"many Iraqi boys dream of becoming American soldiers"

2008-04-12 06:26:39

#1

HurricaИe: Banned; +877|6386|Washington DC

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1207873 … mmentaries

I may well have spent more time embedded with combat units in Iraq than any other journalist alive. I have seen this war – and our part in it – at its brutal worst. And I say the transformation over the last 14 months is little short of miraculous.

The change goes far beyond the statistical decline in casualties or incidents of violence. A young Iraqi translator, wounded in battle and fearing death, asked an American commander to bury his heart in America. Iraqi special forces units took to the streets to track down terrorists who killed American soldiers. The U.S. military is the most respected institution in Iraq, and many Iraqi boys dream of becoming American soldiers. Yes, young Iraqi boys know about "GoArmy.com."

Iraqis came to respect American soldiers as warriors who would protect them from terror gangs. But Iraqis also discovered that these great warriors are even happier helping rebuild a clinic, school or a neighborhood. They learned that the American soldier is not only the most dangerous enemy in the world, but one of the best friends a neighborhood can have.

Then al Qaeda in Iraq, which helped fund and tried to control the Sunni insurgency for its own ends, raped too many women and boys, cut off too many heads, and brought drugs into too many neighborhoods. By outraging the tribes, it gave birth to the Sunni "awakening." We – and Iraq – got a second chance. Powerful tribes in Anbar province cooperate with us now because they came to see al Qaeda for what it is – and to see Americans for what we truly are.

Once they mostly stood silent; today they tend to pick up their cell phones and call the Americans. Even in big "kinetic" military operations like the taking of Baqubah in June 2007, politics was crucial. Casualties were a fraction of what we expected because, block-by-block, the citizens told our guys where to find the bad guys. I was there; I saw it.

Yeah, they all sure hate us eh? Hearing this (and this guy was embedded with soldiers during some of the most brutal years apparently) makes me think twice about a withdrawal.

2008-04-12 06:35:04

#2

Dilbert_X: The X stands for; +1,822|6531|eXtreme to the maX

Well good, that sounds like positive progress.

Fuck Israel

2008-04-12 06:37:30

#3

FEOS: Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate; +1,182|6836|'Murka

I won't hold my breath for that story to make the major broadcast media...except for that "horrendously biased" Fox News.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

2008-04-12 06:58:43

#4

David.P: Banned; +649|6699

Wow where's everyone else?

2008-04-12 07:08:20

#5

Lotta_Drool: Spit; +350|6608|Ireland

I hope Bush's plan of spreading freedom and democracy through the region works, but I think the key to that is freedom of religion which seems to be nowhere in the plan.

I hear everyone screaming about Dead US soldiers, yet everytime I hear that number it reinforces to me that this was the most successful military endevor in the history of the US military. I would have thought 4k soldiers would have died in the first 3 months of the invasion.

Honestly it is the Breaking of my kids piggy bank to fix a war torn country that is rich with oil that pisses me off more than anything. The idea that the US has an endless amount of wealth and must fight with kid gloves on when it comes to Muslims will eventually be our demise.

We need more stories like this one, now lets send in the Mormon Missionaries to finish the job.

2008-04-12 07:11:30

#6

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|7006|SE London

Lotta_Drool wrote:
I hope Bush's plan of spreading freedom and democracy through the region works, but I think the key to that is freedom of religion which seems to be nowhere in the plan.

Perhaps because it doesn't have to be part of the plan since there is already freedom of religion in Iraq. A far greater percentage of Iraqis are Christian than Americans are Muslim, for example.

2008-04-12 07:15:41

#7

Lotta_Drool: Spit; +350|6608|Ireland

Bertster7 wrote:
Lotta_Drool wrote:
I hope Bush's plan of spreading freedom and democracy through the region works, but I think the key to that is freedom of religion which seems to be nowhere in the plan.
Perhaps because it doesn't have to be part of the plan since there is already freedom of religion in Iraq. A far greater percentage of Iraqis are Christian than Americans are Muslim, for example.

I think most of the Christian population fled after Sadam was removed from power because there was no one there to protect them any longer. And no, living under Islamic law is not freedom of religion.

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/20 … 7A7FA.html

There is no freedom of religion, if you are not Mulsim you are an infidel. Islam is spread by the sword, they don't take kindly to tolerating other religions because freedom threatens Islam.

Last edited by Lotta_Drool (2008-04-12 07:19:49)

2008-04-12 07:25:58

#8

AutralianChainsaw: Member; +65|6623

Lotta_Drool wrote:
I think most of the Christian population fled after Sadam was removed from power because there was no one there to protect them any longer.

So Saddam was not that bad eh?

2008-04-12 07:27:29

#9

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6715|Éire

I think the US should stay in Iraq for another 100 years if needs be. They love them over there, this story proves it.

2008-04-12 07:30:28

#10

Lotta_Drool: Spit; +350|6608|Ireland

^^^^^ The two posts above mine are clear evidence that one should not smoke their breakfast.

2008-04-12 07:37:29

#11

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6715|Éire

Lotta_Drool wrote:
^^^^^ The two posts above mine are clear evidence that one should not smoke their breakfast.

Come on Lotta_Drool don't be like that, believe in the dream!

Last edited by Braddock (2008-04-12 07:37:46)

2008-04-12 07:42:49

#12

DesertFox-: The very model of a modern major general; +796|7110|United States of America

I must say I've had enough of the idiotic 100 years crap. They'll be out by 2013, if not before no matter who is elected.

2008-04-12 07:46:46

#13

ATG: Banned; +5,233|6954|Global Command

Lotta_Drool wrote:
I hope Bush's plan of spreading freedom and democracy through the region works, but I think the key to that is freedom of religion which seems to be nowhere in the plan.

I hear everyone screaming about Dead US soldiers, yet everytime I hear that number it reinforces to me that this was the most successful military endevor in the history of the US military. I would have thought 4k soldiers would have died in the first 3 months of the invasion.

Honestly it is the Breaking of my kids piggy bank to fix a war torn country that is rich with oil that pisses me off more than anything. The idea that the US has an endless amount of wealth and must fight with kid gloves on when it comes to Muslims will eventually be our demise.

We need more stories like this one, now lets send in the Mormon Missionaries to finish the job.

Everybody knows that if it wasn't for advanced MASH units and the willingness to spare to expense of tax payer money a large percentage of the 20000 + wounded in Iraq would be dead.

It will be interesting to watch how the government takes care of those now with brain injuries and missing limbs.

If the past is any precedent those guys are all screwed.

2008-04-12 07:57:51

#14

Freke1: I play at night... mostly; +47|6972|the best galaxy

This is great news. Congratulations!

https://bf3s.com/sigs/7d11696e2ffd4edeff06466095e98b0fab37462c.png

2008-04-12 07:58:00

#15

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|7006|SE London

Lotta_Drool wrote:
Bertster7 wrote:
Lotta_Drool wrote:
I hope Bush's plan of spreading freedom and democracy through the region works, but I think the key to that is freedom of religion which seems to be nowhere in the plan.
Perhaps because it doesn't have to be part of the plan since there is already freedom of religion in Iraq. A far greater percentage of Iraqis are Christian than Americans are Muslim, for example.
I think most of the Christian population fled after Sadam was removed from power because there was no one there to protect them any longer. And no, living under Islamic law is not freedom of religion.

http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/20 … 7A7FA.html

There is no freedom of religion, if you are not Mulsim you are an infidel. Islam is spread by the sword, they don't take kindly to tolerating other religions because freedom threatens Islam.

So life for minorities has become awkward in a lawless society?

Who'd have thought it?

They don't live under Islamic law in Iraq. Also, that article is hilarious.

2008-04-12 08:05:51

#16

CloakedStarship: Member; +76|6990

Well that just tugs at my heart, but we still can't afford to be there in the worst way.

2008-04-12 08:59:22

#17

M.O.A.B: 'Light 'em up!'; +1,220|6648|Escea

David.P wrote:
Wow where's everyone else?

Looking for some bad stuff to dig up no doubt, because of course this story is hilarious and a myth to them.

2008-04-12 09:03:53

#18

Turquoise: O Canada; +1,596|6830|North Carolina

Lotta_Drool wrote:
I hope Bush's plan of spreading freedom and democracy through the region works, but I think the key to that is freedom of religion which seems to be nowhere in the plan.

I hear everyone screaming about Dead US soldiers, yet everytime I hear that number it reinforces to me that this was the most successful military endevor in the history of the US military. I would have thought 4k soldiers would have died in the first 3 months of the invasion.

Honestly it is the Breaking of my kids piggy bank to fix a war torn country that is rich with oil that pisses me off more than anything. The idea that the US has an endless amount of wealth and must fight with kid gloves on when it comes to Muslims will eventually be our demise.

We need more stories like this one, now lets send in the Mormon Missionaries to finish the job.

You take an interesting stance on this...

Assuming the above article is legit, this means that the reason why they like us is exactly because we kept the "kid gloves" on. We've tried to minimize casualties both in terms of our own men and in terms of the Iraqis.

By the same token, if the costs of the war bother you, then why not support withdrawal?

This is an interesting crossroads for me because, while I have always been critical of our invasion and the decommissioning of the Iraqi Republican Guard, I have to admit that we've tried to be as humane as possible with our treatment of the Iraqis. Most occupying forces would be much more brutal than we have been, and things like what happened in Haditha would normally be swept under the rug rather than exposed for all to see.

2008-04-12 09:13:59

#19

usmarine: Banned; +2,785|7187

Dont bother hurricane. Most people on here do not like good news out of Iraq. They mock it as illustrated in some of the replies already. Fuck'em dude. Don't even try anymore, ain't worth it.

2008-04-12 09:18:27

#20

M.O.A.B: 'Light 'em up!'; +1,220|6648|Escea

usmarine wrote:
Dont bother hurricane. Most people on here do not like good news out of Iraq. They mock it as illustrated in some of the replies already. Fuck'em dude. Don't even try anymore, ain't worth it.

Aye, but if we mock anything they put up its like 'omg u bigot or ignorant', yep they're part of the fair non-biased side.

2008-04-12 09:22:19

#21

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6715|Éire

usmarine wrote:
Dont bother hurricane. Most people on here do not like good news out of Iraq. They mock it as illustrated in some of the replies already. Fuck'em dude. Don't even try anymore, ain't worth it.

I personally hope only bad news ever comes out of Iraq because that would prove I was right and that is far more important than the cost of human life.

Last edited by Braddock (2008-04-12 09:23:34)

2008-04-12 09:26:38

#22

usmarine: Banned; +2,785|7187

Braddock wrote:
usmarine wrote:
Dont bother hurricane. Most people on here do not like good news out of Iraq. They mock it as illustrated in some of the replies already. Fuck'em dude. Don't even try anymore, ain't worth it.
I personally hope only bad news ever comes out of Iraq because that would prove I was right and that is far more important than the cost of human life.

I see we took some smart ass pills this afternoon. Whats the matter, run out of guinness to rinse your teeth with this morning?

2008-04-12 09:29:34

#23

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6715|Éire

usmarine wrote:
Braddock wrote:
usmarine wrote:
Dont bother hurricane. Most people on here do not like good news out of Iraq. They mock it as illustrated in some of the replies already. Fuck'em dude. Don't even try anymore, ain't worth it.
I personally hope only bad news ever comes out of Iraq because that would prove I was right and that is far more important than the cost of human life.
I see we took some smart ass pills this afternoon. Whats the matter, run out of guinness to rinse your teeth with this morning?

Yeah, I had to use Warsteiner instead...it breaks my heart to contribute to the German economy as part of my quest to drink myself into an early Irish grave.

2008-04-12 09:48:19

#24

HurricaИe: Banned; +877|6386|Washington DC

The more good news coming out of Iraq, the faster we can be out of there. I want the troops home just as much as an extremist liberal hippie... but I do recognize that we can't simply up and leave the Iraqis to fight civil war.

We have to keep up this "winning hearts and minds" as it were. The more Iraqis that support us, the quicker we can get out of there, because those Iraqis will want to kick the insurgents back to the stone age.

2008-04-12 09:52:33

#25

Braddock: Agitator; +916|6715|Éire

HurricaИe wrote:
The more good news coming out of Iraq, the faster we can be out of there. I want the troops home just as much as an extremist liberal hippie... but I do recognize that we can't simply up and leave the Iraqis to fight civil war.

We have to keep up this "winning hearts and minds" as it were. The more Iraqis that support us, the quicker we can get out of there, because those Iraqis will want to kick the insurgents back to the stone age.

Sadly I think if a nation has a civil war in them, so to speak, no amount of babysitting is going to stop it from breaking out eventually.

BF2S Forums "many Iraqi boys dream of becoming American soldiers"

Lotta_Drool wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

Lotta_Drool wrote:

Lotta_Drool wrote:

Lotta_Drool wrote:

Lotta_Drool wrote:

Lotta_Drool wrote:

Bertster7 wrote:

Lotta_Drool wrote:

David.P wrote:

Lotta_Drool wrote:

usmarine wrote:

usmarine wrote:

Braddock wrote:

usmarine wrote:

usmarine wrote:

Braddock wrote:

usmarine wrote:

HurricaИe wrote:

Board footer