Local Gold Star Families Take Secret Trip to Iraq [FReepers Included]

Sacramento Union ^ | Published: November 3, 2006 | SacUnion Staff Report

[Jim Robinson]

In a stunning and historic trip under the utmost secrecy, a delegation of families of fallen U.S. troops have traveled to Iraq to counter critics of the war effort, just days before the Nov. 7 midterm elections.

The delegation of “Gold Star Families” agreed to provide the Sacramento Union with an exclusive account of their trip to Iraq based on the assurance that news of their mission would not be published until they had safely left Amman, Jordan.

So secret is their trip that even members of the Bush Administration were kept in the dark about their planned activities.

They’ve come to Iraq from cities throughout America as part of a 12-person delegation in a history-making effort – no other coordinated group of “Gold Star Families” has ever traveled to Iraq, and they come with a message that is sure to ignite a firestorm of debate.

“The American people are shown a skewed picture of the situation in Iraq day after day by the international news media. We felt it was time to allow the families of U.S. troops who died in Iraq to come see the progress being made in Iraq and report it back to the American ,” said Melanie Morgan, Chairman of Move America Forward.

Move America Forward, a Sacramento-based pro-troop non-profit organization is organizing the 10-day journey to Iraq. The group previously led a contingent of radio talk show hosts to Iraq in July 2005.

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.

[Impeach98]

Detailed report on the Gold Star Families trip to Iraq - at Sac Union newspaper website. - PING!!!

[proud_yank]

Personally, I think that anytime numbers are thrown around (especially by the press) you have to look at it in perspective.

Comparing Chicago's murder rate, to that of Iraq.

You can look up the annual numbers for various cities and compare to the rates in Iraq. IIRC, the number of actual KIA's has yet to hit 2000. There is no escaping the fact that most murders occur in large cities which tend to be liberal, with lots of gun control laws.

Accidental gun deaths is another they love to spin, yet you're about 900 times more likely to be accidentally killed by a hospital.

[fanfan]

Thanks for the ping Proud Yank!

Prayers up for everyone on the trip.

[freema]

WONDERFUL post! Yes, your prize is enroute!

[csvset]

Bump

[freema]

Wouldn't that be awesome!

[Seattle Conservative]

Great News PING!!

[knarf]

Could this have happened in any other manner, with any other people, through any other organized effort because of any other man ?

I said this on your birthday thread, Jim ... God Bless and keep these dear, brave folks, God Bless you Jim, for making it all happen, and God Bless America!

It is humbling to be here.

[Impeach98]

See also: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1732097/posts?

[DollyCali]

A caller on the MIchael Medved show yesterday made the point there were more murders in state of California than in Iraq for the month.

He was wondering if we should cut & run from there(drop them from Union)

[DollyCali]

jar jar is an idiot, evil, morally deprived, self-centered twit..

and those are his GOOD points

[Miss Marple]

Kristinn Taylor's dedication to the Walter Reed efforts against Code Pink already have earned him my complete admiration. Helping with this effort is simply over-the-top outstanding, and my prayers go with them. God speed to them all.

[Impeach98]

"Kristinn Taylor's dedication to the Walter Reed efforts against Code Pink already have earned him my complete admiration. Helping with this effort is simply over-the-top outstanding, and my prayers go with them. God speed to them all."

Couldn't agree more! Also had the privilege to work with him when he went to Crawford, Texas to help MAF and Free Republic put on the "You Don't Speak for Me, Cindy" rally... and also the "We Support Our Troops AND Their Missions" national bus tour and rally in Washington, D.C.

[don-o]

Ping the NASCAR crew on this?

Excellent thing for out troops "stuck in Irak"

[Bigg Red]

Thank you for the flag. It couldn't wait until 10:00 AM, huh?

God bless these wonderful Gold Star families. May Our Lord comfort and protect them. They have given so much for this nation already, and yet they continue to help in this war effort. What an inspiration!

And God bless all involved in MAF.

[Impeach98]

It's been leaking out :)

More is going to come throughout the day!

[Bigg Red]

You have seen this, right? I guess this was our 10 AM surprise out a little early....

[RedCell]

Cool. Ping for later read!

[kayak]

God bless those on this mission and the troops that they visit. May they all return home safely!

[kitkat]

Incredible and wonderful news. One day we will see the hate-America cowards run and hide, trying to cover their shame, as long as we have patriots such as Kristinn, Michele Morgan, Jim Robinson, and our brave troops.

(And won't Rush have fun with this on Monday?)