As anyone who is paying attention to politics knows, Bush gave a big speech yesterday outlining the strategy for victory in Iraq. TOL commented last night, and excerpted a portion where Bush mentioned Marine Corporal Jeff Starr, who was killed fighting terrorists.

But what you might not remember, is that the reason that Jeff Starr became the name to mention, is that he was inaccurately portrayed by the New York Times excerpting a portion of a letter found on his laptop, and then bloggers (with Michelle Malkin taking the lead) used their collective megaphone to point out that there was more to Jeff’s letter than the NYT published.

Here is what the NYT excerpted:

Another member of the 1/5, Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, rejected a $24,000 bonus to re-enlist. Corporal Starr believed strongly in the war, his father said, but was tired of the harsh life and nearness of death in Iraq. So he enrolled at Everett Community College near his parents’ home in Snohomish, Wash., planning to study psychology after his enlistment ended in August.

But he died in a firefight in Ramadi on April 30 during his third tour in Iraq. He was 22.

Sifting through Corporal Starr’s laptop computer after his death, his father found a letter to be delivered to the marine’s girlfriend. “I kind of predicted this,” Corporal Starr wrote of his own death. “A third time just seemed like I’m pushing my chances.”

And the piece that Bush quoted yesterday, is what the NYT left out.

“Obviously if you are reading this then I have died in Iraq. I kind of predicted this, that is why I’m writing this in November. A third time just seemed like I’m pushing my chances. I don’t regret going, everybody dies but few get to do it for something as important as freedom. It may seem confusing why we are in Iraq, it’s not to me. I’m here helping these people, so that they can live the way we live. Not have to worry about tyrants or vicious dictators. To do what they want with their lives. To me that is why I died. Others have died for my freedom, now this is my mark.”

Blogs such as Patridiots and Daily KOS are beating the “what Bush left out” drum, pointing out that Corporal Starr was on his third tour of duty and was not going to reinlist. But many others are very pleased with the speech, and apparently think that it’s about time that Bush took the “come out swinging” approach.

By mentioning Jeff Starr, I think Bush was making a specific effort to honor a fallen soldier who was besmirched by the New York Times through selective editing, and I say, “Excellent speech, Mr. President.”

More on the speech and related matters from Suitably Flip, Smash, ITA, Jeremiah Stoddard, Moderate Voice, Glittering Eye, California Yankee and Trucker Philosophy.