I just found out that I have a cousin in Iraq! He's 56 years old and has

[Crazy Guggenheim]

been there for 3 months. He's afraid to go out. One reason is the heat but the other is ........ well obvious .........

On Edit: He was in the Reserves years ago.

[Reciprocity]

1. Good grief, was this by choice? Does he have some skill that the military

is lacking?

[Crazy Guggenheim]

2. No they called him up. That's all I know.

[Poll_Blind]

3. I don't want to sound harsh but if, at 55 years of age, wisdom...

...has not provided itself in sufficient quantity to cause him to realize that a job at a gas station is preferable to serving in a military conflict, I can only say "I hope for you the best".

My heart goes out to 18 year olds and other youngsters who just don't know any better. Who haven't generally felt enough pain, both physical and emotional, to understand the true meaning of a "dire situation" as one finds oneself in war.

Other than my hopes for his safety I would also include "What...just what the hell were you thinking, man?"

PB

[Crazy Guggenheim]

6. He's very successful in business. Also he was recalled into service.

[leftchick]

8. have you heard of the call up of ready reserve troops?

and stop loss? Many of these folks are being forced into service.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

9. Thank you!!

[leftchick]

15. I thought this was fairly common knowledge

how the folks thinking they were done with the Military are being used and abused.

[Poll_Blind]

16. I can't read your mind. You said nothing about that initially.

I feel kind of jumped on when you didn't say anything about it- I replied assuming he'd enlisted and had not been called up. If you're going to post a message, and this is just a suggestion, try to do it in such a way as to include information relevant to what you're posting. Because if you don't, people go only on the information you did provide, then you edit the message and add something later which changes the matter.

I normally wouldn't post something like this except there seem to be a number of folks who are excited to jump on someone who they feel is ignorant. It's a new thing around here and I hope it goes the way of the pinkie toe and the appendix.

PB

[Crazy Guggenheim]

18. There are a lot of things YOU assumed.

[Poll_Blind]

19. Uh, yes, you're absolutely correct. How shameful of me. n/t

PB

[leftchick]

20. I meant no ill will...

And I don't feel like I "jumped on you". You seem pretty sensitive about your response. I am sorry if you took my reply the wrong way.

I simply thought perhaps you were not aware of the horrible things this administration has done to soldiers past and present. I think we are all on the same page here. :)

peace,
lc

[Poll_Blind]

13. Yes I have. The message I replied to made no mention of that.

"I just found out that I have a cousin in Iraq! He's 55 years old and has been there for 3 months. He's afraid to go out. One reason is the heat but the other is ........ well obvious ........."

PB

[Crazy Guggenheim]

14. Yes but don't assume anything!

[Poll_Blind]

17. Uh, yes, you're absolutely correct. How shameful of me. n/t

PB

[jimshoes]

4. Holy cow!

Is he an officer or elisted? That seems a tad old for a war zone. I'm 53 so I kinda near him age wise.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

10. He was with the reserves years ago. I thinkit was to get out of

Vietnam.

[NNN0LHI]

5. Military or mercenary? n/t

[Crazy Guggenheim]

7. Military!

[Lisa]

11. if they're calling up Vietnam-era people, I can think of someone ...

... who owes the Texas (and Alabama) National Guard units some service. He's 59, but is always bragging about what great shape he's in. And how he loves hot weather.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

12. Hmmm. LOL.

[leftchick]

21. that was my thought as well..

we can dream can't we?