2000

[Batou]

Yesterday the number of men and women in the armed services who have died in Iraq reached 2000.

Enough said.

Erika

[december_brigette]

Hi Erika,

I completely agree with you.

love,

db

[freesoul]

That's a shame.

I wonder what the Iraki death count is at, too.

So many corpses over someone else's arguments...

[Sunshine]

That's a shame.

I wonder what the Iraki death count is at, too.

So many corpses over someone else's arguments...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

At least 26,690.

http://www.iraqbodycount.net/

[Batou]

That's a shame.

I wonder what the Iraki death count is at, too.

So many corpses over someone else's arguments...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I must add ... I did not mean to leave out the Iraqi civilian, police, and trrops who have died.

Erika

[berelain326]

My husband is over in Iraq (Army), and sees horrible things...bodies left on the side of the road, explosions, attacks. His particular group has been attacked several times, and he doesn't even tell me the half of what he sees, because he doesn't want to traumatize me.

One of the hardest things in my life is being patient. I wait each and every day to hear from my husband (he doesn't get to call, but he's usually able to email me...usually), because that means he's alive.

I can't watch the news, because of the fact it says that people died, and they can't get ahold of their loved ones yet. So I sit in fear, not wanting to leave my house, in case, just maybe, maybe someone is going to come knocking on my door.

The other thing I learned from my husband is that the media exaggerates everything. Though many people died, and will continue to do so, the media tends to wait until more than "just one" person has been killed, just to say that "more than one person" has died. ARG! Talk about a lack of sensitivity.

I might not support the reasons we're over there, but I'll be damned if I don't support the soliders. Some of them are just kids! It breaks my heart, and not just because my husband is there.

THEN...then they tell you that they'll come home in Decemeber, he'll be home for Christmas and New Year!!! And your heart soars, only to be destroyed again, when they say "oh never mind, scratch that, he won't come home until March." (My husband has been in Iraq since Jan '05.)

I am only thankful that I do not have children (don't get me wrong, I love kids, and want to have a handful of them), but I could never ever put a child through what I go through on a daily basis.

My friend's husband (also deployed with mine) has two small children- an infant (literally he was born two days before they deployed, they let him stay in the states for a week), and a two year old. Whenever the two year old sees a plane he asks her "is daddy coming home?" or when they're in the car "are we going to get daddy?" Her baby cried when his father held them (they got two weeks of leave), he didn't RECOGNIZE his own father, because he had been gone so long.

I'm so sorry for the rant, but I get real worked up about this. Throughout it all, I REALLY tried to not express my own political views, although, they probably are obvious, but not for lack of trying. This isn't about politics, it's about human life, and I just worry.

I don't know if it's appropriate to add this, but there are a lot of soldiers over there who want pen pals, and people to send them things, even if it's just emails or letters, if you would like to contact them it's www.anysoldier.com. (If this IS in fact inappropriate, moderators please feel free to delete it.)

[Sunshine]

One of my dearest friends (a 42 year old Army reservist with a 10 year old daughter) arrived there about two weeks ago (after spending several weeks in Kuwait and several months out of state in training). I write (and send treats) regularly. One of the guys on his team is 19 - two years older than my son. Scary.

My politics are a bit different than yours (I don't entirely disagree with the occupation), but all the death... Americans and otherwise... breaks my heart. Your husband will be in my thoughts and prayers - along with everyone else's husband, son, father, brother, wife, daughter, mother, sister who is serving there.

~Sunshine

[stereolabby]

That's a shame.

I wonder what the Iraki death count is at, too.

So many corpses over someone else's arguments...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I must add ... I did not mean to leave out the Iraqi civilian, police, and trrops who have died.

Erika

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not to mention the neurological and physical damage to those who have survived: blindness, countless missing limbs..it is incomprehensible on so many levels..on all sides.

[lilie]

Its a sad set of numbers for both sides when you have to wonder did they really have to be there in that capacity? Poor equipment, poor transportation, poor rations, poor pay. All to run down a demon that sought to supposedly destroy America. There are terrorists on every continent. Some that have threatened America without shame (see North Korea) America has got to find a new way to fight it's battles. Why bother with the acts of diplomacy when the real desire is to kick the shit out of someone then gloat? Then to say the missing and the dead are casualties that are "worth it". Currently North Korea, Iran, and Syria are now in our sights. Military peoples leaves are being changed and/or denied as these new needs come closer. And what for? Expect to see the numbers increase and the wars expand. We've opened a pandoras box. It's not going to just shut and all the troops are going to come skipping home. Especially after having breathed depleted uranium for all of their term.

War sucks just my opinion

Lilie

[grousemouse]

yes, i agree, war sucks. but i think we have to get used to it. i think this new militarised state for america will remain for the next 10 to 20 years at least. this is driven by economics. we will have to await the next superpower to confront the US and force it to curtail its 'reshaping the world' activities. we need china to begin to wield its military might. otherwise, why would america stop? reshape the world to make yourself more money. fantastic. appease the lobby groups.

i can hugely sympathise with the families and the soldiers themselves but i in no way support them. the white house uses 'support the troops' as a replacement for 'support us'. which i utterly do not.

grouse.

ps. this is so not a bash at americans. most of my friends are american. it is a bash at the US government and the farcical democracy it pretends to be.

[berelain326]

We'll (US troops) always be an overseas presence. We're going to be in Korea and Iraq, for a long long time (earlier this year, the US government "approved" the military to remain a "visible" presnce in Iraq for four more years.). And they (government) keeps extending that time. What they seem to not realize or accept, is that...it's not really accomplishing anything.

They're still getting attacked, they're still getting suicide bombings...wait, which side am I talking about? Death is not the answer, all it does is stir up more problems and more heartache, sorrow, and trouble (for everyone involved).

While I don't support the war, I support our troops, not as a force, but as people. Half of them don't even want to be over there, and just as many don't believe in the cause. What good is it to have troops overseas who don't agree, is it really beneficial for our troops to be as apathetic as they are?

I agree with grouse's statement that it's motivated by economics. We want their oil.

But I also know that they've recently found all the components for wmd (weapons of mass destruction) over in Iraq. Definitely not good stuff, definitely bad...but shit...it's going to happen, and it's not just Iraq or Korea. Who knows what other countries have access to these things, why not suspeect them, and go looking...well, because they don't have something we (again, govenment) want.

And as far as people getting paid...wow, it's sickening. Politiians can make up to six figures a year (give or take), while soldiers are put on welfare. In addition to that, there is a huge divorce rate in the military (I'm not blaming that entirely on the government). People go overseas, can't get laid, hey, lets go to the whore houses (really, I kid you not). The black market there is readily available, and so many of the soldier have nothing else to spend their money on, so they go buy "stuff" (Do you really need two playstations twos? Oh...it's special addition...ok, that makes all the difference in the world). Or hey, let's get some Pakistani drugs (yeah, that's definitely going to help). My husband drinks more in Iaq than he ever did in the states (and alcohol isn't even allowed where he's at!), because he has NOTHING to do.

They keep sending more soliders over there...but to do what? A lot..a whole lot of NOTHING. So we're dumping shitloads of money into soldiers drinking, doing drugs, and going to the whore houses...that makes me feel...like this is a bad fucking idea!

The movie Fahrenheit 9/11 is really interesting, it's a Michael Moore movie (I think?), and he's got a lot of opinions. I remember one thing that really stands out. He (or maybe it was someone working for him, I can't remember for certain) went around Washington DC asking politicians if they would send their sons and daughters to Iraq. Most of the responses were no comment or some other avoidance tactic. It went on to say, that only one child of the politiians (not sure what party) was overseas, ONE. (Now it is possible that I've gotten some of the facts wrong, and I'm not quoting anything because of it, so the facts might not be completely accurate, but the gist remains, but watch the movie, if nothing else, it really gets you thinking).

We spend so much time focusing on a few countries, when we could be doing so many other things, like employment, taxes, social security, homelessness, mental health, SO many things...

UGH, sorry again, I just get so worked up, especially by things that aren't really helping- like war, and sucky sleeping aids. Gets me all in a tizzy. Maybe one day I won't be as emotional, but uhm, I doubt it.

OH- story, not about the war, but it entertains me...The military wants to make sure you're not living in a slum if you live off post. (Not like they'll do anything to help you out even if you were, so I'm not really sure why they bother, I guess to make themselves feel better?) So they tell you that they're going to come "inspect your living place." My husband told me this, and that they were going to come and check out our place.

Needless to say, I'm not particulary happy about that. I hear a knock on my door, answer it, it's military (husband's superior or whatever). I said yes, can I help you? Yeah, we're coming to do an inspection. Really? How nice, now you can get the fuck out of my place, and don't fucking come back without a damn warrant, and proceeded to slam the door in his face.

They didn't believe my husband when he told them that I would tell them off if they tried that shit with me. My husband and another sgt laughed when they told them what I did- he's like I tried to warn you. Anyways, just thought I'd share...got lots more stories if you want them, shoot me a pm.

[faith]

Needless to say, I'm not particulary happy about that. I hear a knock on my door, answer it, it's military (husband's superior or whatever). I said yes, can I help you? Yeah, we're coming to do an inspection. Really? How nice, now you can get the fuck out of my place, and don't fucking come back without a damn warrant, and proceeded to slam the door in his face.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

HAHAHAHA! I love it. They pull that crap on us, too, and we live ON POST. You know, to make sure I'm not keeping my husband in filthy squalor. ::rolling eyes:: It makes me so angry. He already knows if they want to do an inspection, he has to be here in the flesh himself, or else I'm not even opening the door. What an incredible invasion of privacy, particularly for those who live off post. (At least I can sorta understand it on post...technically it's still government property, we just "borrow" it...but last time I checked, I signed a marriage license, not enlistment papers!)

Anyway, my DH is supposed to be leaving for Iraq in Dec. PM me anytime and we can commiserate! Hope yours is back with you soon.

~Faith

PS. Oh yes and back on the topic- for whatever it's worth, I don't think we belong over there. I agree this is all a senseless waste. And I also agree that Iraq is going to be the New Korea. We'll be there for-freaking-EVER doing nothing but sending soldiers home with the clap. Once again, my 2 cents.

[berelain326]

Random stuff that isn't quite war related, but miitary related.

I do live off post (ahaha, take that motherf-ers!, bring those damn warrants). And if you're SO concerned <also rolls eyes> about my husband being in squalor, give him a damn raise! (Ok, I know they can't do it, but still...damnit!)

Oh! More good stuff!!!! They're talking about sending my husband to Korea for a year (he's NOT EVEN BACK FROM IRAQ!!!) for a hardship tour, which is different than a deployment.

But they did tell me that I could move to Iraq, he can't live with me, but I can move there (off post of course). Uhm, well, at least then they wouldn't be allowed in my house? I dunno, I got nothing.

Faith-how long is your hubby supposed to be over there?

[SugarShock]

Hey, I just wanted to remind all of you who have loved ones over there...

Please remind them to document EVERY cold, every sniffle, every funny looking

shit they take.

The damn VA is getting tighter with benefits, I have even heard of people who have a purple heart getting only 10% (that's only 100$/month).

I didn't want to go to medical for my mental problems, bearly whent for my

physical ones, trying to look stong, indestuctable.

I only broke down and whent when I couldn't get out of bed. I just filed, have yet to hear from them, but even with a TON of paperwork and a medical record

a foot thick, I know I'm in for a fight to get my benefits.

And anyone who has fought they way they have over there shouldn't have

to fight for the rest of thier lives with red tape because some coreman

forgot to put something in thier file.

[berelain326]

Good Luck Sugar! Keep me posted on your war against the military!

Hubby is Overseas,

Berelain

[Spike]

yes, i agree, war sucks. but i think we have to get used to it. i think this new militarised state for america will remain for the next 10 to 20 years at least. this is driven by economics. we will have to await the next superpower to confront the US and force it to curtail its 'reshaping the world' activities. we need china to begin to wield its military might. otherwise, why would america stop? reshape the world to make yourself more money. fantastic. appease the lobby groups.

i can hugely sympathise with the families and the soldiers themselves but i in no way support them. the white house uses 'support the troops' as a replacement for 'support us'. which i utterly do not.

grouse.

ps. this is so not a bash at americans. most of my friends are american. it is a bash at the US government and the farcical democracy it pretends to be.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

grouse, I for one appreciate your honesty!

in many ways, you are right. and it's not the first war fought for these reasons.

Americans are, in my opinion, swayed so easily by flag-waving and We Are Right (WAR) mentality. To reprise an old quote of sorts--'"we are not the world's policemen." Personally, I think it's time we stopped thinking like that and started working with our allies in addressing the real problems of the world

Also, and I'll probably have to break out my flame-proof undies, but who the hell ever said that "democracy" was the best and only way of life?

Countless other countries get along quite well with their different forms of government. There is a common theme of freedom along with security. And those governments are more responsive to their people.

**NOTE** I do not include countries that have corrupted heads of state whose people are dying from starvation and disease.

It's a complex thing to sort out, but it's going to have to be done. Or we are going to spend the next 10-15 years letting our young men and women be slaughtered for no damn good reason.

spike

[SugarShock]

Good Luck Sugar! Keep me posted on your war against the military!

Hubby is Overseas,

Berelain

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks,lol.

I just wanted to bring it up, I've heard of WAY too many vets fighting

appeals for 20 years, in worse shape then ever going though red tape,

before finding one word/sentense in thier SMR/Service record that the

VA "overlooked".

A GREAT site for your returning hero/heronine;

www.hadit!.com

[Spike]

Hey, I just wanted to remind all of you who have loved ones over there...

Please remind them to document EVERY cold, every sniffle, every funny looking

shit they take.

The damn VA is getting tighter with benefits, I have even heard of people who have a purple heart getting only 10% (that's only 100$/month).

I didn't want to go to medical for my mental problems, bearly whent for my

physical ones, trying to look stong, indestuctable.

I only broke down and whent when I couldn't get out of bed. I just filed, have yet to hear from them, but even with a TON of paperwork and a medical record

a foot thick, I know I'm in for a fight to get my benefits.

And anyone who has fought they way they have over there shouldn't have

to fight for the rest of thier lives with red tape because some coreman

forgot to put something in thier file.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

this is so, so true...

I have my Purple Heart from Nam, so did my brother. our benefits=a bit over $100 a month. He died almost three years ago from brain cancer. A rare form now being considered from exposure to agent orange.

they sprayed the damn stuff on their own troops then denied them benefits

so, yeah, keep very detailed records of where, when, what...the tiniest detail might mean the difference between ease at getting those bennies or denial

sorry, this makes me sick for all our soldiers, past, present, future

spike

[ldo]

Congrats to berelain326 and faith on resisting the inspectors. I guess I'm helping to pay for that and I really prefer they find something useful to do. Was funny, tho.

I just hope that after we stop making so many disabled veterans we decide to take care of them. (Same goes for those who've had a few screws knocked loose.) Would be nice if we could help the people who live over there who caught "collateral damage", but I'm sure that's not in the cards.

I wrote some letters to politicians who'd be voting on the resolution about the war, before it started, and I said I thought that Iraq would be for us what Afghanistan was for the Russians. I do hope I was wrong, but I haven't seen too much to convince me of that yet.

[Panz]

The lies, greed and dirty politics over this whole "war"  just makes me ill. Bush had a direct  visitation from God , telling him to do this, my arse!  (I'm not particularly Demo or Rep, so I can drudge them all equally) I hope the man is enjoying his cocaine and caviar over his successes.

They are trying to cut money from the disibility and medicaid budget which they say is too fat, to spend the money making more war with the enemy of the week.

My family is US army folk, My dad, uncles and cousins came back from Viet Nam and have been treated like dog meat ever since. My dad has skin cancer on his face and hands. His brother commited suicide. I have little hope that these brave men and women will come home to any sort of heros welcome. I just makes me so mad.

[Spike]

The lies, greed and dirty politics over this whole "war"

[SugarShock]

I started looking at the Hadit! site 6 months before I got out.

You now HAVE to attend a class when you get out.

There was a DAV and a VA rep there.

The VA rep told us a bunch of stufff, keep your records, ect.

Then I go to Hadit! and was shocked at all the bullshit.

Lots of vets, esp. those w/ PTSD end up taking thier own lives,

the VA being the final nail in the coffen.

The botton line is, KEEP BUGGING THEM untill you get what you came for.

They could rate me 0% for my back and my brain for life.

But guess what?

they will STILL recevie a BIG STACK of paper from me EVERY month

untill I die. I don't care if I gotta send them every damn copy of Phy. Today.

Yes, I was never in combat. Yes, I never even whent to sea.

But after all the bullshit I whent though, fighting the VA is a war I will

fight with glee.

I love bugging people.