I have a membership with Netflix. They take about 2 1/2 weeks to get here sometimes, but they get here. I was watching a documentary about the 2000 election. The documentary focused on how the election was stolen from the Democrats. I have to stop watching that stuff, because every time I watch stuff like that I just get more and more angry. The audacity...just the audacity of the Republicans to go to those lengths to steal the election. It just boggles my mind. It's hard (still) to put my mind around just how disgustingly duplicitous the Republicans were--and they got away with it. Where the hell was the "Liberal News Media?" Those bastards are lazy but they sure aren't liberal.
It makes what we're doing here all the more galling because if Gore hadn't been cheated out of the election we probably wouldn't be here in Iraq. All the bad stuff that has happened in the last 7 years, or most of it, wouldn't have happened. Naturally, if a 9/11-type of attack had happened the Republicans would have blamed the Democrats for being "soft" on terrorism. I'll tell you what--they may have been better at combatting terrorism because there would have been continuity of the effort and emphasis on the problem. Bush and Co. were looking at China as the bogeyman, not Osama. I have to stop because I am starting to REALLY get angry.
So Obama won the South Carolina primary. I'm not surprised. I am surprised by the margin of the vote, though. Clinton, if she is going to win, needs to change the subject and get her machine rolling in the states voting on Feb. 5th. Letting the press (who hate the Clintons) dictate the tempo and the news coverage is not helpful; she needs to dictate the news. She can do it. I am actually gravitating to her a little because I think the press, enabled by the Republicans, are doing a hit-job on her. Straight up, they are doing a hit job on her. Edwards, my candidate, just isn't going to win it, but he can still influence the outcome. I think the only time I voted in the primary for the eventual nominee was probably 1996, when I voted for Clinton, and 2000 when I voted for Gore. In 2004 I voted for Wesley Clark, and like I said, this time I voted for Edwards.
Well, the next 7 days will be pretty interesting. Not too much is being spoken about this around the office (surprise!). Most of them are republicans, and all the Republicans suck, so there isn't a whole lot to talk about. Good for them. It's about time they all shut the hell up.
OUT
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
90 Days and counting
I've said before that I'm a National Guardsman from Maryland, and we were mobilized for serving in Iraq on 23 April 2007. We were (are) scheduled to be on active duty for a year. Well, we are approaching the finish line here. there is no reason to believe we'll get extended, so in about 90 days (give or take a few) we should all be at home, kicked back, drinking a cold one and celebrating a job well done. Our unit was given some pretty high praise by the Deputy Commander for Multi National Corps-Iraq, MG Simmons. He congratulated the unit on a superb job of sustaining the level of support here and making a positive material difference in the quality of life for soldiers here at VBC.
So as I get closer to leaving, I have been looking back on the last 270 days spent on active duty (and the 220+ spent in Iraq) looking for some meaning. There are fewer people getting killed here than there were when we first arrived. It was pretty wild when we got here. I think everyone probably thinks that before they go, except maybe the guys who were here in the beginning. Despite the blather from people like John McCain, the country doesn't seem a whole lot closer to coming together politically than it was back in June. You know, when you hear the pro-surge folks say that it's working, if they were honest they would say that the military objectives of the troop surge have been achieved. Of course, since there never has been a Plan B to the surge, qualifying the evaluation of its effectiveness begs questions; like, what else can be done by the US to get the sides to come together? The answer is, nothing. Or questions like, now what? The troop surge lasted (at full strength) about 6-7 months. There just are not enough forces ready, equipped, manned and trained to come over here. We are down to 17 Army Combat Brigades and two Marine Regiments. The contributions of countries like Georgia and Macedonia and Tonga, while appreciated, are frankly inconsequential.
So when I look at how I spent the year here, I sort of have mixed feelings. I'd be ashamed if I had wormed my way out of serving here, but I really don't have the sense of pride I hoped I would. I think it's because we still don't know how it's going to turn out. And with the election coming in the fall, now is not the time to be expecting bold new ideas about what to do here. By the way, I finally got my absentee ballot and filled it out. I will say that I felt pretty proud to be voting from a war zone. You know, people back home decline to vote when it's rainy or they want to eat dinner or they're tired, and I can tell people: dammit, if I can vote from a war zone, then you can vote from a peace zone. Get off your butt and do your civic duty. I voted for John Edwards in the Maryland Democratic Primary. I think we need someone who is going to kick some ass in the White House...uhhh, wait a minute. Maybe that isn't what I mean to say. We have someone like that in there now. I mean that we need a guy (or gal) who is going to do the right thing, and fight the morally right battles. That is sorely lacking in the current administration. They have to be one of the most immoral and unethical cabals to ever have the reins of power in recorded history. That takes a lot.
So, when it comes down to it, things here, in my opinion, will kind of reach an equilibrium over the next 12-15 months. After that, I am not optimistic. It's a mess. Yesterday the Iraqi government stated that they want to start transitioning US units to support roles this summer. THAT will be interesting. If they think that our units will just sit tight on the FOB waiting for a 911 call for logistical support, they are smoking crack. The Iraqis don't have the same concept of Operational Security (OPSEC) that we do--in fact, OPSEC is a foreign concept to them. The idea that we roll out only when they need us sounds like it could devolve into a more dangerous situation that we're in right now. Now we have the initiative. If we're simply a reactive force we'll be putting our soldiers at risk every time they leave the FOB. Not a very good idea.
I think I know what's best for this country. In fact, I should be named King For Life. I even picked out the throne I want to rule from:
Nice, huh? The big copper thing to my left is my "genie-in-a-bottle."
Here are a few pictures I took that I thought were interesting. This one is of two UH-60 Blackhawks landing. It looks like one of them is about to land on the water. I took it on my birthday, basically because there wasn't a whole lot to do that day.
I also took this picture of the sun coming through the clouds that same afternoon.
Finally, I took this picture of the sunset about a week ago. As plain as this place is, we have really been getting some nice sunsets the last few weeks.
That's all for now. I will be back this weekend or early next week. See you later.
OUT
So as I get closer to leaving, I have been looking back on the last 270 days spent on active duty (and the 220+ spent in Iraq) looking for some meaning. There are fewer people getting killed here than there were when we first arrived. It was pretty wild when we got here. I think everyone probably thinks that before they go, except maybe the guys who were here in the beginning. Despite the blather from people like John McCain, the country doesn't seem a whole lot closer to coming together politically than it was back in June. You know, when you hear the pro-surge folks say that it's working, if they were honest they would say that the military objectives of the troop surge have been achieved. Of course, since there never has been a Plan B to the surge, qualifying the evaluation of its effectiveness begs questions; like, what else can be done by the US to get the sides to come together? The answer is, nothing. Or questions like, now what? The troop surge lasted (at full strength) about 6-7 months. There just are not enough forces ready, equipped, manned and trained to come over here. We are down to 17 Army Combat Brigades and two Marine Regiments. The contributions of countries like Georgia and Macedonia and Tonga, while appreciated, are frankly inconsequential.
So when I look at how I spent the year here, I sort of have mixed feelings. I'd be ashamed if I had wormed my way out of serving here, but I really don't have the sense of pride I hoped I would. I think it's because we still don't know how it's going to turn out. And with the election coming in the fall, now is not the time to be expecting bold new ideas about what to do here. By the way, I finally got my absentee ballot and filled it out. I will say that I felt pretty proud to be voting from a war zone. You know, people back home decline to vote when it's rainy or they want to eat dinner or they're tired, and I can tell people: dammit, if I can vote from a war zone, then you can vote from a peace zone. Get off your butt and do your civic duty. I voted for John Edwards in the Maryland Democratic Primary. I think we need someone who is going to kick some ass in the White House...uhhh, wait a minute. Maybe that isn't what I mean to say. We have someone like that in there now. I mean that we need a guy (or gal) who is going to do the right thing, and fight the morally right battles. That is sorely lacking in the current administration. They have to be one of the most immoral and unethical cabals to ever have the reins of power in recorded history. That takes a lot.
So, when it comes down to it, things here, in my opinion, will kind of reach an equilibrium over the next 12-15 months. After that, I am not optimistic. It's a mess. Yesterday the Iraqi government stated that they want to start transitioning US units to support roles this summer. THAT will be interesting. If they think that our units will just sit tight on the FOB waiting for a 911 call for logistical support, they are smoking crack. The Iraqis don't have the same concept of Operational Security (OPSEC) that we do--in fact, OPSEC is a foreign concept to them. The idea that we roll out only when they need us sounds like it could devolve into a more dangerous situation that we're in right now. Now we have the initiative. If we're simply a reactive force we'll be putting our soldiers at risk every time they leave the FOB. Not a very good idea.
I think I know what's best for this country. In fact, I should be named King For Life. I even picked out the throne I want to rule from:
Nice, huh? The big copper thing to my left is my "genie-in-a-bottle."
Here are a few pictures I took that I thought were interesting. This one is of two UH-60 Blackhawks landing. It looks like one of them is about to land on the water. I took it on my birthday, basically because there wasn't a whole lot to do that day.
I also took this picture of the sun coming through the clouds that same afternoon.
Finally, I took this picture of the sunset about a week ago. As plain as this place is, we have really been getting some nice sunsets the last few weeks.
That's all for now. I will be back this weekend or early next week. See you later.
OUT
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Yet another day
(Originally written on Christmas Day, not posted until 9 January)
Happy Groundhog Day! Actually, today is Christmas Day. Unlike a lot of other folks here serving, this is my first Christmas on a deployment away from home. In 2003 I was mobilized for a CONUS mission to Andrews AFB in Maryland, which was close enough to home for me to be at home Christmas Day. This is a little bit different. The vibe of Christmas, you can feel it a little bit. We have the day off, people are around their CHU’s all day since they don’t have to go to work, and it does feel like a non-work day. Of course, there were what must have been a few controlled detonations somewhere nearby, and waking up to them is something that makes one a little nervous. Anyway…
So, since I get to read the news everyday on the internet, I am trying to figure out how the country feels about this whole scandal with the CIA taping these abusive interrogations, then destroying the tapes. First, how it is that we as a country can have serious dialogue about torturing people just mystifies me. People who are self-proclaimed Christians are foaming at the mouth that we need to be torturing people in order to get information. Second, the fact that the CIA actually filmed this stuff, then kept it around for awhile, is a little strange. Why film it? To refine the technique? To record all the information, like a police interrogation? Who was the guy behind the camera, and what was he thinking? I can say that yeah, in the aftermath of 9/11, I definitely wanted revenge. I didn’t care about anything but retribution. The problem is that those days are long gone.
Let’s consider Afghanistan for a second. We are barely hanging on there; we are able to keep the Taliban and Al Qaida from taking control of the entire country, but neither we nor NATO have the force size to eradicate both of those elements from Afghanistan. Why? Because we have about 150k troops here in Iraq, that’s why. We went to war here because the administration lied, and our friends gave us the benefit of the doubt. Now, the truth is out, and the other military powers who COULD help--England, France, Germany, hey--what about bringing the Chinese into this?--don’t believe a word that the president says. And the countries who are here in Iraq are, shall we say, motivated by other incentives to be here. What do you think the Albanian Army brings to the table in Iraq? I’m asking myself the same question. The Macedonian Army? The Army of El Salvador? Well, maybe they can bring some counterinsurgency experience to the table, but frankly, what they fought is a whole lot different from the political environment here. The Ukrainian Navy is here, too. These forces are here in small numbers, so small they are frankly inconsequential. I don’t know how much money they get for being here, but it’s enough, I guess. The administration is using the US Army to pay for the house, and they’re using these little third-rate banana republic armies for the window dressing.
And what are the Democrats doing to get things right? Hmm. Not a whole lot that I can tell, other than playing the waiting game. I’ve said this before--they need to show some brass balls and present an alternative solution, one that doesn’t involve trying to force Bush to do what they want by cutting off funding for the troops. I still find it hard to swallow that they have been in charge of Congress for a year now and they’ve rolled over for Bush on all of this stuff. Bush is no Bill Clinton when it comes to his political skill, and the Dems are standing there getting pummeled. Something I learned as a young second lieutenant was pick and choose your battles--the Dems in Congress are picking all the losing ones. They look impotent and ineffectual.
And here Bush is, just whistling past the graveyard--literally--as he plays out the clock. Disgraceful.
I was going to try and upload some pics. That will have to happen a little later. I am having some "technical difficulties."
I’ll have some more very soon.
OUT
Happy Groundhog Day! Actually, today is Christmas Day. Unlike a lot of other folks here serving, this is my first Christmas on a deployment away from home. In 2003 I was mobilized for a CONUS mission to Andrews AFB in Maryland, which was close enough to home for me to be at home Christmas Day. This is a little bit different. The vibe of Christmas, you can feel it a little bit. We have the day off, people are around their CHU’s all day since they don’t have to go to work, and it does feel like a non-work day. Of course, there were what must have been a few controlled detonations somewhere nearby, and waking up to them is something that makes one a little nervous. Anyway…
So, since I get to read the news everyday on the internet, I am trying to figure out how the country feels about this whole scandal with the CIA taping these abusive interrogations, then destroying the tapes. First, how it is that we as a country can have serious dialogue about torturing people just mystifies me. People who are self-proclaimed Christians are foaming at the mouth that we need to be torturing people in order to get information. Second, the fact that the CIA actually filmed this stuff, then kept it around for awhile, is a little strange. Why film it? To refine the technique? To record all the information, like a police interrogation? Who was the guy behind the camera, and what was he thinking? I can say that yeah, in the aftermath of 9/11, I definitely wanted revenge. I didn’t care about anything but retribution. The problem is that those days are long gone.
Let’s consider Afghanistan for a second. We are barely hanging on there; we are able to keep the Taliban and Al Qaida from taking control of the entire country, but neither we nor NATO have the force size to eradicate both of those elements from Afghanistan. Why? Because we have about 150k troops here in Iraq, that’s why. We went to war here because the administration lied, and our friends gave us the benefit of the doubt. Now, the truth is out, and the other military powers who COULD help--England, France, Germany, hey--what about bringing the Chinese into this?--don’t believe a word that the president says. And the countries who are here in Iraq are, shall we say, motivated by other incentives to be here. What do you think the Albanian Army brings to the table in Iraq? I’m asking myself the same question. The Macedonian Army? The Army of El Salvador? Well, maybe they can bring some counterinsurgency experience to the table, but frankly, what they fought is a whole lot different from the political environment here. The Ukrainian Navy is here, too. These forces are here in small numbers, so small they are frankly inconsequential. I don’t know how much money they get for being here, but it’s enough, I guess. The administration is using the US Army to pay for the house, and they’re using these little third-rate banana republic armies for the window dressing.
And what are the Democrats doing to get things right? Hmm. Not a whole lot that I can tell, other than playing the waiting game. I’ve said this before--they need to show some brass balls and present an alternative solution, one that doesn’t involve trying to force Bush to do what they want by cutting off funding for the troops. I still find it hard to swallow that they have been in charge of Congress for a year now and they’ve rolled over for Bush on all of this stuff. Bush is no Bill Clinton when it comes to his political skill, and the Dems are standing there getting pummeled. Something I learned as a young second lieutenant was pick and choose your battles--the Dems in Congress are picking all the losing ones. They look impotent and ineffectual.
And here Bush is, just whistling past the graveyard--literally--as he plays out the clock. Disgraceful.
I was going to try and upload some pics. That will have to happen a little later. I am having some "technical difficulties."
I’ll have some more very soon.
OUT
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