According to a letter to the editor published in 11 different United States newspapers,… According to a letter to the editor published in 11 different United States newspapers, things in Iraq are just dandy.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Part of the letter reads, “The quality of life and security for citizens has been largely restored, and we are a large part of why that happened.” Sounds fabulous. There’s only one problem.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ No one knows who actually wrote the letter. Not one of seven soldiers contacted by USA Today, all of whom are in the regiment the letter purports to have come from, has any idea who wrote it.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ One soldier only learned of the existence of the letter after his father congratulated him on writing — and having published — such a fine letter in their town’s newspaper. That particular instance highlights the despicable machinations behind this blatant piece of propaganda being foisted by who-knows-whom on newspaper readers.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ This fabricated letter is clearly a piece of public relations puffery. It’s not surprising to see such a patent manipulation of public opinion in the face of sagging public support for the continued American occupation in Iraq. The Bush administration, in fact, is undertaking an image campaign to bolster support. While Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman denies any knowledge of a coordinated campaign, someone has to be behind this calculated maneuver.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ “Hometown” newspapers have a particular interest in “their boys” on the front. Hearing from them makes for a good story and tugs the heartstrings, and showing support for them is patriotism on the small scale. Targeting such papers with this kind of orchestrated falsity is appalling.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ However, the papers themselves cannot be absolved. No paper should run a letter without verifying the identity of the purported writer. Here at The Pitt News, we have a policy of, at barest minimum, voice contact with letter-writers before a letter gets published. Granted, soldiers in Iraq aren’t exactly a phone call away, but the letters had to be sent from somewhere. Most soldiers have at least limited access to e-mail, and can always get snail-mail. All the newspapers should have made some effort to contact the writers and verify their identity and if they had, in fact, written the letter.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ Instead, 11 newspapers ran letters bearing false signatures, misrepresenting soldiers and playing into the hands of a campaign carefully orchestrated by some unknown entity.

‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘ What a disgrace.