Just a former US soldier who served 2 combat tours in Iraq as well as an additional tour as a Federal Civilian. These are my thoughts on life, family, the Army, and other insights. ****DISCLAIMER**** ALL opinions expressed on this blog are those of myself in my private capacity and not as a representative of the DoD, DA, or any particular element of the Government. By viewing this site you accept and agree to this disclaimer in the use of any information accessed in this website.
Did you know that Time magazine mentioned your blog as one of the '5 riveting soldier's blogs' to read? This is the firs time I've checked this out. It's so hard for us in America to comprehend what you guys are going through over there. I pray for your safety and that you can return home soon to your family. We haven't forgotten you guys over there.
I agree with the last comment and trust you will safely return to your family and friends back home. Read about your Blog from the same source as above. It is great to be able to read about your time out in Iraq. I am ex-Royal Air Force (UK) and will keep reading your Blog entries which are so well written.
I became aware of your blog from its mention in Time Magazine. As an Army Interrogator and Arabic and Farsi linguist during and after Gulf War I, I was intrigued by the idea of your having this outlet to use while you are working in what are remarkable circumstances.
I would love to chat with you, and I will be watching and reading your blog in the coming days and weeks. So far what I have read is really great.
of course we think about what the iraqis are going through. More than Half of America feels this war was unjustified and wrong. Many of us feel the sanctions during Clinton's adminstration were wrongly handled and caused undue suffering.
But what of your fellow Iraqi men who served under Sadam. Do you blame them for the murders, the secret executions, the gassing of your own people. Do you blame those who followed Sadam's orders? Your brothers and fathers and nephews?
Think about it. I'm sure you know good people who were in the Iraqi military who did horrible things. Do you blame them, or Sadam for his bloodlust?
And yet most seem to think that Iraqis suffered only because Saddam built palaces, not because the U.S. insisted on depriving Iraq of the most basic necessities of life.
Hurria, for the amount that Saddam spent on palaces and other forms of self-glorification, those basic necessities could have been provided.
I cannot argue with how you feel. The reason I am against this war and this current US administration is precisely due to things that you have had to endure.
I know that if the US were invaded by an outside force and we had seen innocent civilians killed by enemy solidiers, most of us would feel the way you do.
But, in that case, if there were soldiers who were trying to see past the corrupt policies of their leaders, I would at least acknowledge that bravery. I would hope that I would, anyway.
But I've not been in your shoes, so I am only supposing.
One thing I know though, is that we are all connected in the family of humanity. What we see as outside of ourselves, is really a reflection of ourselves. That may seem too abstract, but I know this to be true - and what it points to is that we all are here to see that we are inseparable.
Religious hatreds distort this truth - sadly the very truth i think they were created to reveal. And until we each awaken to our most essential nature, that which is pure love, we will continue on this path towards more separation and confusion.
To love one's enemy is the most difficult instruction. But it is found in the Sufi tradition, in the Christian tradition, and in the Buddhist tradition. To truly see this one has open one's eyes very wide - beyond just our family, beyond our village/city, even beyond our various nationalities.
And I feel this is the only way any of us will wake up. It is not easy, and as it is said, We are all given what we need in this life to wake up. But no one said it will be an easy ride.
With love for all sides, all directions, all beings,
Hurria: If all the money that Saddam spent on his military, his cronies, and himself, all that damage could have been repaired. That was the intention of the sanctions: He'd have been left with just enough resources to cover civilian needs, and not a penny more. In hindsight, we all should have seen how stupid that was, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
BTW, Hurria, do you read much science fiction? If so, I'd recommend going to Baen's Bar ( http://bar.baen.com ). There are some forums there that could use your perspective.
12 comments:
Did you know that Time magazine mentioned your blog as one of the '5 riveting soldier's blogs' to read? This is the firs time I've checked this out. It's so hard for us in America to comprehend what you guys are going through over there. I pray for your safety and that you can return home soon to your family. We haven't forgotten you guys over there.
Joe--Minnesota
Hi there
I agree with the last comment and trust you will safely return to your family and friends back home. Read about your Blog from the same source as above. It is great to be able to read about your time out in Iraq. I am ex-Royal Air Force (UK) and will keep reading your Blog entries which are so well written.
Wishing you all the best
David
Maybe you could be a WAR correspondent.
Hi,
I became aware of your blog from its mention in Time Magazine. As an Army Interrogator and Arabic and Farsi linguist during and after Gulf War I, I was intrigued by the idea of your having this outlet to use while you are working in what are remarkable circumstances.
I would love to chat with you, and I will be watching and reading your blog in the coming days and weeks. So far what I have read is really great.
Allah ma'ek ya sadiqi
hurria,
of course we think about what the iraqis are going through. More than Half of America feels this war was unjustified and wrong. Many of us feel the sanctions during Clinton's adminstration were wrongly handled and caused undue suffering.
But what of your fellow Iraqi men who served under Sadam. Do you blame them for the murders, the secret executions, the gassing of your own people. Do you blame those who followed Sadam's orders? Your brothers and fathers and nephews?
Think about it. I'm sure you know good people who were in the Iraqi military who did horrible things.
Do you blame them, or Sadam for his bloodlust?
Rick
You made Time magazine!
here:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1106331-1,00.html
Way to go...YEA!
Pebble
And yet most seem to think that Iraqis suffered only because Saddam built palaces, not because the U.S. insisted on depriving Iraq of the most basic necessities of life.
Hurria, for the amount that Saddam spent on palaces and other forms of self-glorification, those basic necessities could have been provided.
hurria,
I cannot argue with how you feel. The reason I am against this war and this current US administration is precisely due to things that you have had to endure.
I know that if the US were invaded by an outside force and we had seen innocent civilians killed by enemy solidiers, most of us would feel the way you do.
But, in that case, if there were soldiers who were trying to see past the corrupt policies of their leaders, I would at least acknowledge that bravery. I would hope that I would, anyway.
But I've not been in your shoes, so I am only supposing.
One thing I know though, is that we are all connected in the family of humanity. What we see as outside of ourselves, is really a reflection of ourselves. That may seem too abstract, but I know this to be true - and what it points to is that we all are here to see that we are inseparable.
Religious hatreds distort this truth - sadly the very truth i think they were created to reveal. And until we each awaken to our most essential nature, that which is pure love, we will continue on this path towards more separation and confusion.
To love one's enemy is the most difficult instruction. But it is found in the Sufi tradition, in the Christian tradition, and in the Buddhist tradition. To truly see this one has open one's eyes very wide - beyond just our family, beyond our village/city, even beyond our various nationalities.
And I feel this is the only way any of us will wake up. It is not easy, and as it is said, We are all given what we need in this life to wake up. But no one said it will be an easy ride.
With love for all sides, all directions, all beings,
Rick
Hurria: If all the money that Saddam spent on his military, his cronies, and himself, all that damage could have been repaired. That was the intention of the sanctions: He'd have been left with just enough resources to cover civilian needs, and not a penny more. In hindsight, we all should have seen how stupid that was, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.
BTW, Hurria, do you read much science fiction? If so, I'd recommend going to Baen's Bar ( http://bar.baen.com ). There are some forums there that could use your perspective.
since no one commented on the actual sunrise, i will. it's very pretty:D!the fence in the picture kind of brings it all into perspective though.
Hi Zach -- I love your photos. Keep them coming.
Dianne
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