Guard Sees Parallels to Iraq in Louisiana

[sabra]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=282&sid=101778

Guard Sees Parallels to Iraq in Louisiana


NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A month ago, this steamy riverfront offered Michael Rogers a much-needed vacation after a year's tour in Iraq. His head was spinning when he returned in his National Guard uniform, unable to shake the similarities to his time on the streets of Baghdad.

An angry crowd. A hot blazing sun. A murky mixture of resentment and gratitude.

...

"This right here I'd have to say is very similar to Iraq, the way the people are _ hungry, very angry," said Rogers, a 33-year-old specialist.

...

"They're clapping on one side, because they see the security. On this side they're not clapping, they're hungry and thirsty," Richards said. "It's like Baghdad all over again ... The only thing different about this is there's no car bombs, no IEDs, nobody shooting at you."

[rodeodance]

1. BIG difference.

....... The only thing different about this is there's no car bombs, no IEDs, nobody shooting at you."

[Occulus]

2. The fact that they see a comparison is even possible

is disturbing in the extreme.

[fortyfeetunder]

3. Oh I see the similarity

They see brown faces, they all look the same....:grr:

[krkaufman]

9. That's NOT what the National Guardsman said.

This indifference is not at that level, so let's not misplace our anger. Those responsible for pre-planning and coordinating the recovery are at fault, and must be held accountable. The root causes of this disaster must be corrected. But let's cut some slack to the boots on the ground.

[Child_Of_Isis]

4. nobody shooting at you

Where are all the armed thugs who have taken over the city? Could it all have been lies? :sarcasm:

[krkaufman]

10. Well, it's likely that ....

... much like could have been the case in post-war Iraq, immediately after the fall of Baghdad, that it doesn't take much more than military/police presence to maintain order, so long as the force is large enough to express their presence throughout the target region.

[damntexdem]

5. Well, there has been some shooting, although it may be to get attention.

But there may also be arson. And if FEMA and the Bushistas keep up their idiocy, the bombs may yet come.

Now we know for sure why Dubya invaded Iraq: to get some experience in what he wanted to make of the U.S.

[NorthernSpy]

6. "there's no car bombs, no IEDs, nobody shooting at you"...

Nobody shooting at him? Well, he oughtta know!

[Drum]

7. If all you hold is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail n/t

[FreeStateDemocrat]

8. Big contrast NYT:New Orleans Quiets With Guard on Patrol and Offering Aid

New Orleans Quiets With Guard on Patrol and Offering Aid
By ROBERT D. McFADDEN 12:33 PM ET
The president acknowledged again today that his administration had failed to promptly help many of the hurricane's most desperate victims.
http://nytimes.com/

A small but armed criminal element took advantage of a government’s failure to protect its citizens and maintain order in a disaster area. This situation was by no stretch of the imagination an armed insurrection or civil war but horrible blunders by inept leadership that created needless suffering for innocent victims of massive natural catastrophe.

[Rose Siding]

11. Are the guard medically/psychologically evaluated after a tour in Iraq?

How must this effect any who already suffer from undetected PTS?