Girlfriend's son on leave from Iraq. Had an awakening.

[Unperson]

He is here for two weeks then ships back. He said that they are running protection for conveys which is all the Army does over there. He said that he has come to the realization that this war is all about profits for the contractors and specifically mentioned KBR. He said that it is the cause of a lot of low morale. That a lot of troops feel like they are being used as fodder to enrich Bush's pals. This revelation is huge, this is this kids second tour and he used to be completely gung ho, bought into the "defending the world for democracy" crap and the whole "Saddam did 9/11" crap as well. He says he knows that is all bullshit and his compatriots all know it too.

[spindrifter]

1. That is huge--to know that KBR and that ilk are the morale-

busters. And to think--Chimp and the Despicable DeadEye claim we are the ones that will ruin the troops' morale.

[mmonk]

2. Yes, many know what's up.

Sad situation, isn't it?

[Unperson]

4. Yup, poor kid had zero economic prospects.

Or at least he thought so when he enlisted.

[mmonk]

8. I hope everything works out for him.

[pokercat999]

60. Pawns....always have been always will be. I've said

several times here on DU that's why we use our children for war. Thinking adults not indoctrinated from a young age (17/18) would refuse and may even overthrow the commanders.

END WAR.....DRAFT 55 YEAR OLDS! Ok make that 56 year olds so I'm included.

[cynatnite]

3. Saw a soldier on TV a while back...

he said they make a few thousand a month while contracters rake in three and four times what he does for the same job. He said there was a lot of resentment over this plus he stated he had no idea what they were doing there.

[msongs]

5. what's the movie? "Iraq for sale" ->

www.iraqforsale.org

you can see clips from the movie I think (trailers...)

you can also see clips at youtube.com type iraq for sale in the search box

movie shows how the big corpse-orations like blackwater and kbr are so INCESTUOUS with former government and military people and using the army as trainers for the civilians who then do the army people's work at 10 x the pay the soldiers get.

it is a crime against the nation.

Msongs
see me on youtube!
www.youtube.com/videos/msongs

[Nomad559]

6. Have You Seen This Video?

HalliburtonWatch has obtained the first video of an ambush against a Halliburton convoy in Iraq that resulted in the deaths of three truckers who worked for the company's KBR subsidiary. This video was shot on Sept. 20, 2005.

http://www.vidiac.com/video/72d2d6d0-410d-4a9b-ae52-9844002a3e32.htm

Edit - News Article
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060406/iraq_ambush_060406/20060406?hub=CTVNewsAt11

[RoyGBiv]

11. Holy Geezus ...

What a complete cluster fuck.

[Jokinomx]

34. We sure have won the hearts and minds of the people....

Constant rock throwing, gunfire and to top it off...the military was given maps that were incorrect resulting in the death of American civilians.

As the driver stated..."God help us"....

[oblivious]

57. And right beside that video they got an ad for Halliburton jobs.

Halliburton Jobs
Get a Halliburton Career Profile: Workplace Culture, Pay, Recruiting.

[Laurab]

7. That's basically the same thing my nephew told me

upon his return, although he wasn't exactly "gung-ho" about Iraq to begin with. They protect convoys and try to stay alive, and he had no illusions about why they were there, and said his fellow soldiers didn't, either.

[Octafish]

9. The enlisted personnell know who's zooming whom.

This will ALL come out in the coming months.

Bush and his cronies are going to have hell to pay.

May God protect your girlfriend's son and all others in Bush's way.

[Unperson]

10. Thank you, I will pass it along.

That he is in the thoughts of many people he has never met is a wonderful thing.

[Straight Shooter]

16. We've never held any animosity against the soldiers for fulfilling their duty.

The reason we're so damn angry is because we do think so highly of them. We want them all to come home, the sooner the better, and to receive the comfort they will so desperately need.

A sad situation to realize you've been betrayed for money, and for a pissant's ego.

[Cabcere]

35. Couldn't have said it better myself.

:hug: to all the soldiers and their loved ones! :patriot: Here's hoping for a safe (and timely) return. :hug:

[bdamomma]

49. it's unbelieveable on the news though, the other nite one soldier

said yes the American people support the troops but they don't support the war, he said the American people have to support it all. Like who got him to say that, what BS, and they are also using wives who husbands are out there, to the point of them saying also people have to support the war also, nothing like brainwashing.

[NewJeffCT]

30. why do you think they keep getting sent back?

If they're home too long, they might start talking...

[JanusAscending]

43. I was just this instant ,

thinking the exact same thing Jeff!!! WOW!:wow: Is there something in Ct. water that makes us "smarter"!!!

[NewJeffCT]

61. We can't be too smart...

We sent Lieberman back to Washington DC this past November... x(

[JanusAscending]

66. I haven't been back to a Dem. Town Comm. meeting

since they decided to back him over Lamont!! So I don't have a nickel in that quarter!!! Lying bastard needs to go over to the pukes now and give up his committee seats!!! DC

[Octafish]

64. We don't have enough troops.

You are absolutely correct, NewJeffCT.
As any combat veteran knows, these are intelligent and brave people.
They also have good memories.
They know the names of the companies making a killing off war.

Bush has tied up the U.S. Army and a big chunk of the U.S. Marine Corps in Iraq.
These fine men and women being asked to endure extended, multiple tours and periods of perilous duty.
They also have been asked to do, and re-do, the impossible, all why under fire from an enemy that is no threat to the United States or the Constitution.

[in_cog_ni_to]

12. Can you imagine how that must feel? They finally realize this invasion is based on LIES

AND for profits for the BFEE and Halliburton. That must hurt. Poor kid. I hope he stays safe and comes home to your girlfriend .....alive.

[williesgirl]

13. K&R - hope he stays safe

[Stephanie]

14. Have you seen this documentary, Sir! No Sir!

http://www.sirnosir.com/

[Swamp Rat]

15. I wish he would refuse to go back to Iraq

just a wish

[Bucky]

21. Everyone's got a job to do in this farce. Stopping the war is our job.

I'm uncomfortable with the suggestions that stopping the madness is part of the troops' duty. It's the job of political activists to stop the war. I know we failed in that, so far, but we have to keep on trying. This oil grab has left them with all the grunt work, all the responsibility for fighting and dying and struggling to keep sane. We have a part to play in this and one poor kid getting arrested for going AWOL won't make our job any easier. Given all the atrocities and civilian shootings that have happened over in Iraq these past four years, I think the one thing we'd want still inside the army is young men and women with moral sense strong enough to see the difference between right and wrong.

[Oleladylib]

46. Yes, maybe they"poor kid" but divisions and divisions of our

service people just getting off from those planes and walking away...comeon....that would get huge attention from Washington...so let it get it out of control on this side the waters instead of in Iraq...there would be such SUPPORT for this kind of an operation...Yes, it's radical-it's not tradition in the American way to do it..but, this is a unusual time in history and if a revolution must be ...it must be.

[Bucky]

50. Nice idea, in theory. But politics is "the art of the possible" and what you suggest is impossible.

First off suggesting that the military defy the civilian authority is the single most dangerous idea to a democracy. It's a precedent no sane person would want to establish. The logisitics of a mass, spontaneous protest of this sort is both unworkable and at odds with the very nature of military culture. For something like this to even have a remote prayer of actually happening, it would require someone to go around from unit to unit convincing troops to commit acts of civil disobedience--which in this case would also be an act of treason (are you volunteering to go bell that cat?). And finally it still comes down to asking the troops to end the war, asking them to do the work of the civilian electorate. Stopping the war must be our job, something which sadly we've failed at so far. But asking the troops to pick up our slack on this job isn't just lazy, it's unconstitutional.

[pokercat999]

62. I guess revolution is the art of the impossible....give

me Mr. Jefferson any day.

By now they, we and EVERYONE knows and understands this is a criminal war of aggression for profit. Continuing the fight cannot be defended, by anyone.

[Oleladylib]

67. well, stranger things have happened and I'll bet that one serviceman

or woman who is the next to die because it's constitutional would agree with me in a heartbeat...so I'm insane...so be it...I care not about the sanity of the issue- because I really care about that next service man or woman who is dying in vain. We are using our intellect in this country-and watching our kids get killed..Ohyea, that's really sane. Balderdash!!! Actually, ladies and gentlemen of the military...UNIONIZE! That is constitutional..A few of your brethren will die in the meantime but maybe it wouldn't be in vain.

[tnlefty]

45. That is beautiful Swamp Rat.

Stunning.

[Cabcere]

17. I hope

your girlfriend's son and his fellow soldiers stay safe over there. :hug: It's really unfair and disgusting that Bush is using these people this way. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them.

[shance]

18. Tell him not to go back. It's an illegal war and its being done in our name.

And he is putting his life in danger so that Dick Cheney and George Bush Sr. can profit.

[TheBaldyMan]

24. What you say is true but try and have some sympathy for the guy

by deserting he is abandoning his friends, people who he has shared dangers and hardships with. Most of the troops out there return because of their loyalty to each other, not to the Bush regime.

Also the majority have a ingrained professionalism that doesn't allow for a job to be left half-done or be carried out shoddily. Knowing that if they leave their comrades high and dry will effect the operational readiness of their unit.

Those are all reasons for them to keep returning and re-upping. If they do leave, they feel like shit because they are dumping on their buddies.

Bush and Co. have been taking advantage of their loyalty. The current administration's regard for US troops, or more honestly, complete lack of regard for the troops is contemptible.

If he did desert I wouldn't condemn him but I won't condemn him if he decides to return. The best course would be for Congress to stop funding this insane war then the troops would have to return home. They have been abused enough.

[melody]

59. It's much easier for some people to condemn the soldiers ...

Easier than living up to their own responsibilities. That way, it's all the fault of the soldiers who go.

I work for peace, but my nephew is still in Iraq. He doesn't have a choice. He truly doesn't. A fair person
understands that.

[John Q. Citizen]

19. I don't understand why more soldiers don't "come out of the closet" what with

don't ask don't tell still in effect.

I would think that would either keep them from being shipped back, or at least, expose the hypocracy of the rule.

[Bucky]

20. "troops feel like they are being used as fodder to enrich Bush's pals" ... and still...

And still they soldier on... still they get up every day in a hostile country and try to make a difference, try to do their duty. These kids are amazing. Our country abandoned them, our flag waving media abandoned them, Republican and Democratic politicians let them be fed into the meat grinder, and still, still, they suit up every day, strap on their body armor (if they've gotten any yet), face the possibility of death or loss of limb, and serve their country. They've been lied to and tossed into a hell hole, and still they serve us. Everyone abandoned them except for us tree huggers. Shame on everyone who failed to speak up against this mess.

We have got to end this war for them. For all the shit the Republicans have dropped on them, they still follow the law and stand between us and a dangerous world. We owe them everything. Tell your girl's boy not to lose heart, to stay safe, to remember that some of us tree huggers think the world of their service.

[fooj]

25. What you said was absolutely breathtaking...

THESE KIDS ARE AMAZING. WE OWE THEM EVERYTHING.

[BR_Parkway]

29. Here's one veteran you left in tears with that - thank you

[gratefultobelib]

41. What an inspiring post. Thank you so much for your words. We lost a nephew

to this insanity. It nearly destroyed my brother who is a Viet Nam vet.

[blonndee]

22. He's not alone at all.

My friend has served 3 tours (2 Afgh, 1 Iraq) and has complained about KBR and how everyone is mad about how these big corps. are profiting, primarily (on FOBs) by hiring cheap foreign labor to do jobs that used to be done by military--he told me this when in Afghanistan, so I assumed that was what he was referring to, but also mentioned some shit in Iraq. He and his guys are PISSED and actually know more about all this than most of us do, probably. During his Iraq tour when I asked him what they were doing, he said their primary mission was to "guard the oil." He's in Movement Control, so not far removed at all probably from your guy in terms of experience and first-hand knowledge. He often has to go out on these convoys, and...it's a mixed bunch, with a very mixed mission. I shouldn't say much more except that it corresponds with what you posted.

[Pandrmn]

23. Thats n'uff for me!

[magellan]

27. I wonder.

[Jokinomx]

36. Welcome to the D.U. Pandrmn.....

I know you will enjoy your time here. It is the most informed site on the web.

:toast:

[w4rma]

26. This is very good in the long run. They need to know why they are over there. (nt)

[magellan]

28. Hearing stories like this

...I often wish for their sakes that they didn't have this awakening. Knowing they've been betrayed by BushCo can only make the nightmare of having to return that much worse.

Welcome to DU, Unperson, and I hope he makes it home safe.

[B Calm]

31. Vietnam all over again...

[bdamomma]

51. you think we would have learned or our sick administration would

learn they are only lining their own pockets, sickening, how many more must die for a lies.

[B Calm]

56. I remember in 1969 when I enlisted. Didn't take me long to wake up!

[The Backlash Cometh]

32. Privitization really sucks.

Give something a new fangled name, and those Republicans sure know how to bite. But in the end, it's the same ole, same ole: Exploitation. Damn if the rich corporatists didn't figure out how to make slaves out of our soldiers. I really don't know how Cheney is going to make it through this, without spending jail time.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

33. One of the woman in my department has a son who is recovering from an IED attack.

He was on his second tour. He and his fellow Marines did field training in a moutainous snowy region before he returned last fall, and they were told it was to mimic conditions in Iran.

MKJ

[watercolors]

37. Exactly what my granson' thoughts were

Two tours in Iraq and he is now in Afganistan for a year. He has one more year after that and is getting out,he always wanted a military career. He as completely changed his mind about that now!

[Jokinomx]

38. Welcome to the DU Unperson.... and thanks for sharing

I know you will find many more people that feel as you do ...

:toast:

I wish the best for your girlfriends son....and hope and pray that we can stop the madness before this administration expands this war into Iran.

[blondeatlast]

39. We must encourage--and make it safe for--Iraqi invasion vets to speak out loud and clear.

We must get them on the television and the web at every opportunity.

The Viet Nam vets ended that war, the hideously overtaxed and exhausted Iraq vets can end this one, but they must have more exposure.

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[blm]

42. That's BIG NEWS - call it in to your local paper. Seriously.

Or at least get it in as a letter to the editor.

[Raster]

44. THEY ARE BEING USED to enrich bush*'s pals. This war is a war of

arrogance, hubris and greed. There were no WMDs. There are no WMDs. We've all been had, and in the most grotesque fashion. bush*, cheney and their ilk are traitors to the United States of America and have criminally used and abused the American Military. This is the truth. This is fact.
:kick:54!

[mzmolly]

47. I'd almost rather they didn't know until they got home.

How very sad it must be to realize they are "fodder."

[bdamomma]

48. how many of those troops still believe Saddam had something

to do with 9/11, when we all know it was the Saudis.

Again Bush is protecting his interests.

[windbreeze]

53. The only thing we know.....

is what we've been told....BUT that does not mean it's the truth...who says it was any middle easterner at all??? where's the proof? what we have been told, is lie after lie after lie....and why??? to cover up the truth...because the truth will be harder to believe than the lies are...
windbreeze

[Rex]

52. Hard truth to realise, but know he joins millions of people who knew

some for years now. Right after 911, I visited a friend on active duty at Ft. Hood and within about 5 minutes we were both agreeing on who really caused those towers to come down.

He's on his 3rd tour right now in that Hell. :(

[focusfan]

54. me and hubby knew from the beginning

that this war was about Bush and his croonies and making
money.

[indepat]

55. Profits galore for the Halliburton-type contractors and riches beyond belief for big oil, all

courtesy of American lives, limbs and other body parts, all financed by the American taxpayer for private gain. And tens of millions of Amurikkkans still love and eat it up, still march in lockstep to their drummer's every beat. :shrug:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

58. I'll bet that driver never brags about taking out power lines again.

That is, if he survived.

"That'll give 'em something to fix!"

:shrug:

[Morgana LaFey]

63. Well, it just occurs to me that's another reaon not to bring them all

home -- they'd TALK. Who needs more dissidents at home? Leave 'em there, let 'em die, who cares? Right?

[Maat]

65. Praying he comes home safely!

It sickens me when I think of how our brave troops are being treated.

May those who sent them over there rot in H*ll for Eternity!

[SammyWinstonJack]

68. Wasn't it Poppy bu$h who called the troops cannon fodder?

No more bu$h war$ for profit$! Enough!