What the troops really think

[frogcycle]

interesting blogsite

http://deaniemills.com/2007/06/06/what-the-troops-really-think-voices-from-iraq.aspx

excerpts:

"In Mosul, in 2003, it felt like we were making the city a better place…(but now, on his third deployment), "We killed a man who was setting a roadside bomb. And when we searched the bomber's body, we found identification showing that he was a sergeant in the Iraqi Army.

"I thought, What are we doing here? Why are we still here? We're helping guys that are trying to kill us. We help them in the day. They turn around at night and try to kill us.

"If we stayed here for five, even ten more years, the day we leave here these guys will go crazy. It would go straight into a civil war. That's how it feels, like we're putting a band-aid on this country until we leave here."--Staff Sgt. David Safstrom, Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division.

"In 2003, 2004, 100 percent of the soldiers wanted to be here, to fight this war. Now, 95 percent of my platoon agrees with me." (that we should get out.)--Sgt. First Class David Moore, platoon sergeant., same unit, self-described "conservative Texas Republican"

"The Iraqi Army would not fight with us. Some actually picked up weapons and fought against us…Before that fight, there were a few true believers. After that, I don't think you'll find a true believer in this unit. They're paratroopers. There's no question they'll fulfill their mission. But they're fighting now for pride in their unit, professionalism, loyalty to their fellow soldiers, and chain of command."--Capt. Douglas Rogers, same unit.

"I don't believe we should be here in the middle of a civil war. We've all lost friends over here. Most of us don't know what we're fighting for anymore. We're serving our country and our friends, but the only reason we go out every day is for each other.

"I don't want any more of my guys to get hurt or die. If it was something I felt righteous about, maybe. But for this country and this conflict, no, it's not worth it."--Sgt. Kevin O'Flarity, squad leader, same unit

[jgraz]

1. Over 50% of the military campaign contributions have gone to Ron Paul

That's a pretty strong indicator of where the troops' thinking is.

[JacquesMolay]

2. We gotta leave...

... the Iraqis have got to sort this s*** out for themselves.

[frogcycle]

3. I don't know how Jim Webb contained himself

When Lindsey Graham kept chanting "let them win!" and bragging about the 500+ who re-enlisted on the 4th. 9biggest single reenlistment ever) I'd love to get the real scoop on how much effort went on behind the scenes to stage THAT event. I bet they collected all the ones who decided to re-up for the past couple of months and delayed it to be able to make that claim. And he seemed to overlook mentioning that the Academy grads in the junior officer corps are leaving in droves after their six years.


Of course Webb only had so much time, and Timmy didn't give him a chance to make it into a debate, but it sure could have been a devastating filleting of Graham. I'd like Webb to challenge him to a debate - or for that matter to a damned duel!

[frogcycle]

4. blatant self-kick

deserves more eyeballs