If you have the time, read this transcript. The transcript in question is of a weekly summary given to the press by Major General Rick Lynch (who I indirectly work for) of what’s happening in Iraq. Notice that after he discusses a positive piece of news, the press doesn’t ask a single question about it. Why? I don’t presume to know. But here is a synopsis of the positive news from the transcript:
GEN. LYNCH: I’d ask you to stop with Major Glenn (sp) and get a copy of the letter that the mayor of Tall Afar sent to General Casey. And I’d like to share with you excepts from that letter, which reflects the appreciative nature of the people of Iraq for operations that were conducted to liberate them and provide an environment where they could participate in a democratic society and participate in the elections in a safe and secure environment. This is the letter from the mayor of Tall Afar, Najim Abdullah al-Jubouri, and he talks to General Casey specifically. And you’ll get a copy of the letter, but I’d like to read a couple of excerpts.
He wrote to General Casey that “our city was overrun by heartless terrorists, Zarqawi and his followers, who unloaded their bloodthirsty and voracious action of evil on this city for several months by indiscriminately killing men, women and children. Tall Afar was a human slaughterhouse. Simple services were not possible, causing the people to suffer, till the day you dispatched your troops, who were our lion-hearted saviors. Your troops came to rescue Tall Afar led by our heroes, whom Tall Afar will never forget. After the major operation, your wonderful soldiers started nursing the wounds of this city by rebuilding the damaged lives and buildings with great compassion and speed. These soldiers have done more than their original mission required of them. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
If you pop over to Marketing in Iraq (written by a soldier in my unit), you’ll find that he thinks the above news is positive. But if you go Google and enter:
You won’t find any related stories from CNN, Sky News, Fox News, BBC or any other mainstream news outlet. Why? Tall Afar was “a human slaughterhouse,” according the mayor. He credits U.S. troops for going above and beyond the call of duty in rectifying the situation and calls the soldiers wonderful heroes. Seems newsworthy to me. Please help me tell the story of Tall Afar.
Click here for a PDF of the letter in question. Send it to your favorite news outfit. Ask them why you haven’t seen a story about Tall Afar. Don’t let the blue ribbon clip art fool you either. The letter is real. Iraq doesn’t have access to the nice typesetting and printing equipment we are used to in the U.S.