Mood Split in Town Where Bush to Speak

[maddezmom]

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - In the year since President Bush and U.S. allies returned official sovereignty to Iraq, life in the community dominated by one of the Army's largest installations has changed little. Soldiers from Fort Bragg have continued to march into Iraq. And they continue to die.

In the past year, 99 North Carolina-based soldiers have died in the war, trailing only the toll of 180 from California, according to an Associated Press analysis.

As President Bush plans to come here to make a major, nationally televised policy speech Tuesday night, the mounting casualties and insurgent violence have started to test the public patience for the war, even in a place where signs along the streets boast steadfast support of the troops.

On one such street off base in Fayetteville, 26-year-old Carrie Dimmick said it's about time the United States got its soldiers out of Iraq.

"We told them if they established a government we would back off," she said. "They established a government, but we're still there. I feel like the war is doing more harm than good."

more:http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050628/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/fort_bragg_mood_2

[Wright Patman]

1. Carrie is a bit naive

The "established government" dares not venture outside the Green Zone. They are truly U.S. puppets and stooges. And everyone (but Carrie apparently) knows that.

[Gormy Cuss]

2. Might be naive, but her comment does explain some of the attitude shift .

The administration's own spin of creating a new government is backfiring. If one believes everything they've been saying it doesn't make sense for us to be there with essentially the same level of warfare as on the miracle transfer of government day last year.

Good. Once the tide turns and people realize just how screwed we are by this mess they might stop voting for pandering neocons.

[NuConvert]

15. Mega Attitude Shift

I am changing my opinion as well.....a friend just lost his leg, others over there now....when/how does it end?

[Gormy Cuss]

16. Well wishes to your friend for recovery. n/t

[Arugula Latte]

17. Welcome to DU, NuConvert!

Glad you came over to join us here! :toast: :hi:

[newyawker99]

22. Hi NuConvert!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Brooklyn Michael]

11. I don't know about "everyone"

Sadly, I think, most people (that is, Americans) are not nearly as well informed as they should be (and certainly not as much as the average DUer). Not just about Iraq, but about the world in general. This explains the effectiveness of *'s and Rove's propaganda, not to mention his re-election. It's only when a combination of things happen - a given situation gets SO bad as to be impossible NOT to notice, and intelligent, driven people keep banging the drum for the truth - that the average person starts to cut through the fog and see the light.

We can be exasperated at the lateness of Carrie's revelation, but hey....better late than never.

:thumbsup:

[pretzel4gore]

19. everywhere, it's constant lies...

didya know bush was once a 'top gun' fighter pilot?
how do you counter such crap?

[Roland99]

14. But at least she sees the big picture...and VOTE IT UP!

[Straight Shooter]

3. Two words to all the citizens of Fort Bragg: Washington Post

Heads up, folks! Something wicked your way comes.

My father was stationed in Ft. Bragg, I have great memories of it. My favorite day was Armed Forces Day, believe it or not. I won't bore you with the details, but it's like the military version of the County Fair :)

To think of bush tromping around and spewing his lies in Fort Bragg is infuriating. I hope someone does a clearing spell after he leaves. (Maybe they should do one before he arrives.)

[underpants]

4. I don't mean to be condescending BUT it looks like the misinfo worked

Like many people in this area, 40-year-old day-care center operator Tommy Jones said he first believed the war was a successful response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

[sabra]

5. Ft. Bragg soldiers looking for answers

<<SNIP>>
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8386419/

Ft. Bragg soldiers looking for answers
Most hope Bush will offer strategy for war in Iraq


By Donna Gregory
Correspondent
NBC News
Updated: 9:22 a.m. ET June 28, 2005


FORT BRAGG, N.C. — With preparations under way at Ft. Bragg for tonight’s presidential visit, soldiers are hoping for a clear message on the administration's plans for Iraq.

Specialist Jessica Ricker, 20, hasn’t served in Iraq, but she thinks she’ll be sent there before the U.S. mission is over. Snacking on pizza and soda, she mused about rumors she’s heard on base.

“We hear so many different things,” Ricker said. “It’s ending. It’s not ending. We’re already told that we’re re-deploying a year from now, so it doesn’t sound like it’s gonna end to me.”

Ricker is not planning on being in the audience for President Bush’s speech this evening at 8 p.m. EST.

<</SNIP>>

[LibDemAlways]

6. The Fort Bragg soldiers who are

ordered to attend the speech will also be ordered to applaud and cheer the "Commander in Chief." They'll have no choice, and no one will be asking any questions, either.

And they won't get any clarification of any rumors they're hearing. But I can assure them, "It's not ending" and before it's over, many more of them will come home in boxes or on stretchers. That's a given.

[dArKeR]

8. Soldiers kneel to the Second Century's Hitler!

[Ganja Ninja]

7. I hope a least one brave soldier stands up and shouts ...

"YOU SUCK BUSH!" That would make it worth watching if you knew it would happen.:patriot:

[dArKeR]

9. We're dreaming! A Whislte Blower has laws of Congress protecting them

and look how they're roughed up. Imagine being in the military with nothing, no laws to protect you. The Joint Chiefs would have that kid dead or doing hard time in the brig or driving Iraqi politicians around town in Baghdad.

Whore Nazi General Meyers

[auburngrad82]

10. A split Fayetteville is a GREAT sign

Fayetteville is very, very, very right-wing. It's all about the military, religion and supporting President Bush in Fayetteville. I'm thrilled that there is a growing number of Fayetteville citizens who are no longer content to let the GOP run things.

[shanti]

12. 180 from california

probably marines...:-(

[Barkley]

20. California's population is 35.4 million; N.C. pop is 8.5 million

http://www.npg.org/states/ca.htm
http://demog.state.nc.us/frame_start.html

So the folks in NC are really feeling the loses.

[realFedUp]

13. Who needs special invitations when you can fill out an audience

with military with no other choice.

Shameless.

[fooj]

18. Yep. Shameless cowards!

:grr:

[zann725]

21. I'm guessing they HAD to attend. On military bases, social events are

often "mandatory"...no choice. A lot of the audience looked less-then-thrilled.