Dear Mom,

"Kirkuk is a hot and dusty city of just over a million people. The majority of the city has welcomed our presence with open arms. After nearly five months here, the people still come running from their homes, into the 110-degree heat, waving to us as our troops drive by on daily patrols of the city. Children smile and run up to shake hands and in their broken English shouting, "Thank you, Mister."

"The fruits of all our soldiers' efforts are clearly visible in the streets of Kirkuk today. There is very little trash in the streets, many more people in the markets and shops, and children have returned to school," the letter reads. "I am proud of the work we are doing here in Iraq and I hope all of your readers are as well."

Sincerely,
Your Son INSERT NAME HERE

Okay, soldiers are writing home telling their parents everything is honky dory in Iraq. Here is the problem, the same text was sent by several soldiers, each bearing different signatures.

This is initiative according to JACKASS Lt. Col. Dominic Caraccilo. Who said the "letter-writing initiative" was all his idea (Great idea!). Caraccilo wrote that his staff drafted the letter, he edited it and reviewed it and then offered it to the soldiers. Now don't be too hard on Ltc., he did it for the boys. He simply circulated the form letter to his soldiers to give them "an opportunity to let their respective hometowns know what they are accomplishing here in Kirkuk." Caraccilo was unapologetic, saying that the letter "perfectly reflects what each of these brave soldiers has and continues to accomplish on the ground."

What a promotion, from Ltc. to god in one day! I don't need some upwardly mobile, politically motivated, jackass Ltc. forming my opinions. I don't recall Panama being a Carnival Cruise to democracy. Is moral built on bullshit? Never saw this in FM 22-100, Military Leadership.

Another problem, it is dishonest propaganda directed to paint a rosy picture for a failed war effort. An unjustified war. If anything is rosy in war, it's blood.

This is a great example of how propaganda works. Propaganda does two things, tries to tell the enemy they are losing and we are winning - it works both ways. Whoops! People are on to the facade, even ABC news picked this story up. The White House is desperately trying to wage a propaganda war against citizens a world apart.

Why does the government use propaganda against it's citizens? I have no idea. I'm sure this is done for a reason. You decide if it is right.