RE-EDITED FOR CLARIF. Just chatted w/Nat'l guardsman back from Iraq

[henslee]

He was an artillery supply guy, about 21 yrs old, stationed in Bagdad. He didn't get to handle much artillery because they have strict orders not to break out big guns -- only small arms. This is because they do not want to destroy any more buildings. He implied they are trying to nurture the rebirth of the infrastructure. And that so much had been destroyed already. He said he wished folks back home could see all the good being done there. And how most of the folks there like the Americans being there.

We spoke some more about actual combat... He told me he saw a little action but that marines saw the most) He went on to described a burned cd that was going around/assed around by the guys in Iraq. The CD had footage of a chain-gun (?) in action mowing down the enemy. He said it was incomprehensible -- body parts flying, guts exploding how much damage this gun did. He had a copy of it but it was confiscated upon his re turn.

He went on to describe that folks have so little there. That kids have no shoes. No pants. And he felt that we can never pull out. That he Iraqi people would be lost without us. He did mention that they were upset that rebuilding was taking so long.

[okieinpain]

1. sounds about right, and I haven't even been there.

[dogindia]

2. more of the soldiers thoughts need to be in the press

and brought to light.

[quiet.american]

3. I missed something....

So, where's the good? "Body parts flying, guts exploding...." :shrug:

[donco6]

4. Yea, I missed that part.

Was *that* the good thing?

[henslee]

7. I was jjust transcribing a random conversation. Nowhere did he say

flying body parts were a good thing. He was merely describing different things, randomly... in a conversation. No, he was not a war crazy grunt. Just a nice kid from upstate NY whose Dad was in Nam. He hopes to be an instructor of other guardsmen... because he felt he had a lot to offer after his tour... and that could help save some lives... He was concerned at how many inexperienced guardsmen get hurt or killed out of sheer stupidity and accidents. He was a great guy.

[leftchick]

5. I missed it as well

wtf? :puke:

[MsUnderstood]

6. I think the post needs clarification

1) America destroyed the buildings in bagdad so now we are using small guns against the enemy to keep the city intact.

2) The soldier CONFISCATED a CD of some bad footage which proves that it was a good thing that america is there because otherwise the footage would still be happening.

3) Even though we've been there for (how long now?) ever, the people there are still dirt poor and have no clothes. . .it isn't a war to start democracy, it is a war to provide clothing to those who are naked (okay that was sarcasm, I apologize).