Message from Fireman

[wolf]

I received a PM from fireman this morning, indicating, basically, that once more he was running the wrong way ... his convoy was apparently headed out finally, and they received orders to turn around and head back in. He doesn't know when he'll next have access to electronic communications. I'll let folks know of any communiques I receive, if he doesn't post directly here.

I wish him and his compatriots well.

(for those that don't remember, fireman is in Iraq.)

[jaguar]

Ai. Poor bastard. Good luck.

[Undertoad]

Yup. Yup yup yup. That means they are probably keeping an extra 20,000 troops around through the redeployment in case the shit hits the fan.

He needs extra big thanks now and when his work is done there.

[warch]

Anyone heard from Tobiasly?

[wolf]

I was just wondering about him. Hopefully he's home hugging the wife and having the dog sleep at his feet by now.

[warch]

Or visa versa, however they get comfy.

[Beestie]

::Beestie executing crisp salute::

[Elspode]

Originally posted by Undertoad
Yup. Yup yup yup. That means they are probably keeping an extra 20,000 troops around through the redeployment in case the shit hits the fan.

He needs extra big thanks now and when his work is done there.

From what I'm hearing on NPR today, much of the shit has hit a substantial portion of fan. Anyone worried how much this "Shia uprising" will spread?

I hope that Fireman, and all of our troops, are as safe as the situation allows. Gods protect them all.

[Undertoad]

Some U.S. Troops May Stay Longer in Iraq

American forces are in the midst of a rotation, as troops who have been there a year are replaced by fresh forces. That gives the United States the advantage of thousands of extra forces there during the switch over to deal with new fighting that has broken out in cities across the country.

"We're taking advantage of that increase, and we will likely be managing the pace of the redeployments to allow those seasoned troops with experience and relationships with the local populations to see the current situation through," Rumsfeld said.

Officials stressed that no decision on troops had not been made.

Abizaid has been looking into the question of where additional troops would come from, should they be needed. Abizaid spoke with President Bush (news - web sites) and his national security team via a secure video conference call Wednesday and did not ask for extra troops, a senior defense official said after the news conference.

Asked if orders to go home had been put on hold, the official said, "Not yet." That official spoke on condition of anonymity.

"Not yet"... but we know the truth!!!! Bwahahahaha!!

[richlevy]

Originally posted by Undertoad
Some U.S. Troops May Stay Longer in Iraq



"Not yet"... but we know the truth!!!! Bwahahahaha!!

While watching the latest news from Iraq I still think back to GWB and that (*^(*&^ing 'Mission Accomplished' banner. I don't think the hubris was that bad even during the first years in Vietnam.

When my son got his selective service form in the mail I told him that I think that there is a %20 chance that the draft will come back in the next 6 years. I'll know more when I hear the reenlistment numbers next year.

I recently bought a used CD of a 1989 Greenpeace concert. Every time I think of that 'Mission Accomplished' sign on that aircraft carrier, I think of World Party's song Ship of Fools. That song with that image would make a powerful statement, if it weren't for the possibility of it being misconstrued as a criticism of the servicepeople on the ship.

If you limit it to GWB and his cabinet, the song is perfect.

Ship Of Fools by World Party

We're setting sail to a place on the map
From which no-one has ever returned
Drawn by the promise of the joker and the fool
By the light of the crosses that burned
Drawn by the promise of the wormen and lace
And the gold and the cotton and pearls
It's the place where they keep all the darkness you need
You sail away from the light of the world on this trip, baby

You will pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow

Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this Ship of Fools, no, no
Oh, you've got to save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this Ship of Fools
I want to run and hide
Right now

Avarice and greed are gonna drive you over the endless sea
They will leave you drifting in the shallows
Drowning in the oceans of history
Traveling the world, you're in search of no good
But I'm sure you'll build your Sodom like you knew you would
Using all the good people for your galley slaves
As your little boat struggles through the warning waves
But you don't pay

You will pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow
You're gonna pay tomorrow

Oh, save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with this Ship of Fools
Oh, you've got to save me, save me from tomorrow
I don't want to sail with no Ship of Fools

Oh, where's it coming from
Where's it going now
It's just a, it's just a Ship of Fools

[Fireman]

Well, folks....guess what. Im still here. We had to turn around real fast in the middle of the trip and come back. I dont know how long we will be here, but we are asured that since our turn around is 12-18 months, that we will go home soon. I am currently on day 448 days now, and still counting. I dont know how long, or how often I can use the i-net so I will keep this short. Things are looking messy, The name Custer comes to mind.(LOL) Anyway. Please supports us troops here, even if you dont suport the idea of being here,(Radar), support the people out here. Help the moral of your fellow Americans. Thank you agein, I will contact you all when I can.

Originally posted by Fireman
Please supports us troops here, even if you dont suport the idea of being here,(Radar), support the people out here. Help the moral of your fellow Americans. Thank you agein, I will contact you all when I can.

Hey, fireman! You hang in there, and come home safe, OK? My Dad was career military - fought in WWII, Korea, and two tours in 'Nam. I also have a friend who served in the first Gulf War. If there's any guys in your unit who'd like a letter from the States, PM me, and I'll see what I can do.

[Elspode]

Keep your eyes open and your ass down, Fireman!

[Fireman]

I have good news........and bad news.......

The good news is that we are coming home.
The bad news is........we dont know when.
I will try to make it on the i-net as often as I can to keep everyone informed. Please keep supporting our troops out here. Their moral depends on the support of people back home.
I thank you agein from the bottom of my heart, to all of you that have been supporting the personnel out here.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Support the warfighters overseas? Damn straight, we're Americans too.