My brother's (soon to be) stepson is going to Iraq.

[Ladyhawk]

He's leaving for the army on the 1st and will serve two six-month tours in Iraq. When he found out he was going to Iraq, he wasn't happy. The kid isn't too bright. *shakes head* As soon as I knew he was enlisting, I knew he would be going. I also told my mother that the kid would be doing more than two tours unless we pull out. It looks like all is lost in Iraq, but that may simply be a prelude to war with Iran. Who the hell knows? Maybe we've pissed off the Muslim world so much that we may actually have to fight them. God, I hate the weed.

I feel badly for the kid, but on my birthday a few days ago, family talk kept going back to my brother's fiancee's family members who are joining the army and probably going to Iraq. My mother thinks the kid will do a lot of growing up. I'm afraid he'll do a lot of killing. :( I'm also afraid he'll enjoy it. He doesn't have a lot of empathy.

I wouldn't mind sending him care packages and stuff, but I don't want to be drawn into more of talks of how much good we're doing in Iraq and how the army makes men out of boys. How can I support the troops--even troops that support the insanity in Iraq--and still hang onto my principles?

Things in my family are going to get a lot worse. They're all past the point of no return, getting their "news" from Limgaugh, Hannity, Drudge and Faux. There's no talking to them.

So, how do I "support" the kid who enlisted without supporting the war? How do I maintain my integrity and keep from being drawn into discussions about all the "good things" we're doing in Iraq--or whatever country we're stupid enough to invade next.

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Send him stuff he will need.

Non-perishable snacks like granola bars, clean socks, T-shirts, whatever he wants. Body armor. Okay, I know you can't take care of the last. Letters. Kind words from home and from the people who care about him.

Let him know that you care about his well being. Good luck to him.

On edit: Baby wipes. toilet paper. Basic stuff. The climate in Iraq is hellish and I have read that they need stuff like this. Phone cards so he can call home.

[OhioBlue]

2. You can support him by sending care packages

and letter without supporting the war or even his or your family's political views. I have a friend with a son in Iraq, I know she voted for Shrub, but she is a mess with her son over there. I'm didn't even approach the political discussion with her - she already knows I hate the shrub and am against war. But, I remember her son as a smiling little boy, and no matter what his beliefs are right now, I still know he is a good person who joined the National Guard for College money that may be a bit brainwashed right now - as are a lot of people. In this instance, I just have to maintain a supportive role for people in a difficult situation without an "I told you so" type of attitude because I know that they really are good people who have been mislead.

[tsuki]

3. I don't know, but I have a feeling that he will soon need all the

support that he can find. He is being sent to a place that he is totally unprepared for.

As for your family, tell them. I support the troops, not Bush's war. I do this for brother's stepson, not for Bush. Bush needs to get off his vacation ass and do something for stepson.

[UTUSN]

4. We're Bringing You Back ASAP n/t

[w8liftinglady]

5. send him little things...books and music,also

blister proof socks and things like sunscreen.My son is on his third deployment between iraq and afghanistan.don't send too much,because they leave whatever they cant pack.

[Ladyhawk]

6. Thanks for the ideas.

I'd already thought of sending the kid some things. :) I don't know what I'd write to him because I don't know him very well. Also, I'd have a hard time keeping my views to myself. I'll just ask him not to do anything stupid. :shrug:

I am worried about the kid. He has a history of making really, really bad decisions and I'm afraid he'll carry that with him to Iraq. Poor kid. He has no idea what he's getting into. Hell, even we "adults" would have no idea of what to expect.

I keep wanting--needing--to talk to my nephew so he won't decide to enlist when he's old enough. It would kill me, all that worrying. I don't know how you parents do it. A man in the local peace club had a son in Iraq. He cried every single day until his boy came home.

Fuck * for doing this to the kids. :( He doesn't give a shit about my nephew or my brother's stepson. He doesn't care about your kids and loved ones going to Iraq. He doesn't care about the Iraqi people. The only person he cares about is his stupid, smirky self. Yes, I realize he's just the figurehead of the cabal, but to me he is the movement's perfect symbol: a brain-dead, sociopathic chimpanzee.

I wish we could see justice within our lifetimes, but I think that may be too much to hope for...too bad I don't believe in life after death because those motherfucking war criminals would all fry. :(

[knitter4democracy]

7. Knit him a helmet liner.

That's what I'm doing for soldiers. It gives me a chance to pray over him with every stitch, that he'll stay safe, that he won't get hurt or killed, that he won't be so messed up when he comes back that he can't manage . . . It really helps.

Of course, they need good washcloths, too, so even knitting those helps.

If you don't know how to knit, I can teach ya! :D

http://www.geocities.com/helmetliner/ (Crochet pattern and also a thingy called a neck cooler that sounds interesting but too hard for me to sew)