Emails from the public

Since my blog was featured in a story on MSNBC.com, I’ve received over 50 emails and blog comments from people all across the country. It’s been really great to get supportive comments from people I have never met, friends of my family and families of my soldiers. All of theses messages have been very welcome, except for one.

It seems that Theresa Thoma, in Elkader, Iowa thinks I should be home in the U.S. cleaning up after Hurricanes or doing some other civic duties. Well Theresa, I’ve got some news for you, I’m an Officer in the United States Army. I do what I’m told. And right now, I’ve been told to come to Iraq, fight a war against the insurgency and help the people of this once proud country to rebuild their government.

Here is one of the emails I have received from Theresa and my reply back to her. This of course is after I ridiculed her for emailing me in order to trash talk the President in the first place.

“Micah,

I was under the asumption that every American is entitled to their own opinion. BTW, I am also Catholic & don't require any morte religious training. Bush apparently does. Why aren't the trrops & Bush doing more for the poor, homeless, destitute, mentally ill here at home? Look in your USA backyard!!!

Theresa”

And my reply:

“You are entitled to your own opinion, as am I. That’s why I have a blog. That’s how I share my opinions with others. I don’t email people and basically tell them that I don’t support what they are doing. That’s what you did. By acting on your right to free speech, you violated my right to not have to listen to you. Please go away. Maybe there are some homeless, destitute veterans in your hometown of Elkader, Iowa. Go invite them into your home for a good meal.

Micah”

Now, contrary to popular belief, I don’t try to be a smart-ass, it just comes out that way. I usually don’t mean it. But in this case, I mean every bit of it. I really don’t appreciate someone emailig me to tell me that what I’m doing is not meaningful and good.

If you were here and could see the faces of the Iraqi people as we rebuild this country, I think you’d understand what I mean. If you don’t have supportive comments for the troops, keep your emails to yourself around here.

CM, Micah

Truth comes in the form of a 6-9 round burst.

Comments

[Hannah]

My fiance is currently serving in Iraq for the British army. Today a helicopter was shot down and now Im terrified hes been injured. I love America and believe that we should remain their allies, however I do feel that Britsih forces should not be fighting in a war that that no-one really knows the cause of. Speculation about oil etc is very annoying, why should my future husband risk his life for such a petty cause? The west will never understand the east and the east will never understand us. Who are we to impose our democratic lifestyle on them? Overall I believe that we have caused major havoc and unrest in iraq, so we do need to leave them wth some stabilty and then remove ourselves from there completely. The British army dont want to be out there and frankly the rioting today has proved that like American troops we are not wanted there either. Thank you for reading this, Hannah

[Dad]

OK I guess it’s my turn now. Micah has stated that his blog is not political, but a way for him to inform all of us at home here in the USA and Canada about what he is doing in Iraq. But some people out there have taken to attacking my son's character, and I don’t like or understand it. I for one was very proud of the fact that he went to Iraq to help rebuild their country even though I had reservations about the danger. I have always been proud of the things that he has done, especially following in my footsteps as a fire fighter/EMT.
Like my wife stated, he has done far more that the average person, and had he not been in Iraq this past year, he would more than likely have been down in the gulf helping there or out west fighting the wild fires, or in Oklahoma or Texas fighting the wild fires that they just had. Micah has walked miles into the western wilderness to fight forest fires started by careless campers and lightning strikes. He has taught hundreds of fire fighters from around the midwest how to safely and effectively fight wild fires. He has put out building fires and pulled people from accidents – he has saved lives. I would question whether those expressing their views against Micah and the military have done as much for their communities.
Needless to say at this point, I am proud of my son, and if those offering up the verbal attacks against him had bothered to look a little further into the blog at the archives or the pictures of his family, they would know how important his family is to him.
“Charlie Mike” Micah, the end is in sight, but unfortunately morons like Salminio and Theresa will be around forever. (Aren’t they lucky they live here in the USA rather than in the former Iraq, Iran or China or any of the other countries where free speech is forbidden. And aren’t they lucky that you stand ready to defend the nation that allows them to act like morons.)

Bring your guys home safe and soon.

Dad

[Kris, in New England]

I'm new here LT Bell - linked from LT Smash. Love your blog, love that you defend our freedoms as a volunteer, and love that you clearly take no crap from anyone. Good for you and even better for the Iraqis. Be safe wherever you are in Iraq - your country loves you and we respect and admire the sacrifices you and your family are willing to make to protect the rights of others. It's something the moonbat-lefties won't ever understand - too bad for them.

[Sgt. B.]

Micah,

Good on ya for your service... Good on ya for doing your duty...

Some folks seem to forget two things:

1. The President can commit American Armed Forces into combat for 180 days before obtaining Congressional approval (which means us Jarheads get to have fun before ya'll do!)

2. The actions in Afghanistan and Iraq were voted on, AND APPROVED by the Congress... Folks want to lay blame for anything at the feet of the President? Maybe they need to check with their elected representatives first, because THEY approved it!

Keep the faith, war-figher! You're doing great things out there!!!

[Agnieszka O. in CO]

Thank you for your service!

[Eric Sivula]

Sal, you know as much about the Constitution as you do about Lt. Bell. Which is to say nothing at all.

Once Congress -- NOT the PEOPLE, but their elected representatives -- decide whether or not military force should be used, the President -- NOT the PEOPLE who elected him -- is given the duty and Responsibility of overseeing how that force is used. Since the United States has more than 1 million men and women under arms, the President has legally selected, and Congressionally approved, subordinates to help with that task.

The "People" cannot order the troops home. They CANNOT order the President or Congress to order the troops home. The People must either convince the elected officials of this nation to withdraw our troops, or repalce them at the next cycle of elections.

And for your slanderous accusation of Lt. Bell as a wife beater and misogynist, you should hope that you never meet someone who places ANY value in your words, or they might react poorly to them.

Fortunately for you, I suspect that this fine Officer of the United States cares for your opinions about as much as he does for the rearward portions of a rodent currently residing in Pandemonium.

Thank you for your continuing service abroad, and on the Internet, Lt. Bell.

[Salminio]

The PEOPLE of this nation will decide if the United States continues war or not.
Soldiers will simply OBEY the representatives of the PEOPLE that we the PEOPLE elect to direct them in OUR wishes.

Big tough guys don't beat up on women. What are you another military wife beater? Come play with me puke. I'll take your 9 round burst and shove it up your arse.

[Eitan]

Micah,

I'm a citizen of the U.S. residing in Israel. I came to Israel 4 years ago with the purpose of serving in the IDF. Though it would be fair enough to say I betrayed my country, my family/personal history points to the contrary.

My dad was a political refugee in the U.S.S.R. He was hounded by the K.G.B. for secretely studying Hebrew. Since discovering I was Jewish at the age of 7, I've been an ardent Zionist and have had the dream of coming to Israel and performing my duty as a Jew.

That said, I'm a patriot of America as well. If I hadn't come here I would have gladly enlisted in the U.S. army. Sometimes I feel guilty I didn't do just that.

What I really wanted you to know though, is that a large majority of Israeli Jews support the American military effort in the Middle East. We're also very greatful for the support President Bush(unlike his predecessor) has shown us.

Whenever I hear of stories like yours, I'm trully inspired to do more, to be a more productive citizen, to help those who may not be as fortunate and most of all, to stay true to the cause of worldwide freedom and democracy.

G-d bless you and G-d bless America, in hope, Eitan.

[Leslie Bell]

Let me begin by saying that Lt Bell made it quite clear that it was not his intent to use this blog as a political statement, and extrapolating that out, I'm sure he did not intend for his email to become a means to convey to him political views, either. Whether or not I agree with why the toops are in Iraq is irrelevant. What is important is that I support each and every member of the miltary serving there. And having said that, I would like to enlighten Theresa on the character of Lt Bell. She has indicated that he should be at home helping people -- well, if he could, he would. And when he gets home he will. Micah grew up following in his father's footsteps -- literally. His father has been a volunteer firefighter/EMT for 30 years, and Micah learned early the meaning of helping those in his community. He took the training and became a volunteer firefighter shortly after graduating from highschool, and soon after that took his EMS training -- he was performing CPR on accident victims before most of those in his college classes even knew what they wanted to do with their lives. And this is what he continues to do in his "real" life back home -- he's the person you'd better pray is there when your house is burning or your car has rolled over, or your child is hurt. He is my son! And don't ever question his character or his reason for being where he is. He is where he has been told to be, and is doing what he has been told to do, and I'm damn proud of him!

[Papa Ray]

Hey,

Like it was said, troops go where they are told to and usually they are needed there.

Back in the day, I went, did what needed to be done and with God's Grace came home.

As far as troops doing good at home, thousands of troops helped out after the storms and in some places are still helping.

The responsibility of caring for those who can't care for themselves falls on the citys, countys and states. Also, I might remind everyone, the average citizen that can help.

The Military isn't used in that role unless expressly asked for by the Governor of a state. That is the law.

If you can't support the Mission, you can't support the troops. So, if thats the way you feel, support your community, city, state and your charities.

And let the troops do their job.

Continue the Mission.

Papa Ray
West Texas
USA