Army Seeks to Mentally Toughen Troops

I read this article several times, and still wonder about its effectiveness. I am glad to see the Army is going to try and provide coping skills to soldiers who are depressed, angry etc and I really hope it does some good because our soldiers deserve the best.

But I wonder what truly is too blame for the problem? How about the fact that we are STILL in Iraq after six years, two years longer than we were in WWII? Or the fact that the troops are subjected to numerous extended deployments, short rest periods, and fighting an enemy that can not be seen which can wear even the toughest person down?

Yes, the troops that were in WWII had it tough as well, with constant battle and little downtime. However, there is a mental difference when you know you have been attacked (as the US was) and the need to beat the enemy before they kill you and more importantly, yours.

Let's face it: Iraq (as opposed to Afghanistan) was never a threat to US safety, so it is hard to deal with the crap our soldiers have to deal with on a daily basis when there is no "threat" to your family to justify the bullsh*t.

Just my two pennies worth...

US Troops to exit Iraq

Sweet! Although it is about about seven years too late: US troops to exit Iraq by2010

Iraq Elections

Good for them: Iraq holds peaceful elections, Obama, U.N. applaud

Too bad this did not happen two weeks ago when Bush was still in office. Although I doubt the press would have been so congratulatory since the success of the elections might have shown that Bush's plan was working...

Waterboarding

Thank God someone in Obama's inner sanctum has a brain

Do they really think you can just ask "pretty please, will you tell us where the rest of the bad guys are" and they will tell you???

Gtimo closure

Good question: If Not Gitmo, Then Where Should Detainees Be Held?

Obama: "Close Gitmo in one year"

US Military: "Yes, Sir. So where do we put them?"

Obama: "umm"


Another cart before the horse episode for Obama.

Bush and the shoe episode

I see in the news that an art gallery in Portland has opened up a new exhibit where patrons can throw their shoes at an image of Bush in a " 'statement of solidarity' with Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist who was arrested after hurling two shoes at Mr Bush in protest during a Baghdad news conference last month." Gallery has shoe throw at Bush

My opinion? If there is any doubt that despite the original misinformation that led to the invasion, this illustrates that Iraq has changed and for the better. Can you imagine what would have happened to that individual had he thrown his shoe at a visiting head of state under Saddam's regime? He would have lived long enough to get dragged out and shot . Instead, he gets arrested (as anyone one would for attempted assault) and both the Iraqi media and the rest of the world can hail him as a "hero."

In a truly democratic society, you have the right to protest decisions you disagree with and people you have issues with. Iraq may be a mess, but they are on their way to becoming a much more open and free society.

Having said that, there isn't jack sh*t in Iraq worth one GIs life.