"Walking to Vote for a Constitution and Their Freedom" January 30, 2005 Election Day in IRAQ This was a question asked of SMSGT. Brian Pinsky, who is currently serving in Iraq. He was there during the Iraqi Elections and still serves proudly there. Such a wonderful response I think and wanted to share with all Sometimes it is hard to get a positive response in the media on a soldier's thoughts when he is serving in such a place Instead of being home with a wife and two small children. Here is the question that was asked of him. I would like to get your opinion about the recent election and the Iraq situation in general. Here is his answer... My opinion about the Iraqi election is a little biased, but, then again, the media portrayal of the election is definitely biased. First, I am proud as can be to be here and proud of the team I am with. We have directly participated in the election effort and we are proud of that. I am jazzed and excited by how many Iraqis came out to vote despite the threats and the actual violence. By percentages, it is possible more Iraqis voted in this election than Americans in the latest Presidential election. THEIR lives were being threatened and they came out. What's our excuse? Now, we all knew the Sunnis would not come out to vote because their only hope is to try to de-legitimize the election by not being in it. If they vote, they lose because they are not a majority and no one can cry about illegitimacy. If they don't vote, they still lose their rule but they still have a hope of undermining the whole process by crying foul and saying they weren't fairly represented. If you were about to lose rule to a majority of people you used to oppress in evil and horrible ways, what would you do? After all the rhetoric, I can't definitively say what got us into this country. Some say WMD. Some say getting rid of Saddam. Some say revenge of a son for his father. Some say oil. Some say its a government conspiracy to improve the economy. Some say we aren't even really in Iraq at all. All I know is, we are here now and we seem to have helped them start a more free society. I intend to tell my grandkids I was here on 30 January 2005 when the Iraqis first voted. I am hoping this country becomes a bastion of freely elected government in this region. People will argue whether this will work or not for years to come and the results may not be known for a while, but I hope it does work. The media is so much to blame for so much of how this operation is interpreted around the world. Unfortunately, good news doesn't get ratings on TV and does NOT sell papers.Bad news, killings, failure, etc is what the media is hoping will get the American public's (as well as international) attention. And, it works (shame on all of us for letting it!!). We have done at least 10,000 things right and good for every 1 bad that has happened. The thing is, we do not intend to do bad. Doesn't excuse the bad result, but it is a far cry better to intend to do well and fail than intend to do bad and succeed. We are held to the highest of high standards and we need to meet them. By contrast, though, Saddam, et al., intended to do bad and succeeded. How should that regime be judged in comparison to what we have done and what we are doing? The war was the most strictly targeted, the most well executed battle to EVER happen in the history of warfare. I have been around this airport complex and seen very pinpoint destruction. The Republican Guard and Iraqi military used to occupy a lot of territory around this complex. I have seen holes blasted through roofs of bunkers or buildings completly demolished while the mosque 100 meters away stands untouched. On election day, we kept the US military far away from polling places so they knew it was THEIR election. We have done a lot to try to win and keep the hearts and minds of the Iraqis. It's sad that we'll never have the hearts and minds of so many in the USA, especially the media. Millions of Iraqis now know what so many in the USA do not: "For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know." Sorry for the diatribe, but that's what I feel about the elections. Thanks for emailing me. I really appreciate the contact from people back home. Makes me feel connected. Please don't worry too much about me, as I am fine. Baghdad International is about the safest place in all of Iraq. I may be living in a tent, getting combat showers, eating mediocre food, and working all the time, but we are doing good things, doing our best to stay safe, and proudly serving. Smiling in Baghdad! Brian MSSGT Brian M. Pinsky lives in Texas with his wife, Kathy and their children Thomas, 2 and Emma, 4 Voting for Freedom... Brian's Mother,Sue Pinsky, Aunt Trina and Brian with his wife and children Aunt Trina (K1Kat) - for sharing Brian's e-mail, picture and the tags... I thank you from my heart Share with a Friend This page was designed and created with Love by Joanne/GabbiAsh February 6, 2005   You're listening to "Battle Hymn Of The Republic" Performed by the United States Marine Band Photos of Iraqi's going to the polls....courtesy of The Washington Post Joanne in Dreamland© I support our troops, I am so proud of every one of them That does not mean I support the decisions of our government. Copyright Information Center