market - it's apparent that we are winning.

So click here to thank the victors - those who are giving their todays for our tomorrows.

Chuck Holton
www.livefire.us