We need to see more this direct information.

The enemy is still plotting against us and has more support than ever. This is mostly due to the repeated coverage of the prisoner scandal. For the first time Iraqis have cable so they get all the same channels like ABC, CNN, etc. However they can't understand English so they just see all the "new" pictures and don't know that we are appalled by the behavior of those prison guards.

Soldiers in our chow hall all get so mad when they see the added coverage on the scandal - and it is always on - because they know when they go out of the wire (outside their base) . . . for a patrol through the Fallujah area some of the locals will be extra violent and opposed to Americans because they honestly believe that is what our organization is about and that all soldiers are rapists. Not only does it make our job more dangerous and harder but it also discounts all the schools that we have improved, water piping we have added, electricity we have given them, etc.

In the past week I have seen a distinct difference in the children's behavior toward us. The kids used to wave at us, smile, give us the "thumbs-up," and try to imitate us. Now they run from us or stay inside.

I assume Arabic TV networks have loved this scandal as much as CNN. I worry that Americans at home in the U.S. have no clue how great the U.S. men and women are over here and that those of us here may be thrown into a negative stereotype from this scandal. Much like the American servicemen of the Vietnam war were often referred to as "baby killers."

These soldiers work their butts off over here and I can't believe they have the motivation to keep on charging without a break. I am physically drained, I haven't showered in a week, I haven't had a meal in two days, and I haven't slept more than 5 hours in I don't know how long. Never a day or hour off, this is the standard here for infantry types.