War in Iraq an Echo From Beyond Walls (Camp Victory)

[leftchick]

<snip>

Here at Camp Victory, which some soldiers jokingly refer to as "Campus Victory," the war seems farther away than the distant blasts — even though the sprawling base near Baghdad International Airport is the headquarters for the U.S. military in Iraq.

Elsewhere in Iraq, many of the 130,000 American troops live in spartan conditions and exchange fire almost daily with insurgents. Hundreds of Marines in outposts along the Syrian border go weeks without showers or hot meals.

But at Camp Victory, a complex of caramel-colored stone palaces near Baghdad International Airport, top U.S. and coalition commanders now enjoy an array of modern conveniences and amenities.

U.S. troops now search for their SUVs in packed parking lots where Saddam Hussein once strolled. Soldiers in a clear blue pool play water volleyball. Manicures are available at a beauty parlor and contractors stroll home with their dry-cleaning in tow.

<snip>

"Camp Victory is the place where dreams are made," said Spc. Paul Gober, an Illinois National Guardsman from Chicago, shortly before he went for a swim.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060503/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_camp_victory_1



A Black Hawk helicopter flies over U.S. and coalition soldiers swimming at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq, April 9, 2006. Top U.S. and coalition commanders and their staffs now enjoy an array of modern conveniences and amenities across the command center. (AP Photo/Antonio Castaneda)

..It sounds like a permanent base to me.

[acmavm]

1. This is really f**ked up. How can the military justify this shit? Sending

how many thousands out to fight and then they sit in comfort, even luxury, in a country we invaded without justification?

This just boggles the mind. Too damn early to try to digest this story and not just want to blow a vein.

[OneBlueSky]

2. not to mention that we're building the world's largest embassy . . .

that will essentially be an enclosed city unto itself . . . the cost will be in the billions, and it will be larger than Vatican City . . .

yeah, I'd say we're planning to stay there . . . probably forever . . .