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| Iraq |
| We are facing death in Iraq for no reason |
| 2003-09-19 |
| We are facing death in Iraq for no reason A serving US soldier calls for the end of an occupation based on lies For the past six months, I have been participating in what I believe to be the great modern lie: Operation Iraqi Freedom. After the horrific events of September 11 2001, and throughout the battle in Afghanistan, the groundwork was being laid for the invasion of Iraq. "Shock and awe" were the words used to describe the display of power that the world was going to view upon the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was to be an up-close, dramatic display of military strength and advanced technology from within the arsenals of the American and British military. But as a soldier preparing to take part in the invasion of Iraq, the words "shock and awe" rang deep within my psyche. Even as we prepared to depart, it seemed that these two great superpowers were about to break the very rules that they demanded others obey. Of course the US is free of rules Without the consent of the United Nations, and ignoring the pleas of their own citizens, the US and Britain invaded Iraq. "Shock and awe"? Yes, the words correctly described the emotional impact I felt as we embarked on an act not of justice, but of hypocrisy. From the moment the first shot was fired in this so-called war of liberation and freedom, hypocrisy reigned. After the broadcasting of recorded images of captured and dead US soldiers on Arab television, American and British leaders vowed revenge while verbally assaulting the networks for displaying such vivid images. Yet within hours of the deaths of Saddam Husseinâs sons, the US government released horrific photographs of the two dead brothers for the entire world to view. Again, a "do as we say and not as we do" scenario. Oops, well eeuuhh but we took care their look, we even stitched back the heads on the bodies and shaved them, thatâs definitely more humane! As soldiers serving in Iraq, we have been told that our purpose is to help the people of Iraq by providing them with the necessary assistance militarily, as well as in humanitarian efforts. Then tell me where the humanity is in the recent account in Stars and Stripes (the newspaper of the US military) of two young children brought to a US military camp by their mother in search of medical care. The two children had, unknowingly, been playing with explosive ordnance they had found, and as a result they were severely burned. The account tells how, after an hour-long wait, they - two children - were denied care by two US military doctors. A soldier described the incident as one of many "atrocities" on the part of the US military he had witnessed. Thankfully, I have not personally been a witness to atrocities - unless, of course, you consider, as I do, that this war in Iraq is the ultimate atrocity. So what is our purpose here? Was this invasion because of weapons of mass destruction, as we have so often heard? If so, where are they? âŠ.! Euuhh, yes he (Saddam) must have cooperated with that Syrian lad (Assad) to hide em, we definitely have proof, you can ask Colin he is keeping those satellite photoâs Did we invade to dispose of a leader and his regime because they were closely associated with Osama bin Laden? If so, where is the proof? Bush: no proof Or is it that our incursion is about our own economic advantage? Iraqâs oil can be refined at the lowest cost of any in the world. Nah, we never would think that way, we are the just cause jockeys , world benefactor and exporter of peace and democracy. This looks like a modern-day crusade not to free an oppressed people or to rid the world of a demonic dictator relentless in his pursuit of conquest and domination, but a crusade to control another nationâs natural resource. Oil - at least to me - seems to be the reason for our presence. No lad, we are here to get chemical Ali, albeit with a delay of 15 years, but better late than never. There is only one truth, and it is that Americans are dying. There are an estimated 10 to 14 attacks every day on our servicemen and women in Iraq. As the body count continues to grow, it would appear that there is no immediate end in sight. I once believed that I was serving for a cause - "to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States". Now I no longer believe that; I have lost my conviction, as well as my determination. I can no longer justify my service on the basis of what I believe to be half-truths and bold lies. Pssst, donât say that too loud lad, the reppies on this board will call you a democrat softie With age comes wisdom, and at 36 years old I am no longer so blindly led as to believe without question. From my arrival last November at Fort Campbell, in Kentucky, talk of deployment was heard, and as that talk turned to actual preparation, my heart sank and my doubts grew. My doubts have never faded; instead, it has been my resolve and my commitment that have. My time here is almost done, as well as that of many others with whom I have served. We have all faced death in Iraq without reason and without justification. How many more must die? How many more tears must be shed before Americans awake and demand the return of the men and women whose job it is to protect them, rather than their leaderâs interest? · Tim Predmore is a US soldier on active duty with the 101st Airborne Division, based near Mosul in northern Iraq. A version of this article appeared in the Peoria Journal Star, Illinois |
| Posted by:Murat |
| #22 How quick we are to turn on our military boys that don't parrot the Bushie line... |
| Posted by: Not Mike Moore 2003-9-20 2:11:50 AM |
| #21 Old news Murat...this first appeared 24 August. What, you can't find any new propaganda to disseminate? |
| Posted by: Watcher 2003-9-19 7:40:57 PM |
| #20 Hey, Swiggles: Only 2 thoughts concerning the original article: 1) It's a fake - the most likely scenario, given what Steve figured out, or; 2) Pvt Predmore is actually in Iraq in the 101st, in which case I must ask the simple question, "Is he still alive, or have his buddies found out about him and extracted appropriate retribution for having sullied the 101st's name?" LVK C-1-18 RVN (class of '66-'67) |
| Posted by: LVK (C-1-18 1ID RVN) 2003-9-19 2:21:53 PM |
| #19 Thanks Bomb-a-rama. Good Read. I get the idea that this person just joined up to get the benefits and is now pissed that he has to fuilfill his part of the bargain. |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2003-9-19 2:05:08 PM |
| #18 Ditto--thanks, Bomb-a-rama. That was a good read. |
| Posted by: Dar 2003-9-19 1:13:05 PM |
| #17 Thanks Bomb-a -rama ....great link. |
| Posted by: Rex Mundi 2003-9-19 12:51:59 PM |
| #16 "From my arrival last November at Fort Cambell" Sounds like one unhappy Reservist who did not want to be called up for active duty. |
| Posted by: Stephen 2003-9-19 12:27:45 PM |
| #15 For the past six months, I have been participating in what I believe to be the great modern lie: Operation Iraqi Freedom. Read this. |
| Posted by: Bomb-a-rama 2003-9-19 11:37:07 AM |
| #14 Hey Murat, since I arrived here only a few months ago and probably missed it, could you please make a clear declaration so I'd know EXACTLY what your point is in posting these worthless propaganda pieces. Choose from the following please: 1) Iraq and its people were far better off under the brutal regime of Saddam Hussein and the government of Iraq posed no real dangers to either its neighbors or its own citizens; OR 2) I'm a troll and I just like to post anti-American rhetoric; Just a simple declaration Murat, that's all I'm asking for. If you honestly support statement #1 above, then hey let us all know it. On the other hand, if you simply like yanking chains, then I suppose we'd all respect the fact that every site of this nature has somebody like you. No coverups, no flowerly language, simply let us know Murat, does statement #1 approximate your position, or is statement #2 more accurate. THANKS in advance for your anticipated honesty. |
| Posted by: Flaming Sword 2003-9-19 11:22:35 AM |
| #13 To sum up the general anti-war arguement: "Screw em' let the wogs die." I find that attitude disgusting. |
| Posted by: Yank 2003-9-19 11:14:59 AM |
| #12 Murat, if this soldier is your most valid argument against the mission in Iraq. I think you should go back to work selling Doner Kababs. In every Army in the world, in every war that has ever taken place, there have ALWAYS been slackers and cowards. Hell, in the first Gulf War you had people that refused to deploy. Not because they felt the war was wrong, but because (whiny voice : "I don't want to die.") There are some people in life that are chickenshit losers that wouldn't jump into a lake to save their own kid from drowning or rush into a building that's on fire to save someone else's baby either. Yesterday I talked to a platoon sergeant that just rotated back on orders. Much to my surprise his chem platoon was mostly female. When I asked about Iraq, he laughed. "The media's a joke.", he said. The morale isn't close too the "rock bottom" that's portrayed by the media and Pvt Cryme A. River. It's just the basic bitching and griping all soldiers do. His soldiers run patrols and convoys like everyone else. They get shot at and ambushed (not very well, he added). He said the females had a lot of fire and after the inital trials under fire they're good to go. The job is a dangerous one. Anyone that's ever served knew that before they went in. It sounds to me like Pvt. P. Hispants, was just a college boy in and out in four years to get his college money. And like some National Guard and Reservists, thought they'd get alot of bennies and an easy life playing boyscouts for a few years. Sad face, Pvt. I. Wantmymommy. Suck it up and drive on. I know your type. You'll be the first one home telling everyone how you destroyed 6 Iraqi tanks with nothing but a P-38 can opener and your dog tags. I will wager 2 things though, 1) He's not in a combat arms line company. and... 2) If he was, and his platoon members found out about that letter, they'd be on him like a pack of wolves. In the military organization, war serves two good functions. It weeds out the poor leaders and the cowards. Natural selection large and in charge. |
| Posted by: Paul 2003-9-19 10:56:16 AM |
| #11 I googled his name and found his letter is very popular with the usual anti-war groups. The Peoria Journal Star say's this about him: Tim Predmore is on active duty with the 101st Airborne Division near Mosul, Iraq. A 1985 Richwoods High School graduate and native Peorian, he has been in Iraq since March and in the military for about five years. OK, if he graduated from High School in 1985 at age 16 -17, that would have made him about 29 - 30 in 1998, which is the five years ago when he was supposed to have enlisted. Army website says age requirements are 17 - 34, so he would have been on the high age end. And he made it into the 101? Five years in, most likely on a six year enlistment if he has this attitude, don't think he sounds like he would be re-up material. Smells fishy to me. |
| Posted by: Steve 2003-9-19 10:38:49 AM |
| #10 This kid is facing death for one clear reason: he volunteered. Even if this is a wat strictly to support free trade of oil, American Servicemen have been called to do such and done it effectively and bravely since the Tripolitan War. My conclusion: the letter is a fraud or the kid is a punk. Hope he/she makes the right decision at reenlistment time and gets the hell out of whatever service he is in. |
| Posted by: Super Hose 2003-9-19 9:46:35 AM |
| #9 you mean the Koreans that America has kept safe for over 50 years...oh, that's right, it's all about the oooiiilllll, right? lol, that one really hurt, rat |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-9-19 9:41:17 AM |
| #8 Only if it is a White Westinghouse box Swiggles, to sent my old refrigerator back to the states, that American piece of scrap made me buy a Samsung, hope that Koreans manufacture more quality. |
| Posted by: Murat 2003-9-19 9:37:48 AM |
| #7 Nice one Frank G. One only has to look at the 'source' of this 'report' to see that it is horseshit. I doubt this person even exists. I'll check though, I know 8 guys in the 101 who are still in Iraq. Oh and guess what? They are proud of what they are doing and they have all reported having good relations with the Iraqi people. Sorry Murat, nice try though. And I love the 'ignoring the pleas of the citizens' crap! Since when did democracy mean listening to the 30% opposed instead of the 70% for the war? Give me a break. How's that Turkish economy doing? Need some cardboard to make some houses? I just bought a new refrigerator and have a big box if you need it. Seriously, let me know. I'll even pay to ship the box to you. |
| Posted by: Swiggles 2003-9-19 9:09:48 AM |
| #6 I can read the stupid subject title and know it's the Rat. Nice anti- american rant turk boy...how's that empire going? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-9-19 8:47:52 AM |
| #5 A nice anecdote from august 2002 by Fikret Bila columnist of the Milliyet newspaper, months before the Iraq war had started the USA requested Turkey to use its soil to sent Special Forces into Northern Iraq. Ankara granted the permission on a condition to conduct the operations jointly with the Turkish Special Forces (Debka reported these special Operations a several times). US Deputy Secretary of Defence Paul Wolfowitz accepted the condition and the joint special forces began their operations. One of the cloudy events of august 2002 was when the USA requested the Turkish foreign ministry to transit two suspected barrels with possible WMD related material, found by their special forces. The foreign ministry allowed the transit but requested to take samples of that material on which the US drew back their request (something to hide perhaps?). A while later US officials made a new request for transiting with the statement that âthe found material quantity was to small to give a sampleâ on which Ankara rejected the request. |
| Posted by: Murat 2003-9-19 7:15:28 AM |
| #4 Wow... and Pvt. Predmore seemed like such a promising young soldier... I'm guessin' this means he's not going to reenlist? We sure will miss ya Timmy... Don't let the door hit ya on the way out... (Anybody who would talk to the Al-Guardian should be charged with treason) |
| Posted by: ----------<<<<- 2003-9-19 6:53:59 AM |
| #3 It's been a while, 3 weeks at least, since I last saw the It's All About OOIIILLLL theory. Thanks Tim (and Murray) for playing that oldie but goodie. No mention of Predmore's rank? He hasn't attempted to speak for anyone but himself which I hope indicates that his fellow soldiers don't see eye to eye with him (is that why he said "with age comes wisdom, at 36 I can no longer blah blah blah"). Probably a loner. |
| Posted by: Tokyo Taro 2003-9-19 4:38:32 AM |
| #2 So what is our purpose here? Was this invasion because of weapons of mass destruction, as we have so often heard? Did we invade to dispose of a leader and his regime because they were closely associated with Osama bin Laden? You did it so that your children wouldn't have to do it 50 years down the road, possibly involving nukes. Oil - at least to me - seems to be the reason for our presence. Too soon to tell if it is about oil. So far prices at the pumps are increasing steadily or remaining stable but definately are not decreasing. So if the US is getting oil I'd like to know where it's going, 'cause I'm not seeing any of the benefits at my local gas station yet. Now if the price of oil doesn't decrease in the long run (about a year) I am willing to bet that Murat will say the American gov't is hoarding oil for its secret plan to invade every country on Earth. You'd need lots of oil for that. Nice try Murat. |
| Posted by: Rafael 2003-9-19 4:29:56 AM |
| #1 "Thankfully, I have not personally been a witness to atrocities - unless, of course, you consider, as I do, that this war in Iraq is the ultimate atrocity." This wet blanket thinks like a(n unreformed) human shield. So he hasn't actually seen anything specific himself, he's heard a few stories. If he wants atrocities, why doesn't he pick up one of the many DVDs available in Iraq now, showing footage of Saddam's regime's beatings, executions and other barbarous acts, which, someone should remind this moral coward, happened to hundreds of terrified individuals on a daily basis for the duration of Saddam's rule and would have continued indefinitely if it haddn't have been for Tiny-Minded Timmy and his fighting colleagues. "There is only one truth, and it is that Americans are dying." Spoken like a classic lefty loon: moronic, meaningless rhetoric. |
| Posted by: Bulldog 2003-9-19 4:23:18 AM |