tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post1380217883336665628..comments2024-02-09T00:13:51.906-06:00Comments on Army of Dude: Dude!Alex Hortonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13729559701547002624noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-15788119838938945362007-11-12T10:38:00.000-06:002007-11-12T10:38:00.000-06:00Alex so many points to cover but in the name of ke...Alex so many points to cover but in the name of keeping it short. First and foremost thank you for your service. I too served during the cold war and it was always preached to us from our commanding officers on down that war is an evil thing and should be avoided and used as a last resort.<BR/><BR/>There is a situation afoot that is being ignored by the public at large and is unknown to you as well but suffice it to say that your sacrifice and that of your brothers is not as in vain as you might think. <BR/><BR/>Iraq is the corner stone to a group of nations (not of Middle East origin) that have a larger goal in mind, it is essential that what you did over there have been done to stop their plans for the future. Your sacrifice can in the end save tens of thousands of American lives and you may never even know what it is you have done.<BR/><BR/>Adjustment to the real world will be hard, hang on tight to the love of family it will see you through.<BR/><BR/>GOOD LUCK!<BR/><BR/>DonDon Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16905112718417347926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-24140599776407099222007-09-20T00:27:00.000-05:002007-09-20T00:27:00.000-05:00"That's the best analogy you could come up with? A..."That's the best analogy you could come up with? A hospital janitor asked to hook up an IV? <BR/><BR/>I see that you are still holding on to hope for our success in Iraq. Like the people expecting the rapture to happen any day now, when it doesn't happen, it's time for finger pointing."<BR/><BR/>Yes, it was the best i could do. Your response on the other hand was rather funny.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-84507481941836354982007-09-19T23:55:00.000-05:002007-09-19T23:55:00.000-05:00kolstad90 said... Dammit you have alot of good poi...<I><B>kolstad90 said...</B> <BR/>Dammit you have alot of good points about what i said. You are right, it is certainly our duty to speak up when we see stuff that is messed up. I suppose I think its our job as soldiers to present a united front so that we can we seem like an unstopable monolith to the enemy. But I know i run my mouth about shit I shouldnt as well. And I sure as hell like to debate politics and the conduct of the war.<BR/><BR/>And I really do wish this blog had more exposure then its already large following, cause despite me not liking the poltical aspects of your blog or the effect I think it has on soldier moral, not enough americans pay attention to the sacrifices of the guys on the line like you. </I><BR/><BR/>----------------------------<BR/><BR/>The Army is an employer. A professional soldier can have plenty going on upstairs, political or otherwise, but the job is still the same. Go where you're told to go, do what you were sent there to do. <BR/><BR/>I always had a chip on my shoulder about certain NCOs who would preach politics to us, basically calling me a pussy for my beliefs (which I didn't wear on my sleave, but it was like how rednecks would toss around "nigger" in mixed company up until...well, still to this day), this stupid hatred of Clinton over nothing but bullshit. Maybe it was the 'don't ask don't tell', but I really don't think it was that as much as this shit-for-brains mentality that somehow it was anti-American to be a liberal. <BR/><BR/>If the mission is bullshit, then telling the truth about how you feel isn't somehow disgracing yourself, your unit or the mission itself. What jeopardizes such things, such life-chunking endeavors, has absolutely nothing to do with you, Alex or any other single soldier doing their job over there. <BR/><BR/>And if anyone has EARNED the rights we're taking for granted most days, it's those who enlisted. <BR/><BR/>The patriotic mind-control is usefull for the suits who need the ants marching in a straight line somewhere, but it too must be earned. Cheney and Bush aren't royalty. They aren't good at their jobs, so Mesopotamia comes full circle on their account, from Hamurabi to this. A humanitarian crisis, only not a band of rape & pillage motherfuckers taking to villages with machine guns, torches and machettes...<BR/><BR/>Instead it's the most powerfull nation on earth, having botched the heist, now flailing, pushing buttons like crazy, pointing fingers, calling out other countries we can't steal from and get away with it either...going mega-coward and picking bombing targets of a country (Iran) we just need to leave alone. <BR/><BR/>It's a job. That hurts most once it sinks in, because after a couple months of people, tv, friends...it becomes clear that the war can't hold a candle to OJ Simpson or Britney Spears...I know I'm being harsh, but it's the truth. For those who leave more behind than they come home with, the lack of empathy can be devastating. Even years after its over with, it never is for them, and for the most part this country doesn't give a shit. <BR/><BR/>A rant - - - - ok, I'm going to get back to my normal PCP/Ayn Rand Wednesday night.Al Swearengenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714901316525776975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-19039457611134814682007-09-19T23:29:00.000-05:002007-09-19T23:29:00.000-05:00"I'll take the opinion of a low-ranked enlisted ov...<I> <BR/><B>"I'll take the opinion of a low-ranked enlisted over a general any day of the week. So will anybody else that has a clue of how to figure out what's what in a war. "<BR/></B><BR/><BR/>kolstad90 said...On what experinces exactly do you give Alex credit for that allow him to judge the success of the entire war effort? Can Alex talk informatively about, how to prep a breach charge, yep, how to fire a 203, yup, how to take orders from his team leader, yup, how to be a team leader, yup. However, dont expect him to know shit about, how to do his PLs job, how to do his CO's job. Does he keep track of whats going on in down at FOB Uniion, nope. Does he have a clue what forces are avail to shift from MND-B to help out in MND-N, nope not a clue.<BR/><BR/>I really dont think you want to ask the janitor at the hospital to start an IV, nor do you want him to do the open heart surgery on your gran dad, let alone you certainly dont want him to run the whole hospital.<BR/><BR/>Alex relating our battalions experince is Iraq is great. Him playing monday morning quarter back like the other reader suggested, is a bit of a strech. Alex trying to sabotage the war effort, even worse.</I><BR/><BR/>----------------------------<BR/><BR/>That's the best analogy you could come up with? A hospital janitor asked to hook up an IV? <BR/><BR/>I see that you are still holding on to hope for our success in Iraq. Like the people expecting the rapture to happen any day now, when it doesn't happen, it's time for finger pointing. All the sinners everywhere, God was too angry to come back now. <BR/><BR/>And so this form of dimentia, when it really gets wedged in there good, talk radio pounding it in deeper all the time like a hammer...well, you end up criticizing a war veteran for speaking his mind, <B>then the mental illness spikes up and before long, you're pointing the finger at the guy who fought in the war, blaming HIM for its failure...no doubt, along with the liberal media. </B><BR/><BR/>How honorable is that?Al Swearengenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714901316525776975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-42671686771059827852007-09-19T02:34:00.000-05:002007-09-19T02:34:00.000-05:00Damn, i could have answered my own question. Just...Damn, i could have answered my own question. Just looked at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_Shrugged and its got the cover art. I remember the story very well, but for some reason I thought the cover art u used had the globe, as shown on the amazon site.<BR/>http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Shrugged-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451191145kolstad90https://www.blogger.com/profile/03307831367150557426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-28054008502397709152007-09-19T02:20:00.000-05:002007-09-19T02:20:00.000-05:00And oh yes, I'm working on a new entry, not so pol...And oh yes, I'm working on a new entry, not so politically charged, about being home and how it feels. And it'll include the names of everyone who passed away in TF 5/20.<BR/><BR/>AHAlex Hortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729559701547002624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-25201216493508829952007-09-19T02:18:00.000-05:002007-09-19T02:18:00.000-05:00I appreciate that, given our disagreement over som...I appreciate that, given our disagreement over some matters. And yes, the globe was meant to be left out as part of a weird collection of Objectivist artwork for Atlas Shrugged and Rand's other novels. If it was bigger you could see see Atlas with his arms over his head, wondering what happened to the world.Alex Hortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729559701547002624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-60514982376206133162007-09-19T02:00:00.000-05:002007-09-19T02:00:00.000-05:00Dammit you have alot of good points about what i s...Dammit you have alot of good points about what i said. You are right, it is certainly our duty to speak up when we see stuff that is messed up. I suppose I think its our job as soldiers to present a united front so that we can we seem like an unstopable monolith to the enemy. But I know i run my mouth about shit I shouldnt as well. And I sure as hell like to debate politics and the conduct of the war.<BR/><BR/>And I really do wish this blog had more exposure then its already large following, cause despite me not liking the poltical aspects of your blog or the effect I think it has on soldier moral, not enough americans pay attention to the sacrifices of the guys on the line like you. <BR/><BR/>A question, is the globe purposefully removed from the Atlas Shrugged art work in your thumbnail?kolstad90https://www.blogger.com/profile/03307831367150557426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-91493700903601270432007-09-19T01:26:00.000-05:002007-09-19T01:26:00.000-05:00Uuuuuuuuuuuuugh.Monday morning quarterbacking my f...Uuuuuuuuuuuuugh.<BR/><BR/>Monday morning quarterbacking my fanny. Since that term exists, should everyone be free of critcism, all the time?<BR/><BR/>Give everyone a blank check, kolstad90 is here to tell it like it is! Apparently he's the only one on planet earth to be able to.<BR/><BR/>Go ahead, frontiersmen! Kill those Sioux! I'm in no position to say you're wrong for it!<BR/><BR/>Get your ass in that internment camp, Japanese Americans! Our government is always right, and to say otherwise is treasonous.<BR/><BR/>Stalin, you go boy! Since I don't sit at the head of a Russian dynasty, I can't really have the opinion that executing millions of your people is wrong.<BR/><BR/>Here's my point, crayola style. I never pointed out our faults after the fact, it was always in the heat of the moment. Working with 1920s, that's dumb. I said it was when it happened, and it'll bite us in the ass shortly. The surge just pushed fighers around Iraq. They went places that were better suited for them, like Diyala. Uh oh! Us getting hit almost every day for months was a result of that. No monday morning quarterbacking there, either. And here's the flipside to your point: You're in Charlie Co and stayed in Baghdad as we went north to Baqubah where we faced some harsh realities. Sure, you may think the war is going well as you sip chai in a Christian house while a chick in tight jeans winks at you. But while you were doing that, I was watching a teacher trying to put the brains of a kid back into his skull. We were begging to go back to Baghdad. And while I don't blame you for not coming up (it wasn't your decision or mine), you sure are quick to judge my outlook despite having no insight as to how I gained it. We heard you guys had a staggering reenlistment rate, something like 80%. Am I right? Ours is about 50%. My platoon alone is .5 guys away from being 50% itself. Hmm, a mystery. Can you honestly say we have that many fucked up, treasonus, hippie, left wing nutjob leaders, or we got a slap to the face in Baqubah?<BR/><BR/>Do I know more about counterinsurgency and massive troops movements and such and such than those appointed over me? No. And I never claimed to. But I expect there to be accountability for people whose job it is to figure out such things. <BR/><BR/>Have you ever said Bush or Clinton or Senator Whosit was dumb for something they said/did/din't do? Same. Damn. Principle.<BR/><BR/>AHAlex Hortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729559701547002624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-88724314364458523192007-09-19T00:59:00.000-05:002007-09-19T00:59:00.000-05:00"Alex trying to sabotage the war effort, even wors..."Alex trying to sabotage the war effort, even worse."<BR/><BR/>There are so many things wrong and ignorant with this statement I don't even know where to begin. Your feeble attempt at recounting not only Alex’s opinion, but on the war in general, is embarrassing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-84524955390359978182007-09-18T23:35:00.000-05:002007-09-18T23:35:00.000-05:00"I'll take the opinion of a low-ranked enlisted ov..."I'll take the opinion of a low-ranked enlisted over a general any day of the week. So will anybody else that has a clue of how to figure out what's what in a war. "<BR/><BR/>On what experinces exactly do you give Alex credit for that allow him to judge the success of the entire war effort? Can Alex talk informatively about, how to prep a breach charge, yep, how to fire a 203, yup, how to take orders from his team leader, yup, how to be a team leader, yup. However, dont expect him to know shit about, how to do his PLs job, how to do his CO's job. Does he keep track of whats going on in down at FOB Uniion, nope. Does he have a clue what forces are avail to shift from MND-B to help out in MND-N, nope not a clue.<BR/><BR/>I really dont think you want to ask the janitor at the hospital to start an IV, nor do you want him to do the open heart surgery on your gran dad, let alone you certainly dont want him to run the whole hospital.<BR/><BR/>Alex relating our battalions experince is Iraq is great. Him playing monday morning quarter back like the other reader suggested, is a bit of a strech. Alex trying to sabotage the war effort, even worse.kolstad90https://www.blogger.com/profile/03307831367150557426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-28891421343300753712007-09-18T03:18:00.000-05:002007-09-18T03:18:00.000-05:00I am very torn after reading a bit of this blog. F...<B>I am very torn after reading a bit of this blog. First, I absolutely salute the sacrifice of this soldier and for wearing the uniform and answering the call.<BR/><BR/>What I do not like is twofold: The first is a seemingly smug outlook that you actually know better how to do things than those who have spent a lifetime in the military and two, that most of the poeple posting comments buy right into one.</B><BR/><BR/>You're comparing him with who? A General? Command Sergeant Major? <BR/><BR/>How is it so easy to judge the opinions of a war veteran? To categorize such a considerable chunk of work here on the site in the way that you have, is the opposite of a salute...which would be the middle finger I suppose. <BR/><BR/>You don't think he's got a brain between his ears, and you think his readers don't either. <BR/><BR/>We're all brainwashed by a blog. Who knew it was that simple? Indeed, let's cue up what the Generals have been saying about Iraq since 2003...they're telling the truth. Afterall, they've been in the military for so long...perhaps they've just hit a string of bad luck, right? You figure they're due by now? About to be right about something? <BR/><BR/>I'll take the opinion of a low-ranked enlisted over a general any day of the week. So will anybody else that has a clue of how to figure out what's what in a war. <BR/><BR/>Because 20+ years in uniform provides a man a lot of things, but mostly it gets them prepared to carry out bullshit policies with a smile on their face. When the suits ask you about how the policy is playing on the ground - 20 years in uniform will make you a good liar. A nice blast shield. A pincushion. Carrying out one clusterfuck after the next...hey, maybe after 3 more years of S&M slavery to these suits, if he lies extra good, they'll make him Army Secretary...fancy desk, smart people left and right...<BR/><BR/>Anyways...fuck you pal. Go judge someone who hasn't just finished a 15 month hitch in hell. How about you go and judge some of the EXPERIENCED military folk who predicted the opposite of what happened this whole time. Or shine their shoes, whatever...<BR/><BR/>Just understand that you're a douchebag - not for your beliefs, ideas, opinions - but for the fact that you had to attack this guy. You couldn't help yourself. <B>Oh...of course, you threw in the obligatory/bullshit "I absolutely salute the sacrifice of this soldier and for wearing the uniform and answering the call."</B><BR/><BR/>Right.Al Swearengenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00714901316525776975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-75154554158598402272007-09-18T00:08:00.000-05:002007-09-18T00:08:00.000-05:00"you presume to much.you obviously prefer authorit..."you presume to much.<BR/><BR/>you obviously prefer authority, so why haven't you joined the military?<BR/><BR/>or are you a military toady?<BR/><BR/>where are you in the private sector?<BR/><BR/>got money?"<BR/><BR/>I was in the USMC, although a few years back. In the private sector and yes, I have money. <BR/><BR/>Any other questions?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-44702356133683067182007-09-17T16:20:00.000-05:002007-09-17T16:20:00.000-05:00And an unsolicited piece of advice: Don't Feed th...And an unsolicited piece of advice: Don't Feed the Trolls. In English, this means don't engage those who are here for a pissing match. As you continue to blog, especially about such emotional subjects, you are going to be called out for fights, repeatedly. Pick those skirmishes wisely. Some people use the intert00bz just to get their argue on...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-52208989262154093082007-09-17T16:10:00.000-05:002007-09-17T16:10:00.000-05:00Alex- My hat is off to you. Thank you for not kee...Alex- My hat is off to you. Thank you for not keeping your 'emo mouth' shut.<BR/><BR/>I am so tired of hearing 'Support the Troops' from the same people who are extending rotations, denying equipment, and treating the soldiers who have returned like they are disposable.<BR/><BR/>I can only hope that you continue blogging and bringing the experience of a soldier to those of us who are not. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-52815537525657885942007-09-17T10:18:00.000-05:002007-09-17T10:18:00.000-05:00Welcome back Alex! Thought you might enjoy this.....Welcome back Alex! Thought you might enjoy this...<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/9/15/1433958/Y'all%20Chickenhawks%20to%20Me%20-%20by%20Elmo.mp3" REL="nofollow">Y'all Chickenhawks to Me - by Elmo (MP3)</A><BR/><BR/>(If you have trouble with the link right click and "save target as")Elmohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09406957781233956580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-91219089766577884702007-09-16T23:38:00.000-05:002007-09-16T23:38:00.000-05:00"What I do not like is twofold: The first is a see..."What I do not like is twofold: The first is a seemingly smug outlook that you actually know better how to do things than those who have spent a lifetime in the military and two, that most of the poeple posting comments buy right into one."<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>you presume to much.<BR/><BR/>you obviously prefer authority, so why haven't you joined the military?<BR/><BR/>or are you a military toady?<BR/><BR/>where are you in the private sector?<BR/><BR/>got money?<BR/><BR/>are you ready to HARVEST yet?<BR/><BR/>get ready.twshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08190299248636828302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-40283044915868708462007-09-16T19:27:00.000-05:002007-09-16T19:27:00.000-05:00good stuff dude...somehow reminds me of my departu...good stuff dude...<BR/><BR/>somehow reminds me of my departure from phu bai then cam ranh bay in 1972.<BR/><BR/>geeeeez what a relief.<BR/><BR/>now you know war/politics same same.<BR/><BR/>drive on<BR/><BR/>tws<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.theworriedshrimp.com//DeficitDubya133.html" REL="nofollow">an army of dudes</A>twshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08190299248636828302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-53031857644144401672007-09-16T07:10:00.000-05:002007-09-16T07:10:00.000-05:00Man, I was hoping to see a post from you by now ab...Man, I was hoping to see a post from you by now about coming home, so I could be sure you made it. Let us know how you are, hey?Avedonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04702100335744054401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-17309035023887037232007-09-15T14:40:00.000-05:002007-09-15T14:40:00.000-05:00I am very torn after reading a bit of this blog. ...I am very torn after reading a bit of this blog. First, I absolutely salute the sacrifice of this soldier and for wearing the uniform and answering the call.<BR/><BR/>What I do not like is twofold: The first is a seemingly smug outlook that you actually know better how to do things than those who have spent a lifetime in the military and two, that most of the poeple posting comments buy right into one.<BR/><BR/>You admittedly have a very narrow looking glass operations-wise at the way the war has been conducted but make some pretty sweeping judgments of the conduct of the war and military leadership. What you've seen fits your particular political outlook but please don't assume that one piece of the puzzle makes up the entire picture.<BR/><BR/>I do have a piece of advice for you as you transition into civilian life and move forward into the work world. The private sector is full of bottom rung workers who are absolutely convinced that they're actually smarter than their bosses and that the only reason they are the boss is because they are butt-kissers or lucky. I think you'll mostly find your bosses are there because they are smarter and more experience than you and you need to learn to live with it and earn your way. Perhaps your outlook as a soldier does not reflect your civilian outlook on life, but I doubt it.<BR/><BR/>I noticed that you make a very fine Monday morning quarterback. It's easy to attack one bad mistake by someone in charge because you weren't in a position to make those decisions where one bad day gets soldiers killed. That's the beauty of being a critic, the people you don't like only have to be wrong once for you to feel validated.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, your service is honorable and you obviously have a very proud family and friends. I don't agree with many of the big picture conclusions you've reached from individual experience, but that's your right as a citizen and a soldier.<BR/><BR/>I applaud your service and hope you return safely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-5029177882346315292007-09-15T12:36:00.000-05:002007-09-15T12:36:00.000-05:00Fuck, I know they bleed. I cried when I heard abou...Fuck, I know they bleed. I cried when I heard about Sgt. Higgins. I mentioned him before but not by name. He was a good dude. So was Captain Jensen, and I felt wrecked when he was paralyzed and even more so when he died just recently. But I do not go into detail about them and the rest for two reasons: I wasn't there when it happened, and I don't want to dishonor their memory by giving the false impression I knew them well. I didn't. I just knew Chevy and Jesse Williams and miss them very much. I miss the other guys to an extent that they were with day in and day out and aren't anymore. But I don't want to pretend it was anything more than that."<BR/><BR/>Fair enough. Their is no doubt that what you experinced is as hard as it gets. And although I am trashing your intentions for commenting on the poltical aspects of our unit experince in Baqubah. i do not doubt that you fought your ass off and give the fight your all. You certainly have the right to push whatever view you want.kolstad90https://www.blogger.com/profile/03307831367150557426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-25874405181323539972007-09-15T12:31:00.000-05:002007-09-15T12:31:00.000-05:00Winning wars and battles has alot to do with break...Winning wars and battles has alot to do with breaking the enemies will to fight. Your will to fight has been broken, your blog undermines the will of the US and its soldiers to fight. You think your experince provides you will the knowledge to declare our effort as a failure. I wonder how you would have spun your blog if you can spent the whole tour at FOB Marez.<BR/><BR/>Just because our unit experinced what it did in Baqubah, we dont have special insight into the larger picture for the rest of Iraq. And i hope rational people understand how limited of a picture those of us at the Battalion level can provide them.<BR/><BR/>And i also hope people recognize that the pictures you paint come from someone that hopes to boloster his politcal cause. With statesments like "perpetually delirious officials like General Petreaus" and "Since Dick Cheney can now afford solid gold oil derricks, it’s safe to say we failed Ike miserably. " It should be clear.kolstad90https://www.blogger.com/profile/03307831367150557426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-40027406125632402542007-09-15T12:20:00.000-05:002007-09-15T12:20:00.000-05:00Fuck, I know they bleed. I cried when I heard abou...Fuck, I know they bleed. I cried when I heard about Sgt. Higgins. I mentioned him before but not by name. He was a good dude. So was Captain Jensen, and I felt wrecked when he was paralyzed and even more so when he died just recently. But I do not go into detail about them and the rest for two reasons: I wasn't there when it happened, and I don't want to dishonor their memory by giving the false impression I knew them well. I didn't. I just knew Chevy and Jesse Williams and miss them very much. I miss the other guys to an extent that they were with day in and day out and aren't anymore. But I don't want to pretend it was anything more than that.<BR/><BR/>AHAlex Hortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729559701547002624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-18950385531985229732007-09-15T12:13:00.000-05:002007-09-15T12:13:00.000-05:00Wow dude, I was trying to be civil but apparently ...Wow dude, I was trying to be civil but apparently that is lost on you. You have a fantastic view of me it seems, someone who wants to surrender in the face of enemies. I fought out there for the life of my friends and we got out of some hairy situations. When did I advocate any kind of surrender? I'm not a raging anti-war super hippie. I agree with the war in Afghanistan but not this one, because it had nothing to do with terrorism at large. The enemies you speak of, they're just country bumpkins attacking us because of the simple fact we're here. Did you ever talk to someone in the 1920s? They are convinced we're there to make Iraq a colony and were deathly afraid of it. They realized that we didn't want to be there as much as they didn't but it was pretty much against our will. Read the reports. Al Qaeda makes up a very tiny portio of insurgent attacks in Iraq. The insurgency is overwhelmingly being fought by locals of Iraq and neighboring countries because they see us as a threat to their land. I can't say that I blame them, but that doesn't mean I gave them any compassion when we made contact. We killed them with as much ferocity as they had and I'm proud to say how efficiently we conducted ourselves against such a unconventional enemy.<BR/><BR/>To say my blog emboldens the enemy is a joke. The enemy emboldens the enemy. These people have no qualms with driving a car loaded with bombs into a CF checkpoint or vehicle. Their will to fight, therefore, is much stronger than anyone I know. They're out there for years just for the opportunity to kill an American or Iraqi collaborator. If you had the same will, you would have signed up to continue your deployment with 2CR. For such a fervent supporter, I'm surprised you didn't.<BR/><BR/>AHAlex Hortonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13729559701547002624noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26907684.post-35440592526185033062007-09-15T12:06:00.000-05:002007-09-15T12:06:00.000-05:00"On a final note, I would like to add all the name..."On a final note, I would like to add all the names of the fallen from our battalion but I have to gather the names first as to not misspell anything. I'm trying to think of a way to write something to honor them, but it's very difficult to approach a subject we're all very emotional about."<BR/><BR/>Cool, in my bitching i posted a link to a picture of our BN plaque that we hung on the TOC. If you need a pic use that one. It doesnt inlcude CPT Jensen, since he died of wounds after it was made.<BR/><BR/>"This is what I saw, and my main gripe is how inadequate the size of our force was to conduct clearing operations that the higher officers knew was coming but still had no foresight into the logistical headache such a force would go through."<BR/><BR/>Yes they saw it. Despite what you may think higher ups arent idiots. And until the surge was fully in, they didnt have anyone to send to help us. If the anti war crowd had had its way and the surge never happened, AH Ripper might not ever have happened. Can you imagine June 19th to the end of august with out all the extra help. That would have sucked bad.<BR/><BR/>"HHC isn't a line company. Bronco 1/14 is not a line company. Apache and Bonecrusher 1/12, not line companies." They might not fit your definition of "line companies" but they bleed just like your company. You put down their contribution to the fight when you claim only two companies cleared baqubah.<BR/><BR/>If i came across as leering about your perspective, wow, you just really pissed me off. No excuse, sorry.kolstad90https://www.blogger.com/profile/03307831367150557426noreply@blogger.com