West Point welcomes 1st Iraqi cadet

[ECH1969]

The U.S. Military Academy is welcoming its first cadet from Iraq, a 19-year-old who wants serve his country's army after witnessing violence in Baghdad.

Incoming Cadet Jameel acknowledged Thursday that attending West Point poses potential dangers to him and his family in Iraq. He said it is worth it for a chance to go to the school, which he called "the best military academy in the world."

"You are at risk when you're walking down the street. It's better to die holding a rifle than to die walking down the street as a civilian."

"I'm going to help rebuild the Iraqi army because most of the officers now in the Iraqi army, they are not very well-qualified," Jameel said. "I'll try to transfer what I learn here."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060623/NEWS06/606230430/1012

[LibDemAlways]

1. "It's better to die holding a rifle than to die walking

down the street as a civilian"

Hasn't this kid figured out that dead is dead? His chances of being able to walk down the street without getting blown up would have been considerably better had the US not illegally invaded and occupied his country.

And, since when is West Point a training ground for the Iraqi Army? Something smells about this story.

[Benhurst]

4. Does West Point have a tradition of training foreign nationals

(at, I suppose, our expense) or is this an exception being made for a citizen of Bush's new colony?

[charlie and algernon]

2. best of luck to him

I hope he graduates and I pray his family remains safe.

[shain from kane]

3. Custer, meet Jameel. "Where did all those insurgents come from?" n/t

[Moderator]

5. duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=2351650