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DEL.ICIO.USU.S. base in Iraq offers no safety
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
BAGHDAD — This is a different sort of fear, the kind that can do a number on your head. You begin to live with the chilling notion that you can die a gruesome death at a random moment, in a random place.
“You think you’re on a FOB, that you’re going to be safe,” says Spc. Juan Herrera, 25. “The fact of the matter is they can get you right here.”
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| Curtis Compton/AJC |
| Soldiers fill a bunker during a mortar attack at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Arab Jabour, Iraq, Tuesday, March 25, 2008. View more photos |
Forward Operation Base Falcon is the current home to Herrera’s unit, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment from Fort Stewart. Rockets and mortar rounds have slammed into this base southeast of the Iraq capital since mid-March. One soldier has been killed.
The attacks give new meaning to the common statement about Iraq: There are no front lines here. The war is everywhere.
After 10 most nights, the soldiers at Falcon unwind with music, a movie, a shower. Many are back in their tents and on their cots, spent after a hot, strenuous day.
Then comes the ominous whistle overhead. Immediately, the soldiers begin dropping to the ground. Everyone knows what’s coming.
Boom! Boom!
The earth shakes. Bottles of Gatorade and mp3 players fall from shelves. Obscenities fly.
“Go, go, go!” someone shouts.
They scramble to grab helmets and body armor. And run into darkness, all the time hoping another rocket won’t explode before they can get inside something more solid than plywood and tarp.
Like bees to a hive, the soldiers hurtle toward the nearest bunker, encased in 9-inch-thick concrete.
“It keeps you on edge,” says Spc. Matt Brawner, 23, of LaGrange.
“You think about it all the time. You’re always looking over your shoulder,” says Sgt. Wes Marriner, 44, of Hull, Mass.
Imagine a quiet afternoon at home, listening to music or watching television. A bomb comes out of nowhere and destroys your world.
Private 1st Class Tyler Smith 22, of Bethel, Maine, was a sapper scout but on March 21, he wasn’t out in Baghdad clearing roads or shooting at insurgents. He was on this fortified base that gives, perhaps falsely, a sense of security.
He was killed when mortar rounds hit near his living quarters. He died when he had his guard down; when there was no expectation of death.
There was no warning, no chance to seek cover. Soldiers aren’t supposed to die in that fashion on the FOB, said Tyler’s squadron commander.
This is the constant stress of Iraq.
When soldiers roll out of the gates of a military base, when they go “outside the wire,” they learn to expect certain things. They have their game-face on. They are mentally prepared, as much as they can be, to be targeted, to be shot at, to drive over an improvised explosive device.
But these days at Falcon, the soldiers are vulnerable in their beds.
The barrage of attacks on Falcon is part of a recent escalation of violence in Iraq that recently tipped the U.S. death toll over 4,000. The soldiers speculate that warmer weather brings out the insurgents.
Recent news reports suggest that the bloodshed is related to rising anger within the ranks of the Mahdi Army militia, led by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
Black humor in the dark
Private Smith’s death on Good Friday cast a pall over Easter weekend and beyond.
Soldiers at Falcon are under orders to wear full body armor all day. The base feels desolate; no one wants to walk around carrying 70 pounds of extra weight. Or wander far from the bunkers.
Easter decorations in the dining facility were bright and festive — colorful eggs and bunnies and an ice sculpture. But the tables were empty. Safety regulations required everyone to get a plate to go.
The 1-30 Infantry has soldiers scattered at several bases near Falcon: patrol bases Red, Murray and Hawks and two smaller outposts farther south. The unit was part of the surge, and the idea was for soldiers to live among the local populace, not commute to work.
Falcon is a fairly large and established U.S. military base. The 1-30 soldiers living at the smaller facilities rotate through here so they can eat a decent hot meal, get a haircut, shop at the PX or use a bathroom with a flushing toilet.
But at the moment, they are glad to stay away. Last Tuesday, the sirens rang as late as 11 p.m. after a day of constant runs to the bunkers. On Thursday, a rocket whizzed through the air, again late at night. Friday, the sirens for incoming rounds rang past midnight.
As the rockets rain down, soldiers huddle between the barriers in the dark and wait for more booms.
“Get down. Get low. They’re close,” comes an order from a sergeant.
Hearts are racing. Everyone is thinking the same thing.
Every few seconds, a face is illuminated in the glow of another cigarette lighting up. Nervous small talk is interrupted only by crackling radios. And occasional black humor.
“You know why they put up fences around graveyards?” asks one soldier. “Because everyone is dying to get in.”
Lulls only temporary
Every night, I push back the time when I take a shower for fear of being caught in an unprotected area of the base during an attack. Friday night, I have just put shampoo on my head when I hear that all-too-familiar whiz. Then the sirens. “Incoming! Incoming!” I drop to my knees inside the plastic shower stall.
For a few seconds, I am paralyzed, not knowing whether to stay in the shower or run. Run where? And expose myself to the attack? I have no body armor or helmet.
Finally, I manage to get clothes on and sprint to a bunker, shampoo still in my hair.
Someone else has been caught in midshower. He is there in his black Army shorts and flip-flops. You keep laughing to get through the ordeal.
Spc. Francisco Martinez is standing in his socks on dirt and gravel. He was sleeping and had no time to put on boots. “At least they match,” one of his platoon mates says.
Martinez, 25, of Lubbock, Texas, doesn’t look down at his feet, doesn’t respond to his friend. He contemplates the war: “It’s not like a video game.”
Relief comes finally through the loudspeaker: “All clear!”
But everyone knows the lull is temporary.
The medics ask if the soldiers are OK. A few days ago, I watched the medics run instinctively toward the place where mortar rounds exploded, stretchers and medical bags in their hands.
They wore no body armor, no helmets. They were doing what they are trained to do: seek out the injured. I don’t know many people with the courage to run toward bombs.
There’s not much you can do when you’re hit by an incoming rocket or a mortar round. You can’t fight back. All you can do is hope that it doesn’t send shrapnel slicing through your body.
Nearing their 12th month of a tough 15-month deployment, 1-30 soldiers are starting to turn their thoughts on going home this summer. With rounds slamming into Falcon almost every day, they say they just want to stay alive to see their families again.
“Everyone wants a break,” Herrera says. “We’re not going to get it.”
Marriner, the sergeant from Massachusetts who is on his second tour of Iraq, has a solution: “I’m going to put a bunk bed in the bunker for the next three freakin’ months.”
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By Hellinahandbasket
March 29, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
My soldier is in a combat outpost near Baghdad and from all the news reports is right in the ‘thick’ of things. No one understands the fear we and others who have family members there live in every day. When there is a news report that a soldier(s) has died and the name is withheld pending notification of family..we all hold out breaths, praying for mercy as we wait to hear the name. If it is not our soldier we feel relief but that quickly turns to sadness knowing that another one of our own, another brave soldier has paid the ultimate price. The sad thing is the reality of their sacrifice is forgotten by the American people and the government who sent them to war. What they endure on a daily basis is incredible and that they do endure it is amazing. Our soldier is one of many who was injured during training before being deployed, denied medical care and sent to Iraq anyway injured and abused mentally and physically by the Army medical staff. An ‘investigation’ was done at the behest of no less than 5 families and the results were as expected…nothing was done, no punishment for those on the medical staff who abused and neglected the injured soldiers and no treament. I pray everyday that my soldier and others injuries will not keep them from defending themselves and their battle buddies. To those of you who say well they volunteered, yes they did but in the contract they sign the Army promises them basic medical care, basic human rights and my soldier nor many thousands of others were given those rights. The Army lied from recruiter, to drill sargent, to CO, to Inspector General, they denied my soldier, OUR soldiers the dignity and respect they all deserve for all that they sacrifice. War is a awful thing but being abandoned by those you serve with is unforgiveable.
By Galoco_lee
March 29, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Dear Hellin…, In all honesty I’m truly sorry for your situation. I do appreciate you sacrifice.
Myself after spending 20 months at the most highly attacked base in Iraq, Camp Anaconda the logic center in Balad was better known a “Mortarville”. Yes, I visited bunkers on many, many occassions. We all recognized that we were in a war zone.
But for the AJC to title the article as they have is a gross inaccuracy. I also guarantee you that they selectively chose who and what to quote for this article. The entire article is a grossly inaccurate picture of life at an FOB. Don’t expect any other articles by their two reporters to be any more favorable. It’s the nature of the US media.
Candidly, I personally felt safer in Iraq than going into downtown Atlanta at nite. The truth be known twice as many Georgians die on highways than do troops in Iraq.
Myself I was medivac’d out of Iraq and can state emphatically that the medical care I recieved was top rate - 1000% better than the medical attention I received in a civilian hospital.
Again I appreciate your families sacrifice and I want you to know that many other Americans who do not have family members in harm’s way do appreciate your sacrifice.
But please don’t put too much stock in anything you read in this newspaper.
By Mike
March 29, 2008 10:51 PM | Link to this
Typical partisan propaganda from the AJC. They ignore the war during lulls in the violence and “rediscover” it as soon as the violence is up.
The AJC does not care at all about reporting the truth. As this absurdly biased article shows, all they are interested in is molding public opinion to their own partisan views. Ethics play no part in decision making at the AJC.
Fortunately, the AJC is among the nation’s leaders in declining circulation. Atlanta has seen this type of dishonest reporting for years and are tired of subsidizing transparent efforts to undermine American morale.
By Peter
March 29, 2008 10:53 PM | Link to this
Moni Basu, thanks for your recent update from Iraq. After five years of “progress,” we are nowhere. The “surge” has simply become another escalation of the quagmire with no end in sight.
The troops are getting no more support from our government than lip service. There is no plan but to continue the agenda at any cost until the inauguration when someone else can assume the responsibility.
By Reality
March 29, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Right, there are roadside bombs and peole blowing themselves up in downtown Atlanta. Cut the crap. Anything to bash Atlanta.
By Mike
March 29, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
If anyone wants to read some meaningful analysis, the NY Times apparently has some journalists who want to educate their reader instead of foist their narrow views on them:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/world/middleeast/30assess.html
Perhaps of the AJC reported more honestly, folks like Peter would not be claiming that things haven’t changed.
By Galoco_lee
March 29, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
And Peter you know what your are talking about because…… Why? Sounds like Moni is your piper…
By Mike
March 29, 2008 11:08 PM | Link to this
Galoco_lee -
Don’t you worry abut Peter. He has read lots of bumper stickers.
By Peter
March 29, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
As an active duty veteran of the Vietnam War era I saw the “Winter Soldier” hearings of my generation change the message. Testimony from returning soldiers from Iraq have established a new reality today.
No doubt you would say they, too, are lying.
By Mike
March 29, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Hmmm. Now I understand. Peter gets his news (and talking points)from the A.N.S.W.E.R., which was founded by Communists and is run by them still. Their web site describes their steering committee as:
IFCO/Pastors for Peace Free Palestine Alliance - U.S. Haiti Support Network Partnership for Civil Justice - LDEF Nicaragua Network Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines Korea Truth Commission Muslim Student Association - National Kensington Welfare Rights Union Mexico Solidarity Network Party for Socialism and Liberation
Of course, I shouldn’t scoff. A.N.S.W.E.R. is probably politically to the right of the AJC staff.
By jteems
March 29, 2008 11:36 PM | Link to this
If it’s SO dangerous, why are reporters over there? Oh yeah- reporters are the brave ones doing an important job… yeah right. I have 2 cousins who have served in Iraq and both say the media is full of S*. All these bombs go off everyday for years and only one casualty the media can come up with? And then they act as though someone dies every 5 minutes. I appreciate EVERYTHING our service men and women do for us and hope for the safe return of every one of them. They understand the risk they are in. They sign up voluntarily and understand the danger involved in this decision. If the MEDIA was required to interview every single soldier before they could print an article I think everyone would see a different story coming out of Iraq.
By 56_Patriot
March 29, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Our President and VP make unannounced visits to Iraq while prez of Iran makes announced visits yet some blame media for not reporting the real Iraq story. Some folks try to lump not supporting the Iraq war with not supporting the troops but I know my son is more than a slogan or some magnetic made in China faux ribbon. We can agree to disagree w/o resorting to name calling or belittling someone with a different opinion.
By Hellinahandbasket
March 30, 2008 12:02 AM | Link to this
GALOCO_LEE: my news isn’t just from the ajc and i know where my soldier is…amongst those that were attacked just over the past 5 days. i also know what inhumane treatment my soldier received at the hands of the medical staff at fort benning along with many others that were there at the same time. i know too of the investigation launched into the abuses and neglect there, launched because the families of at least 5 soldiers complained. one family appearing on cnn. i know too that fort benning has been the focus of several investigations into their medical abuse and neglect and still nothing is done. so far as believing the ajc…at one time i would have never believed the army would be so unscruplous, so deceitful and without compassion or care for its members but unfortunately with all that my family and my soldier has been through over the last few months and the amount of research i have done concerning the issues confronting our brave young men and women i have no doubt the ajc is being honest. once a proud supporter of our military but especially the army i was appalled at what i found concerning our army’s treatment of our wounded soldiers and i was ashamed that so many hid these shameful acts for their own benefit. so no, i don’t believe my soldier is safer in iraq than in atlanta. there are not hordes of men with ak-47’s, rpg’s and ieds laying in wait for us at underground. and if by chance we are hurt downtown you can bet we can at least get some medical care and we won’t be sent back to try and survive on a broken foot. i used to believe the army but the lies and deceit, cover up and the’disappearing’ of damning facts against them make it impossible for me to ever trust anything they ever say again.
By Mike
March 30, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
56_Patriot:
You seem to be complaining about things that no one here said. No one has called anyone names and no one has questioned anyone’s patriotism.
By Know the Truth
March 30, 2008 12:17 AM | Link to this
if you think the fob’s are dangerous what do you think the cop’s and jss’ are like?
their everyday schedule: not getting but one ‘hot’ meal a day, 4 days ‘rest’ every month or so, no showers, too dangerous to go out in the day time because of snipers,mail every so often… yeah, they got it nice and cushy over there and i’m sure would be scared to go downtown because its much more dangerous than iraq…yeah, right.
By been there, done that...
March 30, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
yeah, fob’s are a lot safer than cop’s (combat outposts) and jss’ (joint security stations) which aren’t in the ‘green zone’ , everyone thinks if you’re in the green zone everything is safe, nope, the insurgents are supplied with first class weapons from iran so they can pretty much blast the hell out of you all the time, wearing our troops done. and fyi bro, its just a tad more dangerous than atlanta..guaranteed.
By 56_Patriot
March 30, 2008 12:36 AM | Link to this
Mike You’re right in this regard - the AJC is not a person - but I still stand by my statement. Let us agree to disagree w/o resorting to name calling or belittling someone with a different opinion.
By U GOT THAT RIGHT !
March 30, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
bottom line: the war suck, our brave ones die for nothing, the government doesn’t care, the army uses, abuses, denies and lies…nothing new and nothing changes.
obama, hillary, mccain, doesn’t matter which one gets it as our loved ones still die in whatever you want to call it (fob, cop or jss)in a foreign land for no reason at all.
By Mike
March 30, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
56_Patriot -
I agree that we should not belittle people for their opinions.
On the other hand, this is not supposed to be an opinion piece. It is not in the op-ed section and should be considered news. I agree that it clearly an opinion piece and that is part of my complaint with the AJC.
I am also criticizing the consistancy of their coverage. Like their their coverage of the economy, they only cover some news out of Iraq: the bad news.
The media is a critical part of our democracy. Their performance should be held up to the same level of scrutiny as the government, as they have as large a role in the shaping of our pulblic policy. The AJC has chosen to ignore their role as providers of unbiased facts and instead have focused on shaping public opinion.
By Fred
March 30, 2008 1:21 AM | Link to this
Anyone who has read the AJC more than twice and does not realize that they call their editorializing “news” is a complete idiot.
The sad thing is that the youngsters like this Moni chick actually THINK they are “reporting”. This is what they have been taught; propaganda, not journalism. As is typical with leftists, they think we, the unwashed masses are too stupid to understand the “news” or events without their interpretation of them. They are taught the principals of Herr Goebbels, who “interpreted” the turning of 6 million jews into an ash pile for the “masses.” He did such a good job that even today there are idiots who say it is a lie. Unfortunately though, Moni and Goebbels were right. Too many people are too stupid to know truth from lies. for instance:
Did it ever occur to anyone here who posted for or against this piece of propaganda to question the 70 lb figure for body armor? Even the so called soldier who “spent 20 months” in Iraq did nothing to dispel THAT lie. Think about it folks? 70 lbs of body armor? What are they wearing? Plate metal like the knights in King Arthur’s Court? Give me a break. Technology has improved body armor to where now it weighs less and protects better than it did in Viet Nam and it NEVER weighed 70 lbs in Viet Nam. Just damn.
How about the imnplied stupidity she imparts upon the troops? I mean if YOU were getting shelled every night would YOU not be expecting it and maybe think about keeping your body armor on? I mean these are professional soldiers TRAINED in the art of war. America fields the most highly trained armed forces the world has ever seen, yet Moni makes them sound like Gomer freaking Pyle with a whine attitude. Does that not strike anyone else as false?
Last but not least, did no one explain to Moni that she was going to a WAR ZONE? Hello? McFly?
But please, carry on with your insipid political ramblings. You prove her point. We as a people are stupid and easily led.
Meanwhile, our children are dying for nothing but a politicians quest for power………..
By 56_Patriot
March 30, 2008 2:09 AM | Link to this
Thanks Folks - I may not agree 100% with some of these opinions but I respect that they are coherent opinions. “If it bleeds it leads” is the first rule of all media but the “news” if more like a Jerry Springer show. Just like negative campaigning,”We say we don’t like it”, but it WORKS. We say alot of things but our actions don’t seem to match. I’m still trying to get over the fact that the media did’nt question our leaders instead of being a willing participant to the Iraq War. Most of the people I know seem to be suffering from war fatigue, they could care less about any happy touchy feely news coming out of Iraq if it doesn’t involve our troops coming home. What scares me more than all of the media pushing their opinion as news is the people who can’t or won’t form their own opinion but parrot the talking points of whatever media they subscribe to.
By Deployed Soldier
March 30, 2008 3:58 AM | Link to this
I am deployed solider. The base where the reorter s talking about is near the green zone which is where the recent targeting has been. It make a statement likethe “war is everywhere” paints a picture of chaois and retreat. There are dozens of FOBs and COBs in Iraq who egt nothing. What is going on now is a power struggle between roque elements of Al-Sadr’s militia and the Iraqi government and just like those factions in Faluljah a couple of years ago, they will be defey ated. There are many a solider here performing their duty extremely well. To deny there is not a upswing right now would irresponsible, but in the end they will be defeated. How ironic this happens right before Petraus is supposed to give his report to Congress. It just illustrats how giving the enemy any typ of date can be taken advantage of.
By N-GA
March 30, 2008 4:18 AM | Link to this
I’m in the middle of reading Charlie Wilson’s War. It reads like a novel, but it isn’t fiction.
I’m not happy if Iran, Russia, China et al may be supplying the insurgents with sophisticated weapons. I hate it that Americans are dying in Iraq. But let’s understand the hypocrisy of whining that other countries are supplying weapons. The USA has done the same thing for years. Remember the Contras? And the Afghanistan fighters got almost all their weapons from the CIA (reference Charlie Wilson). It makes it a little more difficult to talk about when you acknowledge that our government has routinely done the same thing. Do you think that the wives and mothers of the 28,000 Russian soldiers who died in Afghanistan really care where the bullets came from? Perhaps they do, but their loss is no less painful.
The best way to support our troops is to bring them home safely. They were sent there for indefensible reasons, and they have been left there in an attempt to mitigate the foolishness of the original mistake.
By DLink
March 30, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
http://www.newsweek.com/id/38202
War is hell, but if I must understand, I will look.
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2003/iraq/forces/casualties/
Should I force myself to understand the cost, in numbers I can understand.
There are some few of us connected via IM to the field of warfare. We didn’t used to have that in previous wars, but damned if I won’t support these guys who risk their lives every day, because we told them to do it. The USN supports the troops in the field, as will I.
By rmorrow
March 30, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this
This is bad reporting. Really bad reporting. She forgot to say the sky is falling.
By Greg
March 30, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this
That’s what you get for illegally occupying another country. What, did you expect they would greet you flowers? Opps, Cheney did. Get out of Iraq now. Tell your superiors and higher ups you need to get out of the illegal occupation now soldiers.
By rmorrow
March 30, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
Greg, let me guess. You also want the soldiers to turn their weapons on their imperialist dog leaders.
Liberals make me laugh.
By Greg
March 30, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
Morrow,
No, I said to demand to have the U.S. military out of Iraq. It is an illegal occupation and everyone knows it. We are causing more problems than we are “solving”. Also, Iraqis have the right to solve their own problems without our inerference and outside poltics interfering. Americans wouldn’t have stood for an outside country interfering in our civil war.
By Peter
March 30, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this
Greg - Cheney actually was against going to Baghdad before he invaded. Note he used the word “QUAGMIRE.”
By Phillip Almand
March 30, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this
My son is currantly in FOB Falcon, he is in the 3RD infantry division. Not the 30th like the article states, you can see the 3rd ID patches on the soldiers arms. If they can’t get this small detail right how can they be trusted to print the truth about our soldiers. Pray for these guys over there fighting for our freedom. Army Dad
By Mike
March 30, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this
Peter -
Don’t you have any more socialist propaganda from A.N.S.W.E.R. that you can share with us? You know the group that you cited earlier that was is a Communist organiztion that is ideologically opposed to anything a non-Communist nation does?
By Mike
March 30, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Anyone here notice the contempt shown by the soldiers and their families for the AJC? I guess they are tired of partisans using their mission as a politcal football. Of course, the AJC cares far less about our success in Iraq than they do the results of the 2008 election.
By N-GA
March 30, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
Hey Mike,
What exactly is the mission of our soldiers in Iraq? What was their mission when the US first invaded? When will their mission be considered complete?
What evidence do you have that the organization that Peter cited is “Communist”? Do you know the difference between Communism and Socialism?
BTW, you posted: {{{Anyone here notice the contempt shown by the soldiers and their families for the AJC?}}}. Did you read the first post from hellinahandbasket?
I don’t need to call you names, Mike. What you are is obvious to almost everyone who reads one of your pathetic posts.
By FOBS are safe???
March 30, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this
The FOBS are the worst over there. They have poor living conditions, bad food, terrible security. The camps however were much nicer, though there is really no safe place over there. I have no clue as to why Spc. Juan Herrera would say “You think you’re on a FOB, that you’re going to be safe,” says Spc. Juan Herrera, 25. “The fact of the matter is they can get you right here.” The FOBS suck!
By gman
March 30, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
I am a retired US Army First Sergeant and the proud parent of not one but two US Paratroopers. They both of 2 tours in Iraq or Afghanistan. They did their tours and came home with their heads held high, both committed to prevailing in the fight that lies ahead. To read some of these postings makes me wonder if some people have any understanding of war or the military at all. In this current fight our soldiers have performed superbly against an enemy that hides in the shadows or behind women and children. Yes our soldiers/Marines may have it tough in todays fights, but NO WHERE NEAR as tough as our fighting men in previous wars. They have state of the art body armor that weighs ABOUT 30 LBS, not 70lbs. Previous generations had their shirt. They have or will have vehicles capable of deflecting any weapon in the insurgents inventory. Previous generations had jeeps with no tops on them. They also have acess to telephones and internet service, none of which previous generations of soldiers had. Previous generations also never had 9 ft. thick concrete bunkers to shelter them from incoming rounds, just a foxhole. The health care they receive is second to none and it has saved thousands of lives. So yes it may be tough in Iraq or Afghanistan but it’s going to get a hell of a lot tougher!!!!!!
By Mike
March 30, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this
N-GA -
Just to be clear, my claim that A.N.S.W.E.R. is a communist organization is not some lame smear.They really are Communists. According to their site, their steering committtee is comprised of:
IFCO/Pastors for Peace Free Palestine Alliance - U.S. Haiti Support Network Partnership for Civil Justice - LDEF Nicaragua Network Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines Korea Truth Commission Muslim Student Association - National Kensington Welfare Rights Union Mexico Solidarity Network Party for Socialism and Liberation
Check out some of these sites. My favorite is the “Korea Truth Commission” which praises Kim Jong Il and his wonderful political system.
I did see the first post. Every single other one from a soldier or their family is disgustedf by the AJC. Of course, you focus in on the anomaly because you like what they say.
As for name callign. I never lower myself to that childish level. You do it all day, every day as you spend your entire life on AJC blogs.
Sorry that posts that utilize facts are so offensive to you. Why don’t you do your usual and go call someone a “chickenhawk” or a “neocon”. That should make you feel good for about 5 minutes.
By letsroll
March 30, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this
You can tell just by the way the reporters write they are liberal.The vast majority of the soldiers serving over there don’t agree with the liberal reporting you read.They think the medical care they are getting is good also. It’s just not as bad as some of the post I’ve read here. Some people just look for the worst in a situation and magnify it.
By Mike
March 30, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah. It looks like Sadr is capitulating to the recent Iraqi offensive. I’d post the link, but it is on the front page of every other news site in the country.
The AJC refuses to actually cover events in the war. Instead we get this politically slanted garbage. Oh yeay, they also cover any protest group that gets two people together to complain about Iraq.
By N-GA
March 30, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Mike,
I’ll just let you continue to broadcast your complete and utter lack of “smarts”.
Communism doesn’t accomodate religion, and your list of A.N.S.W.E.R. includes a couple of Muslim and Christian groups.
And just because your claim that the posters who are military or family of military here all hate the AJC was proven incorrect, no one would ever expect you to say you are wrong (kinda like Bush and his WMD’s).
Then you talk about name calling while you infer that people are Communists, or you refer to my posts as childish (no, you’re not name-calling!).
You contradict yourself with every post…and the readers need only draw their own conclusions. You embarrass not only yourself, but the cause you so blindly follow.
By Bita
March 30, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Phillip Almand: To be clear, the unit referred to is the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry REGIMENT, which is part of the 3rd Infantry Division. Make sure you understand what you’re reading before you accuse the reporter of a mistake.
By Dorie
March 30, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Embedded reporters tell the story from their slice of the war. Moni and Curtis are over there voluntarily relaying the events that they are experiencing. At this point FOB Falcon is taking on many attacks from insurgents and that is what is being reported without political commentary.
It is obvious that many of the hateful posters to this site come to the story with their minds made up “reading between the lines” to find their already established bias against the media.
I suggest you re-read the Georgians @ War series of articles to hear the admiration for the troops and their service in the articles. Look at the photos to see the soldiers treated with respect and honor.
Go back in to the archives to read the scores of articles and photographs taken on previous trips to Iraq. Read the comments from grateful family members. You’ll see the respect of the troops in each article and the gratitude of the families for relaying news of their loved ones in a respectful manner.
By Galoco_lee
March 30, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Here is the one all the fuss is about: http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/AntiSemi/12749.htm
By rmorrow
March 30, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Dorie, why don’t you read the comments from the soldiers and family members on this thread. They don’t seem very grateful. In fact, they seem to think the AJC is biased against the war.
Do you work at the AJC or have some other personal relationship with the writer?
By Greg Leathers
March 30, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
I love how some people say these guys in Iraq are fighting for our freedom. There can’t be a bigger lie. Iraq did not attack us on 9/11, nor were they linked to Al Qaeda before we illegally invaded, nor did they have wmd when we invaded. They were not a threat, yet some of you people continue to lie justify our illegal invasion or to make your son feel better. You should be telling your son or daughter serving there that they are there for a lie and you will do everything you can to get politicians to get us to leave Iraq now, because we are there illegally. That is how you honor the soldiers when Dumbya and other politicians sent them there for lies and are getting them killed.
By Peter
March 31, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Mike - your comments to me are more regarding the messenger than the message. I cite that our involvement in Iraq is creating violence by using military aggression and you respond that A.N.S.W.E.R. is behind the concept. Then I offer Cheney’s advice, that to go to Baghdad would create a quagmire, and there isn’t even an acknowledgement. (I didn’t say what an #$% he is.)
Please address the issues put forth.
By Dorie
March 31, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
to rmorrow: I’ve just read all the postings and comments and have since 2003. I see more positive feedback from family members over the past several years than the emotions shown in response to this one article.
I do admire the journalists and photojournalists who do a great job of covering difficult stories and treat victims with respect.
Read the entire body of work, look at the photographs, see the awards these journalists have received and look at their entire career. Don’t form an opinion over comments on one article.
By Patrick
April 6, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
I am an Armor Officer that just left Fob Falcon a couple months ago. This article is way over dramatized. I really want to let the american people, who seem to know nothing about the war or war in general, know what it is like in Iraq. First of all, I think the average american citizen is more likely to die in a car accident than a soldier living on a FOB is to die from a mortar or rocket. statistically. i mean there have been over a million soldiers/marines who have rotated in and out of iraq since the war began and… like maybe a couple hundred have died from mortars/rockets?… Let’s say that 1000 of the 4000 total killed in iraq died from mortars/rockets, thats like .1% of the total soldiers who go to iraq die from mortars/rockets. now i dont want to downplay the hazards of deploying to iraq but as a soldier but ive thought about the statistics. i thought about them pretty hard while i waited for my plane to leave for Kuwait.
then you must look at the jobs the soldiers do on a daily basis in iraq. for every combat soldier there are like ten support soldiers. the VAST majority of soldiers in iraq never leave the Fobs. never go on a combat patrol. never fire a shot in anger. never see a dead body. never have their tank hit by a roadside bomb or kill insurgents. so they spend 15 months on a huge base that has internet, tv, chow served four times a day, exercise equipment, air conditioning, f*** SHOPPING, etc. hell i remember reading online that people were having a hard time getting copies of the new harry potter book back in the states and then i went to the PX and see thousands of them stacked up. what im getting at is life isnt that bad on the FOB. the average soldier living on the FOB will tell you that they dont feel like they are in harms way. somehow reporters find those soldiers who are straight up d******* and they report how the sand in their vaginas is bothering them. then everyone in america thinks soldiers are experiencing something like trench warfare shelling or some b****** like that. compared to past wars our soldiers have it pretty damn good. we are the first army in history to gain weight during war. do you realize how telling that is?? our soldiers our getting fatter while they fight the war. they are consuming more calories than they are burning. this has never been the case for armies in the past.
By John Maszka
June 10, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
New Release: Terrorism And The Bush Doctrine by John Maszka ISBN-13: 9781606100103 Pub. Date: May 2008
“Terrorism and the Bush Doctrine is a must read for anyone concerned with terrorism. This title is both sensitive to the issue of terrorism and persuasive in its approach to solving it.”
Terrorism is perhaps the greatest challenge facing mankind in the twenty-first century. It has been researched, debated, analyzed and contemplated by some of the greatest minds on the planet. And yet no known solution exists. When putting out a fire, while it is important to know what type of fire it is before attempting to put it out, firefighters understand that the key to putting out any fire is to remove its source of oxygen. Likewise, terrorism depends on popular support to sustain itself. Without popular support, the majority of funding, recruits and overall acceptance will disappear. Therefore, the primary goal for eliminating terrorism is to eliminate the sources of popular support. This book argues that this has to be the standard approach and strategy. These pages examine three primary components of contemporary American foreign policy: unilateralism, preemption and military hegemony, as well as how they impact terrorism.
By John Maszka
June 10, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Controversial New Release: Terrorism And The Bush Doctrine by John Maszka ISBN-13: 9781606100103 Pub. Date: May 2008
“Terrorism and the Bush Doctrine is a must read for anyone concerned with terrorism. This title is both sensitive to the issue of terrorism and persuasive in its approach to solving it.”
Terrorism is perhaps the greatest challenge facing mankind in the twenty-first century. It has been researched, debated, analyzed and contemplated by some of the greatest minds on the planet. And yet no known solution exists. When putting out a fire, while it is important to know what type of fire it is before attempting to put it out, firefighters understand that the key to putting out any fire is to remove its source of oxygen. Likewise, terrorism depends on popular support to sustain itself. Without popular support, the majority of funding, recruits and overall acceptance will disappear. Therefore, the primary goal for eliminating terrorism is to eliminate the sources of popular support. This book argues that this has to be the standard approach and strategy. These pages examine three primary components of contemporary American foreign policy: unilateralism, preemption and military hegemony, as well as how they impact terrorism.