kurty[B]

It's been a long time. For the past few months I've been working out of Camp Fallujah, Iraq. I've been helping to keep their network up and running, and that's no easy task. It's been an experience, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The Marines are great, and I can't complain.

There's so much to say, and no time to say it. I'm currently in Kuwait waiting to obtain my Indian Visa for a trip to the Indian Himilayas, and to take my CCNA exam there. I'll probably disappear for a few months again, but when my time out here is done you can expect a more thorough posting, and pictures.

I miss you guys.

Oh, and Iraqis are great soccer (futbol) players!

Actually, one other thing. I've only caught glimpses of the news... and I don't like Bush, but this whole approval rating nonsense, is nonsense. We're hear in Iraq, if we bail now we are leaving the country to tear itself apart and they will still hate Americans. They'll probably never like us, but the Marines, the military are doing what they can to train the Iraqis to support themselves and fend for themselves. It's not perfect, nothing is, and it's going to take a LONG time!

I could rant about this for a long time, but I'll leave it at that.

uncle phil

stay aware and come home safely...

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"We were wrong, terribly wrong. (We) should not have tried to fight a guerrilla war with conventional military tactics against a foe willing to absorb enormous casualties...in a country lacking the fundamental political stability necessary to conduct effective military and pacification operations. It could not be done and it was not done."
- Robert S. McNamara
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"We will take our napalm and flame throwers out of the land that scarcely knows the use of matches...
We will leave you your small joys and smaller troubles."
- Eugene McCarthy in "Vietnam Message"
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never wrestle with a pig.
you both get dirty;
the pig likes it.

BadNick

Thanks for thinking of us and sharing your first hand glimpse. Take care of yourself and stay safe.

maleficent

thanks for dropping in... take care of yourself..

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raeanna74

Thanks for sharing and I wish you the best of luck. Take care of yourself.

Thanks for the look from the other side of things.

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"Always learn the rules so that you can break them properly." Dalai Lama
My Karma just ran over your Dogma.

Fremen

Good to see you, kurty[B]. And thanks for your great sacrifices for us back here state-side.

I've always wondered about the opinions of soldiers over there.
Whether they really wanted to abandon all they've managed to accomplish, or if a lot of what the media has reported are just some senator or congressman's political maneuverings to get reelected. I don't know. It's good to see your opinon and assurance, though.

Do what you gotta do, and come home unhurt, sojer.

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Google

Toaster126

Good to hear from you. Hope you keep safe and continue to have high spirits.

From what I've heard, most of the soldiers strongly support staying in the sandbox until the job is done, whatever that means.

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"The question isn't who is going to let me, it's who is going to stop me." (Ayn Rand)
"The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers." (M. Scott Peck)

maximusveritas

Thanks for your service.
I think you're right about staying there at least to give the Iraqis a chance, but I do think we need to set timetables so we aren't stuck there forever. There are lots of threats out there and we can't get bogged down with nation-building.
Hope you have fun in India.

basmoq

Good luck making it home safely, I havent lost any friends yet, and don't intend to!!!

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"There's someone out there for everyone - even if you need
a pickaxe, a compass, and night goggles to find them."

newtx

Stay safe and keep us updated when you can. I'm with you basmoq, no friends lost and want it to stay that way.

veruca

I've missed you!!!
I can't wait till you come home

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How you turned my world, you precious thing
You starve and near exhaust me
Everything I've done, I've done for you
I move the stars for no one