Larry C Johnson Recieves Message From Someone On the Ground In Iraq

[kpete]

On the Ground in Iraq
by
Larry C Johnson

I received the following from a friend in the U.S. military who is currently serving in Iraq. I've changed some of the identifying details to protect the author:

I wrote to you several months ago about the deterioration in the Junior Officer Corps. I can say that that story of several JO’s leaving is true, having confirmed it through several friends. That, however is not why I write to you today. I am currently serving in Iraq and have a few words about this place.

First of all, and most importantly, we are doing no good here. There is nothing we can do at this point to end the fighting. It has become systematic throughout the country. The corruption is indeed as they say in the press. It is impossible, even if America wanted to, to reconstruct anything because the men that could and should assist have been fired by those who are corrupt and in power. Additionally, those that do want to make a change are hampered by a constitution that is, at best, a joke. The Iraqi constitution is an amalgamation of old and new, federal and central. The result is an inability to get anything done at the provincial level, with regards to reconstruction, because most decisions are made by the central government. Nothing can be enforced because of federalism. Thus the mess is structural, cultural, and created by the United States.

I do not say these things lightly. I have witnessed this first hand, through meeting locals. I have also done much research on the structural issues. I am also so fed up with this mess. I honestly came to this country hoping, despite my politics, to at least do some good. Yet, now all I want is for us to get out as soon as possible. I do not speak in isolation. Nearly every military and civilian I work with feels the same aimless drift here. Especially since the election, we are all waiting and hoping that something will be decided soon. We all hope that we are not held hostage to political games in Washington We all know that this is a fight not worth fighting and with no possible chance for “victory”. Thus, we hope for change as soon as possible so that we may get out before a sniper finds us, or an IED destroys us. We see that it is only going to get worse for us.

more at:
http://noquarter.typepad.com/my_weblog/2006/11/on_the_ground_i.html

[Kagemusha]

1. Your link vanished, FYI.

So no one has to look hard:

http://noquarter.typepad.com/

And thanks for posting, it is interesting reading.

[sniffa]

2. this can't possibLy be true

haven't you seen the hundreds of identicaL Letters sent out from 'troops on the ground' about buiLding schooLs, and handing out candy, and how it's not as bad as the LiberaL media cLaims.

who you gonna beLieve? one guy's Letter, or some chain maiL?

[Scriptor Ignotus]

21. why are your L's capitalized?

is that your trademark? ;)

[lyonn]

3. Ugh, so sad but, probably so true

This war was wrong from day one and has progressed to a pure disaster for the Iraqis and the U.S. The sentence that grabbed me was:

"We all hope that we are not held hostage to political games in Washington We all know that this is a fight not worth fighting and with no possible chance for “victory”."

Larry Johnson has not proved himself to be a bull sh--er, just the opposite, he's a voice of reality and common sense.

Just read a copy of letter from Ray McGovern, ex-cia, to Levin encouraging Levin to get tough on Gates during the nomination process. Let us hope Levin doesn't let America down! What happened to the "courageous American" that stood up for their country no matter?

[Straight Shooter]

4. "Aimless drift." That totally sums up the so-called course in Iraq.

The corrupt are in power, the constitution is a joke. Wow, no one could have anticipated that. :eyes:

[tblue37]

8. New Bush slogan:

"Stay the aimless drift!"

[Straight Shooter]

11. LOL. Doesn't have quite the same macho punch, does it? n/t

[TheMadMonk]

22. Stir up the hornets. Is my take. n/t

[truedelphi]

5. Thanks for this report. The proof is in the pudding

And if Halliburton is not even bothering to get clean drinking water for our troops, we can only imagine what the Halliburton - Kellogg Brown and Root contingency will be doing for the Iraqi people.

So far, those companies contracting in Iraq have proven effective in only one thing - looting the reconstruction funds.

[blm]

6. At the point the US military knew the war could not be won, the continuation of it

became an act of IMMORALITY by the US government. Just as Vietnam became immoral when it was known there was no military success to be had.

[file83]

16. I'd argue that the Bush administration knew it could NEVER be won, but that was never

the point. All they wanted was a war. If it couldn't be won, all the better - just more corporate profits.

They never gave a single shit about what the US Military did or did not "think". Their attitude (and many others) is that the job of the military isn't to think, it's to DO. Bush (and all around him) had ONE goal in mind: make money.

Like Bush said: Mission Accomplished.

The war was STARTED. That was the mission.

[Raster]

7. It doesn't take a political fucking genius to see what needs to be done:

Madame Pelosi and Congress, BRING THESE KIDS HOME NOW! No more tap dancing. No more pandering. No more positioning. Bring the troops home now!

And if bush* wants someone to "stay the course," put his kids in uniform with substandard armor and send their asses to Iraq. Send the kids of power and privilege. Bring the others home.

on edit: You can color and spin last week's election any way you wish. The undeniable truth is that Iraq defeated bushco*. The citizens of this country spoke loudly and clearly: get out of Iraq and bring our kids home NOW! Ignore this message at your own peril. The anti-war movement is this country IS JUST GETTING STARTED. We are sick and tired of the Military/Industrial machine consuming our country's resources, our kids and our souls.
:kick:14!

[conscious evolution]

12. well said !

BRING THEM HOME NOW!!!

[Raster]

14. Thank you and PASS IT ON!!!

Bring them home.

[gully]

9. "Bring em home!"

http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/

[Coexist]

10. that is so disheartening.

[WiseButAngrySara]

13. k(pete)nr! ....n/t

[fooj]

15. Bring them home. NOW!

[truedelphi]

17. Impeach.Ifeverthere was reason, there is reason here

And now. OVer 2,800 American reasons. Some 640 000 Iraqi reasons.

"As nightfall does not come at once, neither does oppression.
In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged.
And it is in such twilight that we all must be most aware of change in the air however slight lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness."
William O. Douglas,
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

[Imagevision]

18. "We all hope that we are not held hostage to political games" says it all...

[civildisoBDence]

19. Catch 22 all over again

I can't even imaging being in a life-threatening situation so patently absurd.

Newsprism

[goclark]

20. But where are the pictures of the schools?

Thanks for this first hand impression.

Just think, even with the Corporate Media in the hands of Barbara Starr, the TRUTH is coming out.

Bring our kids HOME, NOW!