I wasn't going to post anymore tonight, but in the way of the blogosphere I posted my Happy New Year and then continued to play catch-up with my blog reading. This is where I happened upon a post by 2Slick about the current meme of disaster in Iraq... What Went Wrong?

It is true that we were mislead by the "uberintellectual" Iraqis (Chalabi is the most often cited), but my experience tells me that these people (even Chalabi) were not lying. They actually believed that the Iraqi people would rise up, thank us, take charge, and live happily ever after. This was an elitist view. Most of these "elites" were exiles who could speak freely and give us their honest assessment- some were Iraqi citizens who were using the Internet and communicating their thoughts at great risk to their own lives. In any case, they were all well-educated, but they proved to be pretty out of touch with the less-educated masses.

The thing about the "the Iraq War is a disaster" continuing lament is that - those doing all the yelling never EVER say what that disaster IS - they just yell the word disaster like it's supposed to convey to all exactly what they mean... They don't tell us what is disastrous, they don't elaborate on how they came to this conclusion. Periodically they'll throw out the soldier death toll to get around this, but I've wondered how you can pronounce disaster with only a death toll. (I mean even with the tsunami they also talk about infrastructure damage, loss of houses, businesses, food, water, etc)

Even more annoying. They never present an alternative - we should have done "this" instead of "that"
OR
-if we do "this" now, it will make things better...

Oh no, they offer no alternative, they only criticize continually, over and over and over again. Disaster, Disaster, Disaster!!! Run away Run away! Without an alternative presented it's like yelling "You're Wrong" Nyah,Nyah,Nyah. Cause you know, if something is being done wrong, there must be a right way to do it. And if you accuse someone of being in the wrong, you better be able to tell them what you think is right!

What I really really want to know and no one ever says.... what is the f*&^ing disaster?
* Is it that there are still people from Saddam's side trying to get back into power?
* Is it that everyone in Iraq doesn't love us?
* Is it that we took Saddam out?
* Is it that they are heading towards elections?
* Is it that terrorists still blow things up?

Did they expect that we'd march in and all opposition would roll over and surrender without a fight? Was it only supposed to take a week or two and be done? Were we supposed to change the entire country with the wave of a magic M16? As far as I can tell - from the experience of the history of previous wars - it looks like things are lurching on about as expected. So... Really, I want to know what this "disaster" is... cause I'm just not getting it.

Could things be done better? Of course they could - there is always something that could be done better! Have mistakes been made... Of course they have - there is no such thing as "perfection" outside of Hollywood - or inside Hollywood for that matter even though they want us to think they are all perfect there. Should we have had the perfect plan in place for going into Iraq... what would be the "perfect plan"? How would we know it's perfect? What is entailed in this "perfect plan" and how can it ever stand up to reality?

No, what I see, is a huge undertaking to reform an area. It takes blood, sweat, and tears to do that kind of work. It's not going to spring fully formed onto the world - that's not how life works. No, I see a difficult, dangerous job ahead, but I'm just not seeing the disaster.

Posted by: Teresa in Military at 12:39 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Seriously, not trying to be a wet blanket, but I find specific fault with not enough troops to fully occupy the country of Iraq after the end of combat. I know Rumsfeld is trying to "transform" the military into a fast, responsive force, but regardless of what force is necessary to combat and defeat an organized national army, technology has not provided the means, methods, or any other way to replace boots on the ground to occupy ground and enforce order in a nation like Iraq.

Transformation of assault forces is one thing, but occupation is another, yet Rumsfeld has not seen the difference.

THAT is what I say is the disaster.

We are losing the souls of those currently engaged in occupying Iraq.

We take the same town (Falluja) over and over again. If we have truly won the war, why do we have to keep retaking the same town?

I have a close friend who was in the first Gulf War (1991), and he is still suffering from PTSD. Yet, we do not truly count that cost in our occupation of Iraq now.

No, I do not expect we'd march over ALL opposition, but I *did* expect we'd have sufficient troops to occupy the country, and we have YET to provide those numbers.

So...

Do the math.

Posted by: Jack at December 31, 2004 08:57 PM (Yz80n)

2 Well, yes, as I said individual items in the taking of Iraq have been done badly enough to give them the term "disaster". Fallujah being the high point in that area. Politics played far too much of a role in how that city was treated. Yet, because somethings are done badly does not make the entire thing a disaster. And that's what the press is trying to say - the entire Iraq operation is a complete disaster.

As for the wounds to body and spirit that the soldiers have to contend with... the attitude during this war has certainly changed from the first Gulf War. With the internet, many soldiers are receiving attention and people are reaching out to help as never before. I am hoping this will continue. But your friend with PTSD is certainly not alone and it's only been in the last 20 years that this has been an acknowleged problem. Ask a WW2 vet how much the folks at home wanted to hear about his nightmares and mental turmoil upon returning home. I'm very glad it's at least a known problem that they try to help with now days.

I am not well enough versed in warfare to know if we have too few, just enough, or too many troops in the area. There is much arguing even among those who are experts. But in my opinion if we are losing the hearts and souls of the soldiers it's because of the concerted, persistent efforts of the press to constantly tell us how badly we're doing.

Even if a soldier sees good things around him, how can he help but feel that while he's winning his battle, the US is losing the war? After all, it's being shoved at him daily, all day, every day. There is no break - except for the press to denigrate the US about the paltry job they're doing in dispersing every penny in the treasury for tsunami relief.

Posted by: Teresa at January 02, 2005 02:01 PM (nAfYo)

3 Disaster? No.
Risky? Yes.

Lots of people stand by and 'tsk' when a risk is taken. Leading a nation into a risky situation will generate a lot of 'tsk'-ers.

I agree 100% with "If you don't like the situation, suggest something better." It's how I was raised. You can say you don't like it, but you must *at least* point out specifically what you don't like so that the person being criticized has a chance to respond.

And on that point - regarding troops - I have a few responses: One, If we have too few troops, it's because the previous administration reduced the military size, leaving the US short. We don't have enough troops to rotate out, let alone enough to maintain what we need. Two, through European funny-business, Turkey prevented the 4th ID from getting into Iraq from the North. That is a lot of troops missing from the initial assault. I can't remember who it was that said "You go to war with the army you have", but I think it was pretty accurate....

And no "plan" survives it's first encounter with reality. Try planning a wedding, vacation, weekend with family, a day at the park. All of these plans require lots of on-the-fly adjusting.

Posted by: _Jon at January 03, 2005 05:02 AM (grH7t)

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The Mudville Gazette will mark it's 1,000,000th visitor in January!!! Congratulations to Greyhawk - for having great things to say and saying them so very well. The number of visitors is a well deserved tribute to his excellent blogging (not to mention setting up Milblogs!).

I think we should throw a party. So keep your eyes on Mudville, when he turns the million mark, it's comment party time (Harvey, leave the Reddi Whip at home - it doesn't go well with sand - just grab that bottle of Champagne *grin*)

Posted by: Teresa in Military at 03:59 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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He made the LIST!

He's been promoted to Sergeant First Class! That is very cool. And you can see how far behind I am in my reading - he posted this on the 17th! Anyhow, take a moment to give him a good word or two. He's been working very hard to turn recruits into soldiers (the hardest job there is I think). This is a well deserved honor.

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Over at our Fearless Leader's blog we have the best reasons in the world why you should

We are currently at $6110 - John would like to see that figure go to $9000 to finish things off! It's the last day!!! So hit the link, give a little!

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That I see Sgt Major Hook leaving the blogosphere. There are good reasons... but he will be sorely missed. Keep him, as well as all the soldiers in your prayers.

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We are coming down to the wire! There are only 2 days left in the SOA blogger challenge!!!

Now I realize I have neglected my duties for the last few days. I get busy and then don't get anything posted. However, there are others out there who have been doing a great job.

First we have Caltechgirl with her Star Wars vision for SoA.

Then Jack of Random Fate caught the Northern Alliance in a very French moment. And he follows it up with some really good reasons why you should support SoA.

And there is also Amazon Kate on the Can-do Spirit. She is listing more of the great things SoA is doing!

If you have a little bit left over after your Christmas shopping...

Thank you!

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Drill Sgt. Robb has some gift suggestions for a deployed or soon to be deployed soldier.

As I mentioned in my reply to the received email, Soldiers generally like things that are: 1. Time Saving 2. Time Consuming 3. Functional 4. Pointy.

Go have a look - he may be adding to it as time permits and deployed friends email him with other suggestions.

Last year I bought my son a Schrade all in one tool before he left for Germany. He was very happy about that! I don't remember which one... but it was one of these. I meant to ask him if he still has it... or do I really want to know???

Posted by: Teresa in Military at 04:55 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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And I've gotten a bit behind.

The Patriette has a video clip that you shouldn't miss! It's wonderful. You have to see it as words don't do it justice.

Then Baldilocks talks about being a Consciencious Objector and the event that brought her to a sudden understanding of what we must do to preserve our way of life. It is tremendously inspiring.

Spirit of America is worth our support. They are working to bring people together and make lives better. Any little bit you can give will help this cause. Check out these fine women and their messages. Then

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Well, well, well I see that Drudge has really got the scoop on the Armored Vehicle brouhaha that's been at the top of the news. It seems that a reporter Edward Lee Pitts, who is embedded with the 278th Regimental Combat Team over in Kuwait, was the one coaching the soldiers on what to ask during the Q&A session. So direct to you from an email Mr. Pitts sent out to colleagues...

I was told yesterday that only soldiers could ask questions so I brought two of them along with me as my escorts. Before hand we worked on questions to ask Rumsfeld about the appalling lack of armor their vehicles going into combat have. While waiting for the VIP, I went and found the Sgt. in charge of the microphone for the question and answer session and made sure he knew to get my guys out of the crowd.

Um - okay so Mr. Pitts hijacked the session - so to speak. It's not that the question is wrong, but the fact that the soldiers did not come up with it on their own is interesting. And I have to wonder what those soldiers have done to their military careers in becoming a mouthpiece for a reporter. I hope they were old enough to have thought things through in that regard. But, it's too late now. They may be finding out the hard way, the not so pleasant aspects of "helping" the press.

But why was Mr. Pitts so very interested in armored vehicles?

I have been trying to get this story out for weeks- as soon as I foud out I would be on an unarmored truck- and my paper published two stories on it. But it felt good to hand it off to the national press. I believe lives are at stake with so many soldiers going across the border riding with scrap metal as protection. It may be to late for the unit I am with, but hopefully not for those who come after.

Ah - well there you have it. HE is going to be riding around on an unarmored vehicle. So now this is a problem. Any bets on this ever being a story if Mr. Pitts had been with a unit that had armored vehicles?

Posted by: Teresa in Military at 11:20 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Blackfive has an email with a last request from a fallen hero. It's not a huge request and it could be done as a tribute to all who have fallen in the GWOT. Go read it - see what you can do to help. It's one tiny little thing for someone who has given everything. Thank you!

UPDATE: for a list of country music stations in your area (the ones most likely to do this) go here it's a list of stations on Toby's site - so you can request songs.

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Sgt Major Hook has a wonderful post about the spirit of helping and how your donation to Spirit of America can help spread so much good will, it goes far beyond the mere dollars you send in.

Read his fabulous post now!

Then consider taking that $5 or $10... spread a little happiness and stomp on a lot of terror!

And because I haven't had a chance to do much of any blog reading today... I now find that Cool Blue also has a terrific post! Don't miss it!

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And he is proving it again - as he asks YOU to donate to Spirit of America!

… while our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coasties, and Marines are doing their jobs… protecting us from Evil… you and I have a job to do as well… helping make life a little more bearable for our fellow human beings…

Read the whole thing - this tiny excerpt doesn't begin to do the post the justice it deserves. Then :

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Blackfive has an email from a young woman who is a Marine stationed in Iraq. LCpl Jessica K. describes her Thanksgiving holiday in a war zone. "An outstanding young woman" could probably be one of the biggest understatements of the year!

... Tomorrow, I am sure will be full of fighting and disaster, along with the added stress of little sleep and cold days and even colder nights.

But, for tonight, it's Thanksgiving and everything is okay.

Compare this to yesterday's major "whine" by Maureen Dowd - Op-ed queen of the NYT. She hates Christmas and is finding it to be too stressful this year...

I was embracing my Christmas black dog the other day when I read a Times article so scary it made my hair - and my genes - curl.

It was about how severe stress can make a woman age very rapidly and prematurely, looking years older than her chronological age, because the stress causes the DNA in our cells to shrink, and sort of curl down on itself, until the cells can no longer replicate.

Poor old MoDo - LCpl Jessica makes her look like a sniveling teenager who hates everything and is totally annoyed that the world doesn't change to accommodate HER!

In contrasting these 2 MoDo looks so very awful - one wonders why anyone puts up with her.

Posted by: Teresa in Military at 12:14 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Dean has a fabulous look at what those words really mean!

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