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Another Reason We Must Leave Iraq

In response to the statement posed in a blog about service men the Iraq commenting on the January 27th March and Rally in Washington I wrote the following.  Following the reply, are links to articles about polls asking about Iraqi attitudes about US and British forces in Iraq.

"[...] He seems to be a little bent out of shape about the Washington rally as are others in the group. There have been the typical Hanoi Jane comments and blah, blah, blah, blahhhhh!"

I was down in Washington for the Rally on Saturday and "Lobby Day" on Monday. Our Connecticut delegation got to see staff from both Senators and all five Representatives. On Sunday, in preparation for this there were workshops, a plenary sessions and time for a delegation meeting to plan things out.

One of the facts that finally sunk into my head can probably be used as the center piece to the response. Let's try this:

I hear that you are concerned about the protesters in Washington and that you are angry with them for taking the time to listen to "Hanoi Jane" and others of her kind. I understand that this must be very unsettling to you. You sound like you would prefer a to hear about a large rally in Washington with the theme "Support the Troops." People who want you to stay there ... stay until you're finished ... then come home to a hero's return.

I know it must be frustrating to you that you are trying to create a better life for the Iraqis and they are so ungrateful. Recent polling has shown that the number of Iraqis that support attacks against US and British troops has increased dramatically from about 40 percent in January 2006 to over 60 percent in September 2006. I'm afraid that it may even be higher now.

From other articles I've seen, this is a consistent trend and it must be disheartening to know that you cannot safely leave the Green Zone ... in a country that you are willing to die for ... by a people that you came to protect.

From my vantage point, I am very confused about what to do. I don't think that even the fabled French Resistance had anywhere near this level of support among the population.

What do you think can be done to make Iraq a more welcoming place for people like you that want to make the world a better place?

http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/home_page/275.php?nid=&id=&pnt=275&lb=hmpg1

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/28/AR2006092800408.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4369350.stm

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/10/23/wirq23.xml