A beautiful/horrible example of the damage being done by our relentlessly defeatist media and their partners in the “anti-war” movement: AP Poll: Military Kin Likelier to Back War.

People with friends or relatives serving in Iraq are more likely than others to have a positive view of a generally unpopular war, an AP- Ipsos poll found.

Some of those surveyed said their relationships with troops helped them learn more about what’s going on in Iraq beyond the violence. Others said their opinions of the war were shaped by a sense of loyalty to those in harm’s way.

A solid majority of those who did not know anyone in Iraq said they thought the war was a mistake, 61 percent, compared to 36 percent who thought it was the right decision. Those who had a relative or friend there were almost evenly split, 49 percent right decision, 47 percent mistake.

After Ted Chittum of Bourbon, Ind., had a chance to talk at length with his cousin who served in Iraq, he said he got a different picture of what was going on in the country.

“He talked about all the good things that are going on,” said Chittum, a school superintendent and a political independent who supports the war effort. “Schools are opening up. The people are friendly, wanting our help. You get a whole different spin from what you get on television.”

Those who know someone serving in Iraq were more likely to approve of the Bush administration’s conduct of the war _ 44 percent, compared to 37 percent overall.

“From most of the information I get, the people over there fighting basically are proud to be there and feel they’re doing something good,” said Sally Dowling, a bank employee from Mesa, Ariz., who said her boss’s son is serving in Iraq. “That brings it home more than if I didn’t know anybody.”