another day in paradise

[martywake]

Greetings form paradise. Okay I am really talking about Mosul Iraq, where I am watching history unfold.

[martywake]

Greetings form paradise. Okay I am really talking about Mosul Iraq, where I am watching history unfold. My present assignment has me living among the Iraqi Army in Mosul, whre I get to witness, firsthand, the Iraqi people taking their country back from the insurgents and terrorists. Many times I have read stories about the war here in various periodicals in both the electronic and print media, and I have been left to scratch my head and wonder what war they are talking about. Granted this is a big war and I am only one guy, but they don't seem to be reflecting what I see on the ground very often. The Iraqis are starting to take ownership of their country in many suprising ways. No sooner than the statue fell, satelite recievers popped up every where, all over the country, no kidding, centuries old homes with satellite recievers, and the Iraqis are exposed to life outside of Saddamapalooza. With this new influx of international culture comes the crumbling of many myths and stereotypes about the west, especially America. Many of the more cosmopoliitan Iraqis have simply rejected Al Jazeera because the see it for what it is, a mouth piece for anti-American rhetoric from the tired old Arab excuses for their lots in life. What may surprise many of you, and may not surprose others is that outside of the Sunni triangle, George Bush and the US are wildly popular. Many people view the US as their only friend in the international communities, while Al Jazeera represents the other Arab societies that have either aided in the repression of the Iraqi people, or have turned a blind eye and ignore their plight. Furthermore, the Iraqi unit that I am with has taken a more proactive role in the patroling and security of the local neighborhoods. As a result, we are getting better intel than we could have gotten on our own. Since the elections, more and more people are coming forward with information about terrorists and terrorist activities, and violence is starting to abate in some areas. Why walking through downtown Mosul at night is no more dangerouos that walking downtown through Washington D. C. This is not to say that we have succeeded in our mission just yet. Ther are many more painful years or rebuilding ahead before we can claim victory. There is still the potential for civil unrest caused the Al Sadr's of the world and inflamed by the likes of Syria and Iran, but if the Iraqis continue to take charge of their country's future things may just work out after all.

[b4its2late]

Thanks for the report!

[Finger Monkey]

Thank you. Thank you for posting this, and thank you for your service.

We love you guys. Be safe.

[GOP_1900AD]

I just wanted to pull out this really excellent news: "What may surprise many of you, and may not surprose others is that outside of the Sunni triangle, George Bush and the US are wildly popular. Many people view the US as their only friend in the international communities, while Al Jazeera represents the other Arab societies that have either aided in the repression of the Iraqi people, or have turned a blind eye and ignore their plight. Furthermore, the Iraqi unit that I am with has taken a more proactive role in the patroling and security of the local neighborhoods. As a result, we are getting better intel than we could have gotten on our own."

[Kevin OMalley]

"There are many more painful years or rebuilding ahead before we can claim victory."
***I'd say you can claim victory right now. Job well done, and keep up the good work.

[Plymouth Sentinel]

Great Job Marty.

We believe.

Thank you.

[AZLiberty]

... walking through downtown Mosul at night is no more dangerous that walking downtown through Washington D. C.

That's still pretty scary.

[AppyPappy]

I saw the title and I thought this was an article about Cuba.

[ChicksforConservatives]

GOOD FOR YOU! I spent most of last year there and found it to be the most rewarding experience of my life. I constantly had Iraqis come up to me and say thank you. They have such great respect for us. I had one Iraqi tell me, "because of you, because of George W. Bush, we will succeed. You, I hold in my heart." I'll never forget it or the people I met there. Despite the hardships and the lack of everyday luxuries and sometimes necessities, it was paradise for me as well. Pat yourself on the back, you deserve it.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

"...the Iraqis are exposed to life
outside of Saddamapalooza."

LOL!
WooooHOOOOO!

Bush's Fault!
And thanks to you valiant Liberators!
THANK YOU!

[doug from upland]

Great work, Marty. You do this country proud.

[Citizen Soldier]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us here. It's good to hear an upside in the news today. Stay safe!

[Fred Nerks]

Thanks, God Bless our Brave Troops in Iraq!

[Former Dodger]

Thanks for the ping, Fred!

I think you and the other members of our merry group will agree that martywake defimitely deserves this:

A job well-done sir!
Be careful and come home safe, and tell your Iraqi buddies that there's a lot of us over HERE Rooting for them to succeed!

[Fred Nerks]

martywake gets the excellent green froggy today! Three cheers for martywake;
HIP HIP HOORAY!
HIT HIP HOORAY!
HIP HIP HOORAY!

[Dark Skies]

Thx for the ping, FD.

[SamAdams76]

Why walking through downtown Mosul at night is no more dangerouos that walking downtown through Washington D. C.

Yikes! There is still much work left to do.

Still, very encouraging report. Maybe someday we'll be able to say walking through Washington D.C. is as safe as walking through Mosul, Iraq!

[swordfish71]

FD:

Martywake very much deserves being awarded the Royal and Most Excellent Order of the Green Froggie!

I'm going to ask Dad if he can design a ribbon that can go with it!

[martywake]

Maybe once Castrois dead!

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

Many thanks for that ping.