I have always believed in the concept of American Exceptionalism. American progressives scoff at it and Europeans deny the very idea. Yet it is true.
I have no faith at all that Barack Obama will be a successful president, but my faith in my fellow Americans is unshakable.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Iraq — Eye Witness
My oldest friend is John Wilson, “Monterey John” from the Another Rovian Conspiracy blog. We’ve been friends for more more than 40 years and I’ve known his brother, Mike, nearly as long.
Mike’s son, Shawn, is a specialist with the 10th Mountain Division and was recently deployed to Iraq. The reports Shawn gives differ from what we see on the evening news or hear from various politicians in Washington.
What follows is an e-mail from Mike about his son.
Spc. Shawn Wilson
Things went into a news blackout for about three weeks as the 10th Mountain Division, Military Police Company moved to their new location in Kalsu, Iraq. Current temperature about 85 degrees at high noon and cold enough at night to enjoy the comfort of a sleeping bag. Shawn cannot send pictures at this point due to some restrictions. He noted camels as big as dinosaurs coming in colors ranging from black to white, so he took some shots of them next to a pickup truck to put them into perspective.
Shawn enjoys solid ground and vegetation as compared to to the sands of Kuwait; and, Kalsu provides that stability to walk normally up right. His description of the town of Kalsu is hard to believe. Lots of energetic reconstruction being done by Iraqis, or emerging Iraqi contractors, that favor prestressed post tensioned concrete panels. That is good bunker building stuff.
The markets are open into the evening mixed with neon lights aglow. This is Shawn's biggest surprise...people in the streets, running water continuous electricity and kids are making - make shift American uniforms and are friendly. They like the solders. No criminal activity on the part of American forces with very few jihad boys running around Mr. Roger's neighborhood. American contractors providing excellent food which incidentally can also be found on the local streets such unbelievable places as as Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and even Taco Bell owned by Iraqis' The local movie theater is not a potential death trap. This indicates a major victory for the United States and George Bush. This currently unquantified success is why the American public receives none of this news worthy information while the minions in press corp. search the Iraqi nation for good old suicide bomber. They'll find one too under the premise one Robin doesn't make a spring.
The nice day off in Bagdad and the visit to Hussein's wrecked palace as seen by Shawn Michael Wilson. It is kind of of a museum where you can enter fully armed and if your are not caring a weapon you will be searched. Gruesome highlights and a smash and trash policy, are rules of the road when entering. Within the palace there is one swimming pool that was not filled with water intentionally. The blood stains are still there as part of the swimming pool or... lets have a laugh... execution point. "I was surprised they never washed it out. Maybe the pool is a message,"Shawn said. Shawn and crew made it up to Sadam's main office sat in a few filthy chairs that remained. Slabs of beautiful marble lay shattered all over the palace amongst destroyed crystal chandeliers which made for souvenirs'. After writing their names and other things on the walls the troopers headed down stairs to entrance center to a web tunnels and bunkers. Shawn described one bunker room with a massive whole it caused a Tomahawk missile. At the time of the explosion fifty of Sadam's officers were watching the movie Pretty Woman. Yes Bush lied in this case, he told Saddam that he had forty eight hours to get out of Kuwait or the war would commence, and wouldn't you know it Bush showed up twenty-four hours early.
Mike’s son, Shawn, is a specialist with the 10th Mountain Division and was recently deployed to Iraq. The reports Shawn gives differ from what we see on the evening news or hear from various politicians in Washington.
What follows is an e-mail from Mike about his son.
Spc. Shawn WilsonThings went into a news blackout for about three weeks as the 10th Mountain Division, Military Police Company moved to their new location in Kalsu, Iraq. Current temperature about 85 degrees at high noon and cold enough at night to enjoy the comfort of a sleeping bag. Shawn cannot send pictures at this point due to some restrictions. He noted camels as big as dinosaurs coming in colors ranging from black to white, so he took some shots of them next to a pickup truck to put them into perspective.
Shawn enjoys solid ground and vegetation as compared to to the sands of Kuwait; and, Kalsu provides that stability to walk normally up right. His description of the town of Kalsu is hard to believe. Lots of energetic reconstruction being done by Iraqis, or emerging Iraqi contractors, that favor prestressed post tensioned concrete panels. That is good bunker building stuff.
The markets are open into the evening mixed with neon lights aglow. This is Shawn's biggest surprise...people in the streets, running water continuous electricity and kids are making - make shift American uniforms and are friendly. They like the solders. No criminal activity on the part of American forces with very few jihad boys running around Mr. Roger's neighborhood. American contractors providing excellent food which incidentally can also be found on the local streets such unbelievable places as as Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and even Taco Bell owned by Iraqis' The local movie theater is not a potential death trap. This indicates a major victory for the United States and George Bush. This currently unquantified success is why the American public receives none of this news worthy information while the minions in press corp. search the Iraqi nation for good old suicide bomber. They'll find one too under the premise one Robin doesn't make a spring.
The nice day off in Bagdad and the visit to Hussein's wrecked palace as seen by Shawn Michael Wilson. It is kind of of a museum where you can enter fully armed and if your are not caring a weapon you will be searched. Gruesome highlights and a smash and trash policy, are rules of the road when entering. Within the palace there is one swimming pool that was not filled with water intentionally. The blood stains are still there as part of the swimming pool or... lets have a laugh... execution point. "I was surprised they never washed it out. Maybe the pool is a message,"Shawn said. Shawn and crew made it up to Sadam's main office sat in a few filthy chairs that remained. Slabs of beautiful marble lay shattered all over the palace amongst destroyed crystal chandeliers which made for souvenirs'. After writing their names and other things on the walls the troopers headed down stairs to entrance center to a web tunnels and bunkers. Shawn described one bunker room with a massive whole it caused a Tomahawk missile. At the time of the explosion fifty of Sadam's officers were watching the movie Pretty Woman. Yes Bush lied in this case, he told Saddam that he had forty eight hours to get out of Kuwait or the war would commence, and wouldn't you know it Bush showed up twenty-four hours early.
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