[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by azasadny

DARISC and Shaun 84 Targa,

Thank you! I enjoy this forum and I have no doubt that most of the folks here love their country and want the best for it and us even though we may not all agree on the approach. I welcome other's perspectives and I learn something every time I read one of these threads.

When I was in Saudi Arabia, some of the best letters I received were from people who thought we shouldn't be there but they thanked me for doing my job and knew I didn't make policy.

All of you guys are great! It is heartwarming, and I truly mean it, the level of discussion and exchange that goes on in a thread like this. I consider myself fortunate to be able to bat ideas around here with some pretty darn smart folks. (Including Mule, he is a master at stirring things up)

But there are so many statements that do affect what is happening here. Does have some issues that Pi^& me off, yes. And was there a time when I would say that no GI was worth one Iraqi or other person not from our land? Probably, but now I truly cannot make it that black and white in regards to an entire nation. The political forces I can judge based upon understanding what they stand for and their methods of achieving their objectives. I could and do not concur that the "ends justify the means", every human being is accountable. But there are too many Iraqi's that just want there country back and they are sick of all of this war.

Does this apply to ALL of the power brokers here? No, I have as much faith in them as I do the political forces in our own country. I do see what the political dumbing down and the subversion of socialism does to people and I do not like it. I also do not give carte blanche to pure greed either. It is funny to me how when you look at social progressives on one end of the spectrum and ultra capitalists on the other, the two common denominators that destroy their integrity is the same, greed and power. It is here, it is at home.

SO I digress. One thing I really appreciate is all of your kind thoughts, I have shown some of the guys here what goes on in the OTF at Pelican and they were amazed that a bunch of Uber Gear Heads actually had deep discussions (LOL). And they enjoy the discussions, as do I.

DARISC, I do need to ask for the sake of understanding, what portions of what I stated do you specifically disagree? Is it the current state of affairs or my discussion of the opportunities for aiding the reconstruction and recovery? And while we are at if, I did not consider for one moment that you insulted me, challenged me, yep so here it is back at ya. I have faith that you will put it back my way, I welcome the exchange.

We need to get this war over but it means not leaving a power vacuum. This is the real challenge. From what I have seen and heard is that the State department has not ponied up the resources to get the job done. With all of the brain power in State you would think we would have moved further in the right direction. But that is just me.

Another thing, and for what it’s worth, I don't care if someone has served in uniform, but rather that they serve. I had a great discussion with a friend, Joe Wells, about this. Those that do the little unnoticed things, church, charity, Peace Corps, and all of those that choose not to take up arms as their form of service, I respect. What all of us must not tolerate is intolerance. Argument and really debating the he$$ out of an issue is healthy, but at the end of the day it comes down to respect, and you guys, each and everyone, even on your worst day, show respect. That is good. IMHO, respect is the foundation for compromise, and the art of compromise is the essence of IraqAmerica. Other regions of the world and other people are firmly fixed to the "I win you lose philosophy". Our approach in that environment is not a good fit and we can be easily manipulated, no matter how good intentioned. That is one of the things I see here is that we expect people to be "nice". Nice feels good except to the dead. The Marines here have a great saying, "no worse an enemy, no greater friend". We as a nation may need to look at that approach, as it has gained the needed truce for peace to at least have a chance.

Gotta go, things to do,

Thanks again for all of your good wishes, and back at ya'.