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Last night I had dinner with a college buddy of mine who is in the army. He gets 1 week break and back to IRaq. He's a captain in MI and it's weird to hear any of these guy's theories.
Some think we are in IRaq for the terror war. When it's shown Saddam had too big of an ego to support someone such as bid laden (a real star among the wackos).
His company that he watches over deals with anything from logistics to how to control cities, and he swears on his life that we are in Iraq not for the terror war for America's sake but for Israel (didn't see that coming? hehe)

Officers around him, not most (actually who knows) have been led to believe this is part of the domino theory applied in the ME. With Iraq out, the only real saber rattler at the time supporting suicide bombers' families taken out; they felt Israel would be able to control the suicide attacks and stop the war going on.
He feels discouraged because he thinks, "why the fuck would a stupid war over religious belief ever stop?"
I mean if we all were uncivilized enough to fight each other dems and reps, it would never end, force isn't going to change peoples' minds just stop your opponent from arguing with you... <img src="/~stretch/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Their plans originally one year ago were for annexing (including making more bases in the ME) Iraq until summer of 2008. Now with Bush's plans he said (with heat from the public in US) the new plans are to withdraw "no matter what" a year from this thanksgiving.
So, I think listening to soldier's theories of why they are there should be taken with a grain of salt, that and the fact they need something to continue to give them drive to stay normal over there in that shit hole.
None of my buddies who met up with him think we are doing this for Israel, we laughed and gave him shit...Then again I live in Orange County, am an accountant, and my biggest worry is if I am making enough money for myself..(shrug)
So best wishes for the armed forces, I just don't think people who question why we are over in Iraq are unpatriotic or anti-american(muj or any other doves, they too are concerned over a soldier's well being). One thing that pissed me off with Bush (i voted for him) was 2 things he pushed through, decreased pay inceases in the armed forces, and instead of budgeting money towards armoring transportation vehicles, he put it towards the FX-22 or whatever the fuck plane it is... That is horse shit, and when people say wtf are we over there? They are saying it more or less why are we lettin gour guys die over there? What end goal? To end terror (that won't happen)? To protect our oil (that's cool, but protect our soldiers for christ's sake)?
Just seems to me Bush feels soldiers' lives are expendable, and I ain't down with turning my back on someone who chose to protect our country regardless of the times an follow orders.
I feel anti-americanism is the EU back with the old Franco-german influence (that's now ended) was anti-american, they gave shit to all american companies just to help themselves not the globalization of the markets. I feel individuals can be unpatriotic (Jacques Chirac). Because when a more open minded business director was appointed for EU over Chirac's buddy he threw a fit saying all kinds of shit.

My post didn't really have much to do with, "Here's proof I told you so!!" It was more for Muj who has been saying that he doesn't see any of the good we are doing there.
There are MANY layers and reasons why we are there and why we shouldn't be there. Again, that wasn't my point of posting. I can guarantee that every single one of us has our own opinions of why we are there and if it's acceptable or not. I was not trying to but a value or judgement on the post, other than it was another perspective from someone who is there and is seeing the struggle to bring the good out of it.

yea, I was encompassing one HUGE post for general. I just meant, I wrote my post after I read yours about you talking with your bro. that's all.
Pretty crazy to think I am dicking around drinking and shit and I got my buddy who worries most about driving in and out of some city. But, he stays positive.

actually this isnt true. The Bush administration has passed a wage increase which raises the average military persons wage over 1900$ which was passed in opposition to a proposed $1500 one time bonus to the active forces. i would rather have 1900$ a year over the existance of my stay than a one time 1500, I will get the actual factual reporting on this tonight and post it here. ( by the way i have family serving in Iraq too, GoD bless them for doing a job i couldn't do.)

Ah, ok. I heard some shit about the incremental increases were lowered. But maybe they were lowered to have a larger up front increase. Got to love spin...jesus go figure. All these half truths and shit

Thats right, I am always asking for GOOD from that place. And I can honestly tell you this, I am glad you posted that. Good read, happy to hear many people have aot more then they did.

I am very glad you posted that, the sad part is that Iraq is made out to be some hell hole, because it sells in the US. It's too bad that both sides of media do this and don't always show an accurate depiction.
While I disagree with the initial reasons for going to war and still disagree with being world police, I don't see how anyone can deny that what we have done has benefitted millions of people.