Gold Star Visit

There are large areas of Iraq that are stable, where the Iraqi government has control and no US troops are needed for backup. You don't hear about it much, nor do many have a good picture in their minds for how much is stable. The key to the map on the right is as follows:

Ratings based on governance, security and economic situations

Stable: (GREEN) Fully-functioning government; strong economic development; local security forces maintain rule of law

Moderate: Government functions, but with some concerns; economy developing slowly, with unemployment problems; security under control but with potential for instability

Serious: Government not fully formed; economy stagnant; unemployment high; routine anti-Iraq forces activity, assassinations and extremism

Critical: Government not functioning or only single strong leader; no infrastructure for economy to develop; high levels of anti-Iraq forces activity, assassinations and extremism Assessment made in January 2006. Sectarian violence in Iraq has surged since February

Source: US Military/US State Dept, April 2006

That big red area to the left is mostly desert and mostly hostile. It is the area where the various desert tribes have taken sides: some with the government and some with al Qaida.

But you can also see that all of the Green areas and all of the Yellow areas are pretty safe places to be. And to highlight that fact, a group of Gold Star families, families that have lost family members in the war against Islamists, are making a trip to Iraq.

To demonstrate their contention that things are better in Iraq than what has been portrayed in many news accounts, the delegation is intentionally traveling to Iraqi provinces that have largely been free of the violence that has erupted in Baghdad and the surrounding Sunni triangle.

“Shouldn’t the American people be told about the good things happening in Iraq?  Isn’t it legitimate news for example to be told of the success enjoyed by the people of northern Iraq who have established democratic institutions in communities that are almost entirely free of violence?” Morgan asked.

The group includes seven Gold Star Family members including Joseph Williams (his son Marine Lance Cpl. Michael J. Williams died in combat near Nasiriyah, Iraq), John Holley (his son Army Spc. Matthew J. Holley died in combat operations in Taji, Iraq), Mike Anderson (his son Marine Corps Cpl Michael D. Anderson, Jr. was killed by small arms fire while protecting his fellow Marines from enemy action in the Anbar Province of Iraq), Todd & Debra Bastian (Debra’s son, Air Force Capt. Derek Argel, died in the crash of an Iraqi air force aircraft during a training mission in the eastern Iraqi province of Diyala), and Jan & Joseph Johnson (their son Army Spc. Justin W. Johnson was killed when his patrol vehicle hit an IED - improvised explosive device - in Sadr City, Iraq).

The Johnson’s presence on the trip comes at a time when their family’s story is being told by a new book, American Mourning, which was co-authored by Move America Forward’s Melanie Morgan.  Their son, Justin, was close friends with the son of anti-war activist, Cindy Sheehan, and they say that their trip to support U.S. troops in Iraq is a more constructive act than Sheehan’s anti-Bush protests outside the President’s ranch in Crawford, Texas.

“I want to be able to tell the troops that there are Americans who still believe we are doing the right thing by being here.  We want them to know that there are people back here who are supporting and praying for them daily,” explained Joe Johnson....

Their message to the media and the American public:

“Our success in Iraq depends on the spirit and high moral of those with boots on the ground.  There are only two directions to drive a war, victory or defeat.  Our victory will come with a positive message from home and Americans who support our continued freedom,” said Gold Star Mother, Debra Argel.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

UPDATE: The response from the Left (via LGF)

“psst...it ain’t a secret anymore. i’m posting this article on every islamist and anti-coalition message board i can find.”

-> Posted by jar jar / Nov 04, 2006

“it would be such an ironic tragedy if these hacks died on their trip...hahaa”

-> Posted by jar jar / Nov 04, 2006