Hi,
Why do I support this war?
I was there when this phase was started.
On the morning of 9-11 I was at a job interview near the Pentagon. I saw what those *******s did to our citizens.
So what ever happens to their heads and friends causes me no heartburn.
The oil and the politics don't upset me too much. No doubt rude things happen in war, and that's why sane leaders try to avoid it. As wars go this was fairly blood less. 20k Iraqi dead is a large amount. Then again they still have cities. We diden't have to pound thier towns into the dirt like we did to Dresden, Tokyo, and the Germans did to Antwerp and Coventry.
The difference between total war and this is striking. Read some history and learn from it.
So I am here, taking the place of five troopers who have gone home after their year. Working 60 hour weeks in a war zone. Dealing with shortages, Army nonsence, Rough food and , trying to improve the troopers lives.
Outside of the scope of contract, and with the help of a bunch of radio clubs, we now have a low power FM stereo station. It plays music and old time raidio shows 24x7.
Helped the mechanics unit with data to get an armored pick up truck working for local trips.
I fix stuff for the guys here. Blown up PC power supplys (Iraq is a 220v 50hz country). Some minor TV repair, and other little fix it chores.
The UN is a useless activity. They can't find their butts with two hands and an inspection mirror. The UN leadership are not fit to be organ doners.
All I can say for those who doubt me.
Come here, meet some of the Iraqis. They will tell you about the local 'mob' who trys to lean on families and get them to do bad things to our troopers. The term the Iraqi's use is 'Ali Babbas'.
Right now what we face is a form of organized crime with the resource of a nation state. Little by little the dirt bags are being interviewed by Allah. The Armed forces are booking the meetings.
Yesterday I had dinner with some MP's who's convoy was jumped three times. At one ambush they 'took out' five of the subjects. The Up Armor Humvee is a wonderful tool for protecting our troopers from small arms fire.
As AMCITS we forgot the lessons of Social Studies class.
We use our elections settel issues, then we should close ranks and get on with the business of the nation.
As a nation we picked up a bad habbit. If we don't win our point, we keep moaning about it. That's what a lot of the above posts are, whining and trying to convince people who's minds are made up that one position or another is correct.
In a war zone issues do become 'black and white'. Bad thinking can result in deaths. Far too few AMCITS have had this experience. It will change your thinking.
Im begining to think Hineline was right. Only people who have had national service should have the right to vote on national issues. Experience is a powerful motovator.
For what it's worth a rule like that would lock me out of the voting booth. I only work here, never been part of the armed forces.
While on the rant about whining, the loosing side should be the "Loyal Opposition". That's what they gave us in High School. I had no use for President Clinton, but he was elected and properly in charge. When the man was right I said so. I kept my basic honesty. Same here, there are things our current leadership is doing that I can't support.
This war is not something I have an issue with.
Hope all is well where you are.
Jack Crow
Scania Iraq
