I think the fight has really started now - for Baghdad.

[Joe for Clark]

I have NO FAITH at all that CNN or anyone else in the MM has the "fortitude" to cover it - but I am pretty sure, none the less.

I felt it all day. I have gone thru similar things before. This is as strong as I have ever felt it.

I don't trust the MM anymore - I know the crap they had on before and I know they are too afraid to look what happens outside their safety zone. You know there were firefights going on ON BASE up in Mosul at the same time CNN was reporting all was quiet up there, Honest to god.

This started though, in earnest now, I am pretty damn sure.

My kid is in the 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade, 118 Engineers - he hunts down roadside bombs - not a great life expectancy in that. Frankly, I had no dellusions about this tour - it isn't his first. But I'll tell you one thing - I listen to my family coming back from there - and they say it is at least as bad as I thought. And it wasn't great, I'll tell you that.

Joe

[kstewart33]

1. I don't know how you get by day by day.

Having a son in Iraq; I certainly respect and admire your ability to cope with it.

I am so sick of the war. Let us all know here how it goes.

[Monkeyman]

2. You have been included in our prayers

May your family come home safe into your arms. They are my brothers and sisters if they need help when they come home with the VA email me here anytime day or night

[Auntie Bush]

4. I don't trust the MSM either...so please tell us what your

your son says is going on.

Bless you, your family and your son.

[Joe for Clark]

9. I only trust him now.

He is a smart kid. I trust him, and thats about it.

Sure I will as I understand it -

I think it will be too little too late right now,

But I will.

Joe

[Joe for Clark]

6. Well, they update the casualties on friday - my wife does this

cause she knows I'd die on the spot - its like that.

Joe

[blue cat]

3. May God be with you

and your child.

[Joe for Clark]

10. I guess I wish I believed god had something to firefights.

I do believe in god, generally - not about this though.

Thank you blue cat - I appreciate you wishes.

Joe

[lyonn]

5. Ouch, "firefights On Base" in Mosul

Yup, no info from the MSM concerning bases being fired on.

Your boy and all those over there fighting bush's war have got to know there are so many of us that are trying to get them back home. We need them here to protect this country, not Iraq that doesn't want us there.

You gotta be proud of your boy's efforts along with all of us. If only we could keep the troops from putting their life on the line for a foolish, ignorant invasion of a country that we recently backed with arms. Ugh

Thanks for post.

[Joe for Clark]

7. I was proud - now I'm scared.

He was supposed to go to Afghanistan - THAT IS WHY HE SIGNED UP. I was never more proud of him after he did that. But sure as hell, as hes on the boat they detoured his group to Iraq. It was all bullshit.

There were pretty big fights on the base up north - and you had to REALLY look to even see them.

He watched a girl get vaporized in front of him going to mess. Stuff like that.

He had to go thru Samara - he got ambushed three times in less than two hours trying to get thru there. Passing mention on CNN as I recall.

Let me tell you, my bro in law has more combat ribbons than Dad - a lot - he said it plainly, get the boy out of there! He said a lot more than that, really - and I will not repeat what he said.

Joe

[snowbear]

8. I don't trust the media either Joe..

I still pull up the website > http://icasualties.org/oif/ which is updated several times a day to get the best info I can find.

It's okay to be both scared and PROUD...

Just remember, even if it's not much of a consolation, we're all here for you at DU Joe. (( ))

~~ ~~

[lyonn]

11. Thanks Joe for further info

It is sad the truth will come out too late to help with the coming election. That is the only hope we have for the troops in the immediate future.

I imagine that many troops over there are disgusted but need to watch each others back, type mentality. How proud we are of them, they have no choice, we must help them at the poles in November.

[semillama]

12. My best friend was in charge of similar operations

as a captain. I don't recall who he was attached to. He was over there before things really went all to hell, and was able to do things like go to coffee shops. Now he's back stateside and has been for a while. He's supposed to go teach at West Point for a while, but he's sure he'll get sent back to Iraq. He's been to Afghanistan as well. He said the hardest part of his job was helping with the paperwork for the KIA soldiers, which he did right before he was sent over. Luckily, none of his men were killed or wounded, and they all made it back in one piece (not for lack of action).

I hope your son comes back ok. I hear that the folks who are in IED removal get some of the best protection and respect, is that true?