Not to be pro-war or anti-war, but if we are remembering the Americans that have been killed, it's a good idea to remember everyone, Iraqi or otherwise, who have lost their lives in this war. There are many innocent people who die in war.

I'm happy my brother made it home alive; both times he was sent there.

Ditto to Andrea. They have lived through a hell none of us could imagine. Shock and awe doesn't work and now we have no choice but to stay since nobody has a way out.

How about all the of the soldiers, civilians, etc. who have been seriously injured?

Oh, the thousands and thousands of civilians that died due to the Iraq war? Those folk are just collateral damage!

Just incase anyone cares… (http://icasualties.org)

American Deaths
Since war began (3/19/03):3990
In combat:3263
Since "Mission Accomplished" (5/1/03):3851
In combat: 3155
Since Capture of Saddam (12/13/03):3529
In combat: 2957
Since Handover (6/29/04):3131
In combat: 2630
Since Election (1/31/05):2553
In combat: 2367

Officially Injured: 29395
Estimated Injured: 23000 - 100,000

Other Coalition Troops:308
US Military Deaths - Afghanistan:487
Iraqi civilian deaths: 1,189,173

mae- "Countless" is the best way to put it because all of the current estimations are highly disputed.
Here's one of the more credible figures:
"One study, published by the Lancet medical journal in October 2006, suggested that about 655,000 people had died in Iraq as a result of the 2003 invasion."
…but it is still impossible to gather the information accurately.

"Since “Mission Accomplished” (5/1/03):3851
In combat: 3155"

This knotted my stomach.

mae- How did they get that figure of the Iraqi civilian deaths? The authorities do not record the number of civilian losses sustained…
Anyhow, I fucking hate reality.

Which of the candidates has the best plan for ending this madness?

"…It is at least 10 times greater than most estimates cited in the US media, yet it is based on a scientific study of violent Iraqi deaths caused by the U.S.-led invasion of March 2003.

That study, published in prestigious medical journal The Lancet, estimated that over 600,000 Iraqis had been killed as a result of the invasion as of July 2006. Iraqis have continued to be killed since then. The graphic above provides a rough daily update of this number based on a rate of increase derived from the IBC.

The estimate that over a million Iraqis have died received independent confirmation from a prestigious British polling agency in September 2007. Opinion Research Business estimated that 1.2 million Iraqis have been killed violently since the US invasion."

Sug, not McCain.

I wish someone could take that recent song Bush sang as a joke and add clips of the casualties. He's farking hilarious. And then I wish we could make him eat that stupid banner.

Obviously not McCain.
Obama and Clinton aren't getting to the point. They can't be pragmatic or they will spook America.
Still, if you care, you want to vote for a Democrat.

Compare the Candidates

http://www.thebostonchannel.co.....index.html

Side note:
McCain just proves he's so amped up to goto war AND HE DOESN'T EVEN KNOW WHO THE ENEMY IS!

(CNN) – The Democratic National Committee seized on John McCain's apparent gaffe while discussing Iran Tuesday, saying it raises questions whether the Arizona senator "can be trusted to offer a clear way forward."

The misstep in question occurred during a news conference in Jordan earlier Tuesday, when the presumptive Republican presidential nominee repeatedly said Iran was supplying al Qaeda. Iran is predominately a Shiite country and is not aiding the Sunni dominated Al-Qaeda.

McCain ultimately corrected himself after Sen. Joe Lieberman whispered in his ear.

"I'm sorry, the Iranians are training extremists, not al Qaeda. I am sorry," the Arizona senator said.

i'm a soldier in baghdad right now and contrary to popular opinion, we want peace. most of us sit in silence at bad decisions and mistakes that are made - that WE must ultimately pay for…but it's our job to serve and we try to do it honorably.

every day we walk on unfamiliar land and sleep under unfamiliar stars…and we know that at ANY time, regardless of where we are stationed, big base or small combat out post, we can be killed in an instant.

we also have no idea how this will end - when this will end. but what we do know is we need your support and we need to know people are thinking of us. People say they support the troops - but HOW are you supporting us?

Do something tangible to help. It truly does wonders. You would be surprised how appreciative hardened soldiers can be.

Staff Sgt C:
Any suggestions?

oh and cord - love the blog…i look forward to reading it when my chain of command leaves for the day! You're endlessly entertaining - in all of your sarcasm and dry humor. Thank you for that!

CORD! A STAFF SERGEANT READS YOUR BLOG!
COOL!

yea…lot's of places to help! There is a nice long list of non-profit (true non-profits, not ripoffs!)organizations that support troops and their families in hundreds of different ways. The website is http://www.americasupportsyou.mil - dependent on how you want to help - the injured, families of the fallen, families at home, soldiers deployed - whatever it is, there is a group who can use it!

Thanks for asking!

Staff Sergeant C, do the troops really get excited when mediocre celebrities come to entertain you all?

I'd also like to support the troops by voting for the candidate who has a clear plan to safely bring them home.

But I also want to know if Jessica Simpson brought Ken Paves with her to Iraq?

Staff Sergeant: God bless you and all the men and women caught up in this horrible mess. While I don't favor the war, I certainly support the troops. May you all come home safely and come home SOON.

haha, that's so funny! well, truthfully I guess we appreciate it…we're starved for attention out here so you also have to consider that! We love Robin William, though, because he is always right on point! Next time, Wilmer Valderamma can stay home tho!

wilmer can stay home. LOVES IT. god bless our troops from this army brat.

I say the same thing everytime I see Wilmer.

It's such a relief to get a perspective from someone in combat!
PS
I didn't say this because I didn't want to state the obvious… but what you do is so laudable. And I'm sorry Wilmer visited you. That's more a slap in the face.

Listen people…I've got some time tonight…got any more questions? I'll be candid - this is my second tour so I think I have a fairly healthy perspective. This is just more evidence of our boredom at times :)

Do the soldiers spend much time talking about the politics of the war?

Oh great. Cords going to get a man crush on Staff sergeant and he'll get a Commie™. I just want to know if you own some kind of scarf?

staff sergeant- wishing you and all soldiers safely home soon!

Or like pancakes.

we talk about it sporadically. it's a fairly heated debate so it's kept to a minimum. over chow typically the conversation turns that way because we have Fox News blaring in the background so inevitably it's about the war or something Pres. B is saying.

mostly, we find it interesting that pundits do a lot of talking but have very little, if any, "boots on the ground" experience. that's incredily frustrating! we do talk about what will happen if there is a sudden withdrawal and most agree it won't be good. it's so volatile right now…it feels we are making progress with the Sons of Iraq strategy but it could be that we are simply funding and arming people who will turn on us at any time. I realize you probably don't know what the Sons of Iraq is…but a quick google search will explain it.

bottom line is: we're sick of being here time and time again — we're tired of our friends dying — but we fear losing ground if we do leave. because, don't we have an obligation to make sure the soldiers that did die didn't die in vain?

it's so complex…

staff sergeant c-do you get to drink booze? I mean, if you wanted to, could you?

i heart you, ssc

red sox or yankees?

Was the scarf comment for me? I got one during my first tour (03'-04') but not this time. I'm not sure the Iraqis appreciate what we do with them. They were them as headdress and we wear them like we're walking down Robertson!

i would go ape shit if i had fox news blaring in the background everyday.

Here is an article I found, if anybody is interested.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/.....f_iraq.php

I would say after Al Queda that fear is justfified.

I think one of the things that angers me is all the talk about winning. No matter what happens everyone who goes over there or who lives there will be forever changed. There is so much loss can there really be a, "win"?

And it will never end because there are always going to be terrorists. In no way do I want to imply that we shouldn't fight against terrorisim. I just don't think the idea that if we win in Iraq it will make us safer, is true.

There is some change for the better there and I don't want to take away from that. But it's not permanent.

Yes, the scarf comment was for you. That made me spew the diet coke. There have been quite a few posts on the scarf. Perhaps you've read a few. Cord seems to like them and so does Colin Ferrel.

Wait… what the hell? Why do you watch Fox "news" all day? Do the troops really trust their broadcasts?
Shit. I have to go help my friend get ready for her birthday party, but it was nice talking to you. (That is the first time I truly meant that.)
Thank you!

Drinking…well, some soldiers get it and drink for sure. That almost always ends up badly. For example, a few soldiers were drinking while on guard duty - the female got pretty hammered so the male soldier she was hooking up with (during duty) put her in the humvee to take her to her hooch. While he was driving, she somehow fell out of the vehicle and he ran over her without knowing it. He claimed he thought he ran over a "speed bump". She laid there until she died. Alone. On the sand. In Iraq. All because of alcohol. I love me some alcohol but this is not the place for it. Every soldier here carries around at minimum 120 rounds of ammunition for their M16, M4, or M9. With emotions flying high, depression common among us, alcohol and machine guns should not be in the same room.

Holy bazooka…

Well…you just have to see our Commander in Chief to realize why Fox News is the most common newscast shown in common areas in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

And no…not all of us like it, though I'm sure some do. My eyes usually hurt from rolling them so much after an hour of listening to Bill O'Reilly talk about how he's "looking out for me".

Yea, thanks Bill. Remind me to send you a loufa in appreciation.

OK.
One more question…
Do you get frustrated with the apathy of the masses?
Do you feel people are thinking about the crisis enough?

Previous Poem - Next Poem

from
The Drum
by John Scott 1730-17

I hate that drum's discordant sound,
Parading round, and round, and round:
To thoughtless youth it pleasure yields,
And lures from cities and from fields,
To sell their liberty for charms
Of tawdry lace and glitt'ring arms;
And when Ambition's voice commands,
To fight and fall in foreign lands.

I hate that drum's discordant sound,
Parading round, and round, and round:
To me it talks of ravaged plains,
And burning towns and ruin'd swains,
And mangled limbs, and dying groans,
And widow's tears, and orphans moans,
And all that Misery's hand bestows,
To fill a catalogue of woes.

Nothing is new….the beat remains the same.

SSC: Can I put in a loofah order for Ann Coulter?

holy shit that is a sad sad story!!

Yes, I was just home on leave for two weeks and there is definitely a disconnect as a whole. But truly, can we blame people for feeling tired and weary? Soldiers have to be careful to remember that although our lives are insanely chaotic and full of commotion and sacrifice, not everyone is mindful of that. And when we think they should be, and they're not, we get angry and disappointed because we think "do you know what my life is like?"; "do you know what I am going back to?". I feel that alot at the airport because I look at people and wonder where they are traveling and I look up at the tv screen and see where I'm headed…and it's usually footage of mass carnage or death sprinkled over a beige landscape.

It's too much to ask Americans to empathize with us on a daily basis because they have their own set of problems to deal with…and after five years (six in Afghanistan) and close to a trillion dollars, who could blame them?

I'm happy to have served even if I had to give up a lot….because I have perspective and an appreciation that otherwise, I wouldn't have. I'm grateful for that.

Actually hold the loofa for AC…I'm sure I'll have ammo left over. I've gotcha covered buddy.

Staff Sargeant: Will you say how old you are?

Seriously, that is so tacky, Elle.

ssc: you rock. That is all.

No. 50 staff sergeant c says:

Actually hold the loofa for AC…I’m sure I’ll have ammo left over. I’ve gotcha covered buddy.

If that doesn't scream Top Honors for next week's Commies™ I don't know what does!

Elle- That was inappropriate.

Grossly inappropriate. To the Thunderdome with you! Hags, get the Lions ready to feast!

I would love to give my age but I fear they monitor these things! I graduated high school in 1994. How's that?

I'm saving my loofah treatment for Elle and E for their lame ads.

I wish we could hear more from the soldiers perspective. I think we do get that disconnect from listening to the politicians and O Reilley's out there. It's really hard to focus when you want to punch your tv.

I also think a lot depends on where you live as well. Being in Texas, the land of Bush. Ha, I said Bush. The perspective of the local news is going to be different than somewhere like New York.

Rumple is ready, mae.

Yeah, I agree with juju.

But I live in a pretty blue state and even the "pull everyone one out right now" thing gets pretty lame too.

That's all anyone can come up with?

Staff Sergeant C- I have to say that this is way way more interesting than processing invoices and creating spreadsheets…and it's incredibly awesome to hear from someone who's actually there. What do you guys eat? Do you receive random packages from strangers? I just went on that website you provided above…

Well, surprisingly for a bunch of soldiers they gain weight during deployment because there is SO MUCH food! Most of us have access to three meals a day, though some soldiers on smaller bases do not. There's this drink, much like red bull, called Rip It. Those are a hot commodity! They keep us going when we're tired!

As for packages, sometimes a letter or note will come as well as a package from a non-profit. We love that! More than anything, even making phone calls and trolling the internet, we LOVE getting mail!!! It makes even the oldest, most bitter soldier smile!

I've just been reading this entire thread, and it's great that you're giving us a little insight.

Stay stafe, SSC.

Yes, stay safe.

when my best friend's husband and brother were in iraq, we used to send them care packages all the time. her mom sent them pink loofahs. they weren't thrilled with pink loofahs.

I would write letters, but honestly i haven't wrote my adopted daughter in 5 years so i'm not exactly the best, most reliable letter writer in the world. *sigh*

You are so right ….

http://lifeisacookie.wordpress.....ars-later/

I want to reiterate what ManBearPig said (ps- LOVE that name!)

I am much less educated about politics and the war than you other hags but it is always intriguing (sp?) to hear insight like this.

Stay safe.

SSC- Really! Maybe its because on one of the websites they list beef sausage and lots of chocolate (is says-even melted)as things to send. I will send dexitrim and thighmasters instead…

Can you guys/girls go out? Are there street vendors?

It also says no pornography, no pork products and no alcohol…

go out? street vendors? is that a joke? surely, you cannot be serious LLL

I swear swear swear they have shown soldiers eating at street vendors in Iraq. Swear! That's why I was asking. It seemed so absurd. And in books–stories of people eating at hotel restaurants that serve hamburgers.

Street vendor sounds like a career you'd want to stay away from in a war zone. But, you never know.

Yes, please send some dexatrim and Smooth Move herbal tea :) There are some fatties over here unfortunately and it really makes me mad! But you know, chow hall food (food cooked for the masses) can't be reliably healthy, no matter what you choose. Even the grilled chicken breasts are soaked in oil. Sigh.

And no, we can't really go out. It's far too dangerous and we just don't know who we can trust. Soldiers are killed on patrol in markets all the time from snipers and suicide bombers. It's just that safe here yet.

We do add to the local Iraqi economy at the "Haji" shops on base. They are local Iraqi vendors who are screened and allowed to sell various products to GI's. We can get movies for very cheap! I bought the entire Cheers series for 20 bucks! There sell fake Rolex's, Nike's, even computer software…

When we do go out and speak to local leaders, we are treated to Chai tea and hummus…which is a sign of respect if you partake. And I'm telling you, Iraqis love to entertain. That's a form of respect from them to us.

Obviously, the soldiers depicted did not just fight a battle and go out for hot wings and beer. It seemed like they were deployed in a more diplomatic sense. That they were trying to restore order, or problem solve, or something. Anyway there was a kabob (or something like that) scene.

Everyone keeps talking about the innocent people and soldiers that have died. What about the 100's of thousands that were killed and put in mass graves in Iraq under Saddam Hussain? Don't pretend to care about the Iraqis who have died when you don't realize that it is bad in Iraq but not near as bad as it used to be.

Let me clarify - SOME soldiers do partake from vendors in VERY SECURE AREAS….cities or villages where we have successfully uprooted al Qaeda OR Iraqi insurgents. In those areas, we are fairly confident nothing will happen…but it's ALWAYS a possibility as suicide bombers look like everyday people in the marketplace. The thing is, if we don't go to those places occasionally and mingle with the people out of fear for our safey, how are we supposed to communicate to the Iraqis that we are making progress in their area? Does that make sense? Meaning, if we won't go out, how can we expect the average Iraqi to go out? This is so much more than just about firefights and everyday patrols; we have to work with these people, show them we truly do care, and gain their trust so they will give us valuable intell about known bad guys in their neighborhoods. This isn't just nation building; it's also relationship building.

Thanks for telling us how we feel nospam. Maybe in return you could stop pretending to care about the people who died before the war to justify the deaths and destruction now. Fair trade?

I've been to Iraq BEFORE this war. Have you?

nospam have you ever heard the phrase "two wrongs don't make a right"

Senseless carnage is senseless carnage.

What the hell does that matter? You can't care because you haven't been somewhere? You can't have compassion for another human unless you've seen where they live?

Maybe I haven't been to Iraq but I have been to other countries where the people are suffering and the government is corrupt. Should I make a list so I can be as good as you and then I can be allowed to have feelings?

actually nospam, you have a point but it can be argued that it's not that much better right now. it is on the way to being better…but the reason more Iraqis haven't been killed is because we are here. When and if we leave, if we leave the way it is now, all hell will break lose and the number of dead Iraqis will be unfathomable.

I am not saying it wasn't terrible under Saddam; quite the opposite actually. I personally visited mass graves up North where I saw hundreds of remains unearthed — all innocent Iraqis killed by Saddam for no reason.

It's a different kind of bad now, however…Saddam's hatred and cruelty was kinda focused, if that makes sense. Meaning most Iraqis knew what bothered him and what to stay away from. Now, the violence is so random and so unpredictable, some argue it's worse for that reason.

Thanks, SeriousStyle.

Wow, nospam, way to one-up people by saying you've been there. Wtf?

That makes a lot of sense. Do you feel that there are many Iraqi's who want to invest in a more democratic form of government than they had previously? Are they hopeful?

The worst part is that I can never eat spam again. It's completely ruined for me now.

I think they do but we're learning that we must also take their lead instead of leading them where we want them to go. As a result, there is progress being made. They need, and want, leadership at all levels in their society but it's a very different way of life over here and can't mirror our government set up. I don't want to speak too much about this for fear I am speaking without full-scale knowledge…but if you'd like a basic understanding of the political and historical foundation of Iraq, I suggest going here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17722026

Richard Engel has spent about 5 years here - continually - and there he breaks it down for us to understand more easily. It's not really an opinion as it is a history lesson.

Staff Sgt. C - just want to chime in and say thanks for all that you do. My husband's unit was deployed last year and due to some medical circumstances (mine) he was allowed to stay home. We were in constant contact with his guys, but I guess they were in a really secure location because their experience seems to be much different from yours.

Your stories are fascinating, and I'm glad you had some time to spend today sharing them. Please stay safe, and we hope you come home soon.

I'm sorry I missed this conversation! SSC, you've said some things that will stay in my thoughts for a very long time. Not being from the States, I don't have any family members or friends who are in Iraq so sometimes it's hard to feel personally attached to the soldiers who are there sacrificing so much. We don't hear the stories or the details… I'm so glad you stuck around to answer these questions. Stay safe, and seriously, what you have said will be in my thoughts.

SSC, I logged on to late to talk to you, but I want you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you. Thank you so much for giving us your perspective. I wish we could talk more directly with the soldiers and not deal with media slant, or worse, the media ignoring Iraq due to the election. I hope the war ends soon, that there is a sensible solution, and you come home safe!

I just resent the sentiment that we in some way caused all of these Iraqi deaths. Most of the Iraqi deaths are Iraqi on Iraqi sectarian violence and was going on at worse rates during the Hussein regime. We're talking stacks of dead bodies by the thousands in unmarked mass graves. But, isn't it just easier to have a coffee at Starbucks and watch American Idol then worry about the world. Interesting that everyone looks at Kosovo and our help in Bosnia as shining moments of US operations but because it's a little more difficult this time and a little more painful, this war is seen as a failure. Enjoy your lattes.

hey you all, it was nice to "chat" with you and also to get perspective from home. the fear is that these types of conversations sometimes, unintentionally, turn ugly…i never want that to happen. debating is good and healthy but should never turn personal. i'm happy to answer questions people have and my answers are just my opinions, based on my experience and knowledge from spending so much time here. others who have been here will have different opinions that mine, that's for sure!

anyway, thanks for allowing me to share - i wish more soldiers had the time to do that…i just happened to be in my hooch and not working so i could but many can not.

until the next lowest common denominator.. ssg c

speak for yourself, nospam. i do not partake in starbucks, nor do i allow AI to be on any television in my presence.

no, thank you ssc. it was a welcome change from our normal activities. i think i speak for all hags when i say you're one tourist we enjoyed having here and gladly welcome back anytime.

Balls! I hate it when I have to work, I miss everything good! I have questions, people!

Anyways, SSC, are you guys listed on anysoldier.com? I could totally send you a MG package with not food and music and dvd rips etc. And a Thigh Master if you really need it. Oh, or my once-watched Windsor Pilates.

We wish they had the extra time too. Letters are nice but it's nice to have that instant conversation the lovely internets allow you. Stay safe and I hope you end up with some extra free time. And I mean that sincerely even though I drink lattes. I do not watch AT though. I do watch ANTM. And you are a much braver human than I ever shall be.

SSC,
If you get back on, give us an address, so we can write and know it's going to get there.

Oh man…I would love to put the address on here but I don't want anyone to know it's me. You see, they put "key words" into the monitoring systems on the computers out here and while I doubt it would come up, you never know! If there is a way to get your email address, I will send you an email with the mailing address. Will that work? I'd hate for you to give your email publicly but I'm not sure how else to do it!

nataliefriedberg@yahoo.com i will disperse it to the proper people who would like it. i don't mind, i don't use that email for anything important.

oh, and my credit is ruined so even if people got my info from my name they have another thing coming.

mae, if the good sgt does contact you see if you can share the info with the hags, please?

But mae, will you accept porn?

okay i just sent you an email! thanks!

of course sug! and depends on what kind of porn. snuff, furry sex, and balloon fetish porn = yes.

furry, of course.

cheney needs to go.

God, that photo. Just….God.

Thank you, Cord.

I'm sorry I came late to the discussion, but I want to add my thanks to SSC and wish you a safe return — SOON!!!

As much as I despise this war and those who got us into this mess by incompetence and duplicity, I have — and always will — support the men and women who are serving our military. As much as I would like to, I, too can't support an immediate withdrawl of our troops. It would be a disaster and result in untold lives lost. But there's NO WAY I can support our men and women being asked to return over and over and over again, without some kind of plans for resolution taking shape. I don't want this horror to drag on for 100 years, much less another five.

Again, Staff Sergeant C — be safe. Know that there are Americans who do care and do think about you.

And thank you. So much.

And to echo Mary's point: Cord, thanks for the opportunity to gain some real insight on an tragic, complicated issue. You've helped a great deal towards building understanding.