A Soldier On Furlough (a really, REALLY good story)

[CShine]

I won't post any of the text from this article because it shouldn't be reduced to just 3 or 4 paragraphs. This is a three-page story from the New York Times, and if you're not already registered for the NYT website, do yourself a favor and register just to read this story.

With all the political BS spinning around the media these days, it was refreshing to see a good, long story about one guy on leave at home. It's not all feel-good stuff, but it makes a great read. You should take a look at this.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/15/national/15FURL.html?hp

[AnnitaR]

1. Breaks my heart.

I'm at a loss for words really. I am so concerned for our soldiers over there. Many of them just seem to be overwhelmed by feelings of hopelessness. I read where our female soldiers are purposefully getting pregnant so they can come home. Then the ones who are making the wrenching decision to end their lives instead of staying.

Breaks my heart. :cry:

[MarianJack]

2. This is What we Get...

...from our "compassionate conservative" president.

By the way, welcome to DU! :yourock: :hi: :bounce:

[Jacobin]

3. When I think of the congresscritters who voted for the

resolution enabling Smirk to do this, I want to scream.

And almost worse, the congresscritters running around the talking head shows saying everything is great in Iraq and only a few people who don't want us there.

When troops come home in masses, the dam will break on this false information put out by the junta.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. Thanks for the article..

how sad. I don't think I would be able to go back to Iraq after a 2 week leave at home...just too damn hard....especially knowing it could very well be the last time I would see my family. Damn Bush!

In the article it said that "so far, no AWOL after these furloughs... because they know what the consequences are". What are the consequences if they don't return? I would seriously consider the consequences and weigh my options....like moving to another country?

[Palacsinta]

5. Well...that got the tears going....

Stay safe, Juan, and come home.

[gasperc]

6. "But now, he feels the war is a waste."..."We haven't found anything"

We found something, hell on earth!
<snip>
"In the beginning I was into this; we all were," he said. But now, he feels the war is a waste.
"We haven't found anything, no weapons of mass destruction, no Saddam, no nothing. And the people there hate us. If we were rolling through a town and they were cheering, hell yeah, it would make us feel better. But when they're not cooperating and throwing rocks and giving us evil looks, we don't want to be there. We're conquerors to them. It wasn't supposed to be like that."

"I shouldn't be complaining," Specialist Castillo said. "The Army can't keep me there forever."
<snip>
don't count your chickens before their hatched

[el_gato]

7. new whore times? no thanks

[NNN0LHI]

10. I agree. That Judith Miller is still working there shows the Times are...

...nothing more than Bush shills with a good rap. Any self respecting journalist would not work for this rag as long as that liar is still working there. My wish is that the NYT fades into oblivion. And the sooner, the better.

Don

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

8. read it and weep what Bush has done to our soldiers

"madness"

Iraq war is complete madness


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=536761

[nostamj]

9. this will shake you up...

if this interview is legit....

http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0310/S00105.htm

[Changenow]

11. I hate Chimp.nt

[Brian Sweat]

12. Why are they looking for gold?

I assume they are not going around looting. Are they looking gold that supposedly belonged to the Iraqi government.



Also, how sad is it that these kids are begging soldiers for water and the soldiers have to kick them away? Were there water shortages before the invasion?


I can understand them looking for weapons, but just imagine the outcry over here if the military started breaking into everyone's homes looking for weapons.