May 2006

Steve Wampler

Popular Guest Speaker Steve Wampler Invited to Address The Conservative Forum for a Second Time.

In over two years of having monthly forums, Steve Wampler was the first speaker who we have invited back to our monthly meetings. With over 70 people in attendance, Steve did not let us down. His message was about the good news from Iraq that mostly is not reported in the mainstream media.

It started with a couple of poll numbers, indicating the 70% of the general public feels that a negative reporting from the media and negative talk about the war in Iraq from liberals hurts the morale of our troops while only 12% feel it helps the morale.

The second poll question posed was related to whether the critics were acting from a partisan political point of view or motivated to help the troops. 51% of the people felt the comments were made from partisan political perspectives while 31% indicated that it was motivated to help the troops.

Steve indicated that the media only cares about the soldier when they die or they are injured. In 4-1/2 years, 2,700 soldiers have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. While this is tragic, to put it in the proper perspective, 3,000 were killed in one 72-hour battle in World War II. 12,000 Americans were killed in the battle of Okinawa.

Another fact most people do not realize is that 63% of the soldiers killed are Iraqi soldiers. Not only are the Iraqi soldiers appreciative of our American support, but the Iraqi people are very positive about the liberation of 27,000,000 people.

Over a 15-month period, they have had three elections. Despite the threats of bombs, mortars and bullets, the voting percentage in January, 2005 was 58% (greater than the last American presidential election); and has grown to 63% in their October, 2005 elections and 70% in their December, 2005 elections.

The first Arab democracy in the center of the Middle East has been established. Strong messages have been sent to Libya where Moamar Qaddafi told the Italian Prime Minister, "I'll do anything the Americans want because I saw what they did in Iraq, and I'm afraid."

Prior to the liberation of Iraq by the Americans, Iraq was a haven for terrorists. It was not only a safe haven for Zarqawi, an Al-qaeda leader, but also Abu Abbas, the person in charge of the Achilles Laurel operation, and Yassin, the master mind of the first World Trade Center bombing in 1991.

Steve also posed the question as to why 71% of Iraqis are positive about their future while a majority of Americans oppose the American efforts in Iraq. 77% of Iraqis indicate that the sacrifice is worth it. Why, you might ask? The only reason posed is that the Iraqis do not have to listen to the American media.

Steve gave several examples of how severely injured military people wanted to recuperate so that they could go back to Iraq. 26 amputee soldiers have returned to active duty after having an amputation. Ten of those amputees have gone back to Iraq. Reenlistments are over the top. The army's ten division have all exceeded their reenlistment target. Morale has never been higher.

Infant morality has dropped by 60% since the United States entered Iraq. 98% of children under age of five have been vaccinated for polio. Pre-war electricity throughout the country is up 20%. 3-1/2 million Iraqis use cell phones.

Steve quoted many American soldiers sampling of comments as follows: "Inaccurate negative bias of the mainstream media." "The reporting of the media is incomplete, uninformed and inaccurate. It aids and abets the enemy."

Another great report from Steve Wampler.

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