Brett said:
When do we see that happening, with the insurgents constantly fighting us? They don't want us there and unfortunately, the normal people in Iraq don't stand up to them. Their police force and the training of their new army will help, but the problem still is that they have a hard time fighting their own people.
Media coverage is definately biased I am sure. There are a few people here at work that read Arabic newspapers online and they tell different stories than what we hear through our own. It would be great if we could actually know how things are going. I don't know anyone that has been over there recently (Army or otherwise) so I can't say that I know how they feel about it. If the people you've talked to feel good about what they are doing, then good, I like knowing that they are proud of what they do. If it were the other way around, then it might be time to change things.
And you are right, we can't change the fact that things were misrepresented at the beginning of this entire campaign. I would really really like to know if the facts were intentionally falsified or if our goverment did think that there were weapons in Iraq. We probably won't ever know unfortunately. Wrapped up in red tape in the basement of some wharehouse is that folder with that info.
Well said.
Here is the latest e-mail I have from the bro-in-law:
Hello friends and family,
I haven't written in a while, so I thought that I would send you all a brief update on what is going on with me here in Mosul, Iraq. Things here are quiete most of the time, but make no mistake about it, we are in a war. Often I here the warning sirens go off, and I retreat to my bunker, which is right outside my door. The sirens go off and sometimes I hear and feel the impact of the mortar or artillery round, sometimes not.
My new job as a convoy commander keeps me on the roads most of the time. We escort up to 90 semi trucks to and from Habur Gate near the Turkish boarder. It is challenging, because they always break down and we are responsible for getting the trucks running. To add to the challenges, all the trucks are driven by third country nationals (usually Pakistanis, Aghgans, and Turks). Our convoys often span the distance of 10-15 miles.
I usually sleep in another camp, coming back to Mosul once every three days. The roads inside the city are littered with so much trash and rubble that it is difficult to tell where the enemy is hiding the roadside bombs. In the country outside the city, they usually bury the Improvised explosive devices (IED) so you don't see them either. Our company has had many IEDs go off on our convoys, but fortunately no serious injuries. We have great equipment that protects us from most of these blasts, so Mom don't worry.
On a positive note, on one of my last convoys, I went through the ruins of Nineva (remember Jonaha and the whale?). It was dark, but I could see the huge walls surrounding Nineva as we entered the city of Mosul. I could not help but think to myself, "This is the cradle of civilization, the holy land, and we are fighting this crazy war right in the middle of it."
I continue to get support from home. I received some care packages and mail from friends and family everywhere. Thank you. It means a lot to hear about familiar things, especially when it involves people that I love and care about. I truly feel your thoughts and prayers guide me.
I hope and pray that all is well with each of you.
God Bless,
Nate
