I think yesterday was pretty important.

[Joe for Clark]

I can't post here all the time- I really can't - although I would like to sometimes.

In the afternoon yesterday some suicide bombers were used in attacks southwest of Kirkuk. South of the city - toward the highway. West of the oil fields. First time. And predictible.

We just don't have enough kids to cover that area. Ones we do will stay toward the oil fields - understandable. That means to the west - all the way to that highway is open - it just is.

Now - I admit, I want those kids the hell out of there. And My kid is there in Baghdad.

BUT - I really think - we need that army brought back here to fight another day.

That this just isn't our fight, and that we may indeed have a fight coming. Somewhere. And that we better have an army to do that.

Joe

[MadMaddie]

1. You are right Joe...You are so right..

[Olney Blue]

2. Recommended.

I hope your kid comes home safe and sound, Joe.

[Joe for Clark]

3. That is very decent.

I appreciate every word.

The moment you kill to avoid being killed - no one comes out of that clean.

Joe

[Olney Blue]

4. Agreed.

I just found out yesterday that my nephew is going back over for a second tour in Iraq under stop loss. I'm so worried.
He hasn't talked much to any of us. I hope he didn't have to kill somebody. I agree with you about killing.

[Joe for Clark]

5. Good pieces of advice -

And you are free to do what you want.

You don't want to know the answer - don't ask the question.

Man. I figure dad killed well over a 1000 people in another war - and I asked questions about it so many times in my life - but, I made sure my wife never really heard the answers when I talked to the kid. She really freaked out the day she heard dad aimed at horses - you know??

Be careful what you ask. You may find out a lot more than you intend.

Best to you,

Joe

[Olney Blue]

6. Good advice.

I won't be asking the question, but I will be there to listen if he ever wants to talk.

[Joe for Clark]

7. Then you have the right idea.

Personally - in another time - I wasn't that way. I wanted to know.

It is really hard sometimes.

Good luck to you - don't be like me.

Joe

[Olney Blue]

8. Actually...

I don't think that would be bad at all. :)

[Joe for Clark]

10. Don't find out the hard way.

Joe

[Joe for Clark]

9. I have this funny story -

Many years ago I dated this girl. Her father was a captain in the german air force. I wanted to take her out - and her father stopped it unless he met my parents. I was 16 or 17.

I had to call mom and dad and say the father wants to meet you. Could not say why.

What could I say - "he was in the war, too". I could not tell them which side he was on - I was trying to do the girl, right?? Scared. My parents tried to kill those Nazis - you know??

It was one of those things in life that stick with you - that man, and he was nuts - came over and he and dad - they compared notes on the fights over Frankfort - they really got along great. They went on for hours comparing notes. Didn't get to do that girl that weekend, needless to say. Did the next weekend though.

I think that is the time I really came to understand that fighter pilots REALLY stick together.

Stuck with me all these years -

Joe