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.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Troubled Times
If the army follows suit then I am in for another tour in Iraq...
19 comments:
Anonymous
said...
That’s truly horrible. When will this administration realize that they are forcing troops to fight a loosing battle? Enough is enough!
Oh God Zach, it better not be you. Enough is enough. I don't know how to end this. I write, I called, nothing me as a little person does seems to matter. Just pray it doesn't happen to you. I continue to read your blog and check it daily. Margie from New York
Man.. Saw that this morning and immedately came over here to check.. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you don't get drug back... The vacation pictures of smiling kinds with their dad definitely beat being stuck overseas again - to put it mildly! ;)
People want to get all "pissy" about the draft, but the country has three very distinct choices to make right now. Do we send people like Zach back for 3,4,5 and 6 tours of duty, do we draft and relieve people like Zach, or do we just get the heck out NOW. I have said that I strongly favor getting out NOW, but conversely just how fair is it to dump all the work on people like Zach if this debacle is allowed to continue? Without name calling and finger pointing, there is a national debate that needs to happen NOW. If we are not going to get out, the structure exists already within Selective Service. The 20 year olds are called up first followed by 21 and then up to 26, then they come back around to the 18 and 19 year olds. Each male that registers know that this risk exists and accepts it. Simply pointing fingers back and forth saying "Why don't you go?" doesn't solve the problem. Bush made the problem, but we as a people are gonna have to fix it. So how are we gonna do it?
Roamer in mich - I agree with what you said except that the next draft will include young women. I have two granddaughters and I am very uneasy about the thought of them being drafted for military service. I am equally uneasy about the thought of all the fine boys I've taught in high school being drafted. Now, after all the discussion about equality young women will be included. Interestingly, it would also mean that George Bush's daughters would be drafted. Some Americans have asked how it is that neither of them has been convinced enough by all their father's rhetoric to volunteer to fight for whatever it is we are fighting for in Iraq. I do wonder if Zach couldn't appeal a call up based on hardship because he has 2 children and he was away from them for so long. Of course a lot of other soldiers were, too. This killing and destruction has to stop.
Zach, like albaroz said, time to think about making the move up north here. Me and my family would help you out anyway we can. Just know if the time comes, you have friends here to help, I'm only an email away... Kate MacKay
On reflection, I've decided that the only solution here is for the antiwar movement to grow so the war will end. I have trouble understanding why more people are not involved in some way but I'm afraid the reason may be that there is no draft and they think they will never be directly harmed by the Iraq War. I'm not sure what has to happen to make them understand that they really are being harmed right now.
"I've decided it's time to step up to the plate and publicly challenge the defeatists. Over a month ago, I published my explanation for why I believe that we're winning the war in Iraq and I now issue a challenge so listen up: prove me wrong. I'm willing to debate those who can present a logical explanation for why we're losing the war and should their explanation top mine I'm willing to admit my wrongs.
Here is my request; whenever you hear or read someone who thinks that the war in Iraq is going badly or being lost, send them to me. Put up a link to this post and tell them they better bring their "A" game."
In the interest of total accuracy it is important to clarify that the blogger who issued the afore mentioned challenge was NOT the party who placed it on this blog site - Anonymous is a very interested and unrelated THIRD PARTY! I would not wish it to be thought that Bandit 36 was responsible for selecting this site. And it was me and me alone who dared Zachary to accept the challenge and NOT the blogger who issued the challenge.
Sir! No Sir is the wrong response, wrong war, wrong venue. I figured there was a snowballs chance in the warmer place that Zachary would accept the challenge. There is still time but he has to go to the blog in question and lay out his rational for defeat. Since he believes it there should be no problem unless he doesn't feel he can win.
Yet another reason for you to get that high-paying, vital-to-national-security contractor job; You'd be exempt from recall. Plus, you need to build up an emergency fund for when I go on the lam and need a patsy to pay for my safehouse. And my silence. Hint, hint...
You can just sense it and taste it right now. The American empire is in "last throes". It's like a person hanging on a window ledge of a tall building, grasping and clawing to hang on, but you just know they're not gonna hang on. Will I extend a helping hand to it? Absolutely not. It deserves its fate.
Anonymous - This discussion is not about winning or losing. Unfortunately, we are now in a situation where nobody can win. One question is: Is it equitable or reasonable to require Zach or any other soldier who has done his tour in harm's way to go to Iraq again? I don't understand how it could be. He has done his service. There are just too many people here in the US who avow love for their country and support for the war who have done nothing. So another question is: Why don't they sign up to go there and fight. For example, why don't you? Why don't George Bush's daughters?
19 comments:
That’s truly horrible.
When will this administration realize that they are forcing troops to fight a loosing battle? Enough is enough!
Oh God Zach, it better not be you. Enough is enough. I don't know how to end this. I write, I called, nothing me as a little person does seems to matter. Just pray it doesn't happen to you. I continue to read your blog and check it daily.
Margie from New York
do you know how to say "no" ?
Man.. Saw that this morning and immedately came over here to check.. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you don't get drug back... The vacation pictures of smiling kinds with their dad definitely beat being stuck overseas again - to put it mildly! ;)
People want to get all "pissy" about the draft, but the country has three very distinct choices to make right now. Do we send people like Zach back for 3,4,5 and 6 tours of duty, do we draft and relieve people like Zach, or do we just get the heck out NOW. I have said that I strongly favor getting out NOW, but conversely just how fair is it to dump all the work on people like Zach if this debacle is allowed to continue? Without name calling and finger pointing, there is a national debate that needs to happen NOW. If we are not going to get out, the structure exists already within Selective Service. The 20 year olds are called up first followed by 21 and then up to 26, then they come back around to the 18 and 19 year olds. Each male that registers know that this risk exists and accepts it. Simply pointing fingers back and forth saying "Why don't you go?" doesn't solve the problem. Bush made the problem, but we as a people are gonna have to fix it. So how are we gonna do it?
-roamer in mich
I hope not!!! You have done served your time! I will keep my fingers crossed
Roamer in mich - I agree with what you said except that the next draft will include young women. I have two granddaughters and I am very uneasy about the thought of them being drafted for military service. I am equally uneasy about the thought of all the fine boys I've taught in high school being drafted. Now, after all the discussion about equality young women will be included. Interestingly, it would also mean that George Bush's daughters would be drafted. Some Americans have asked how it is that neither of them has been convinced enough by all their father's rhetoric to volunteer to fight for whatever it is we are fighting for in Iraq. I do wonder if Zach couldn't appeal a call up based on hardship because he has 2 children and he was away from them for so long. Of course a lot of other soldiers were, too. This killing and destruction has to stop.
naw. lets let zach and all the ole timers go back, 10, 27, 85 times tour of "duties". (duty. what kind of duty???) roamer, you re-uppin, guy?
ain't there anyone in usa can learn how to say "NO" to these leacherous, halliburton typer? DUH???????
Zach, like albaroz said, time to think about making the move up north here. Me and my family would help you out anyway we can. Just know if the time comes, you have friends here to help, I'm only an email away...
Kate MacKay
On reflection, I've decided that the only solution here is for the antiwar movement to grow so the war will end. I have trouble understanding why more people are not involved in some way but I'm afraid the reason may be that there is no draft and they think they will never be directly harmed by the Iraq War. I'm not sure what has to happen to make them understand that they really are being harmed right now.
Zachary,
Here is a challege for you:
"I've decided it's time to step up to the plate and publicly challenge the defeatists. Over a month ago, I published my explanation for why I believe that we're winning the war in Iraq and I now issue a challenge so listen up: prove me wrong. I'm willing to debate those who can present a logical explanation for why we're losing the war and should their explanation top mine I'm willing to admit my wrongs.
Here is my request; whenever you hear or read someone who thinks that the war in Iraq is going badly or being lost, send them to me. Put up a link to this post and tell them they better bring their "A" game."
http://bandit36.blogspot.com/2006/08/open-challenge.html
I dare you Zachary! Are you up to the challenge??????
In the interest of total accuracy it is important to clarify that the blogger who issued the afore mentioned challenge was NOT the party who placed it on this blog site - Anonymous is a very interested and unrelated THIRD PARTY! I would not wish it to be thought that Bandit 36 was responsible for selecting this site. And it was me and me alone who dared Zachary to accept the challenge and NOT the blogger who issued the challenge.
http://www.sirnosir.com/home_filmtrailers.html
Sir! No Sir is the wrong response, wrong war, wrong venue. I figured there was a snowballs chance in the warmer place that Zachary would accept the challenge. There is still time but he has to go to the blog in question and lay out his rational for defeat. Since he believes it there should be no problem unless he doesn't feel he can win.
Yet another reason for you to get that high-paying, vital-to-national-security contractor job; You'd be exempt from recall. Plus, you need to build up an emergency fund for when I go on the lam and need a patsy to pay for my safehouse. And my silence. Hint, hint...
yo zach attack,
you got your bdu's pressed? http://www.globaltruths.net/
yo roamer in mich. you goin too?
i have a question for the blogger hurria.
hurria, if you are not yet "collateral damage", would you like mr zach to return to your country?
thank you.
You can just sense it and taste it right now. The American empire is in "last throes". It's like a person hanging on a window ledge of a tall building, grasping and clawing to hang on, but you just know they're not gonna hang on. Will I extend a helping hand to it? Absolutely not. It deserves its fate.
Anonymous - This discussion is not about winning or losing. Unfortunately, we are now in a situation where nobody can win. One question is: Is it equitable or reasonable to require Zach or any other soldier who has done his tour in harm's way to go to Iraq again? I don't understand how it could be. He has done his service. There are just too many people here in the US who avow love for their country and support for the war who have done nothing. So another question is: Why don't they sign up to go there and fight. For example, why don't you? Why don't George Bush's daughters?
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