military communicators and the truth

the other day i had the opportunity to participate in a public affairs officers conference in one of saddam's old palaces. to be honest i was impressed with some of the work these military communications officers are doing.

some of them were venturing into the world of youtube and blogging and finding that these new avenues were a good way to get their story out.

but the best part of the conference was the senior military leadership's command to be honest and forthcoming with the media. often at home we think that any message must be one of spin or neglecting the truth but here we have generals telling their communicators that the bad goes with the good and that it is important that the world be given a truthful account of what is going on in iraq.

some of us may not believe such "rhetoric" but as a communicator that prefers the truth it was good to hear.

in other news; baghdad has been pretty quiet as of late. most of the insurgent terrorists have fled the city due to the new security plan and while this creates challenges for surrounding communities, the one step at a time approach seems to be working.

people may have to go through a lot more check points but being able to do so without harm is well worth it.

viewing the bombed out palace

yesterday i had the opportunity to visit one of saddam's palaces that was destroyed by a couple heavy bombs during the initial days of the war. "believer's palace" still stands; at least you imagine a whole building as the walls are standing but go inside and you realize just how devastating an american bomb can be.

the interior of the palace was in complete ruin. in what was probably a great hall with a domed rotunda we witnessed the small whole where the laser guided bomb made it's grand entrance and then realized the rubble beneath where it detonated. this was a working palace the moment it was hit. but the guts of the building are just that, guts lying in piles that my group climbed through.

there was a sophisticated bunker in this palace and surrounded by shock absorbers this structure still remains with it carrier air conditioning system in place and its german design proving itself. however the bunker is flooded. it turns out that the german designers did not take into account water pipes imploding and putting the bunker under water; we can only "imagine" what remains trapped in this water grave.

as i walked through the palace i thought to myself that this is where we should take anyone on our "list." we should give them a glimpse of what can happen; even without troops on the ground. but then i realized i rather the world see the freedom and prosperity we enjoy because of our ideals.