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05/07/2004: "Enough is enough!"

Okay media, this hardworking American has enough of the slow trickle of photos released day after day about the prisoner abuse in Iraq. We get the point. We got the point with the first batch that was released.

If you felt a duty to inform the American people and the world of the disgusting behavior of a small group of our soldiers, your mission has been accomplished. I can only interpret the daily barrage at this point as a deliberate attempt to slowly bleed to death our mission in Iraq. By doing so, you put our soldiers further at risk.

The media will not be alone in this. Because it’s an election year, the incident has now become the carcass for a feeding frenzy for the vultures in Washington who never hesitate to politicize any topic. Today’s headlines…Rumsfeld should resign. Now, we will suffer through countless calls for independent investigations and over the top allegations. All of which keep fueling the “hate America” fires that burn in the hearts of our enemies. The fact is that there is very little or nothing we can do to win the hearts and minds of those hate us. But it doesn’t take much to add to that hatred.

It is unfortunate that the stupid acts of a few can tarnish the image of so many. They have disgraced their fellow soldiers as well as their prisoners. But, I have no doubt that the incident will be dealt with appropriately through the military justice system which has little tolerance for disgraceful behavior and fewer protections afforded for those who stand accused than those given an ordinary citizen through our criminal and civil justice systems.

There is still a war that needs to be fought and won. We don’t need to help our enemies. We need to help the young men and women who are fighting to keep us safe all around the world. To our military, walk proud today as you should do everyday and be safe. The few who are responsible for these acts are the only ones that need feel that shame and they owe their prisoners, their fellow soldiers, and the Iraqi and American people an apology. I salute your courage, honor, and dignity, which allows your good work to be done each day.

To the media, politicians, and partisan hacks that will do more harm than good for their country today, I salute your work also. But I am only using one finger.