They Never Begged Me for Oil

[Solly Mack]

My husband came home from Iraq in April of 2004 after a year-long deployment. He’s told me some stories - mostly the humorous kind about latrines and chow, or something funny someone said or did.

He’s not big on telling the stories behind his nightmares.

Sometimes though, he drops a heart-stopper.

He and I were talking about the Iraq Study Group’s report yesterday and reading off the recommendations together when we got to those concerning Iraq’s oil when my husband said, quite angrily:

“They never begged me for oil”

I waited.

“The Iraqis - They asked me for water – but they never asked me for oil”

Still waiting.

They didn’t want oil – they wanted water”

“Most times I couldn’t help them”

Still silent.

“I wanted to help them. I needed to help them. Something to give that would justify to me, in some small way, that even though we shouldn’t be here, at least I tried to do some good to make the situation better – to help ease the suffering we were causing. But I couldn’t help them.”


He isn’t being ripped a part over liberation and spreading democracy. He never bought the lies.

Yet …

Deep in the nightmares of my husband’s slumbering conscious, he is being ripped a part because he couldn’t help the Iraqis. Because he couldn’t alleviate, even a little, some of the suffering America caused.

For the water he didn't have to give then, he will spend the rest of his life wet from tears he cries in his sleep.

[proud patriot]

1. !

:cry:

[Solly Mack]

16. Hey, proud patriot

It's people like you at DU that help make it all a little easier.

[proud patriot]

27. It's an honor Solly Mack

I'm glad to help . Tell your husband Thank You .
I hope his suffering subsides .

[ms liberty]

2. I am so sorry...

I imagine this is happening in families all across America. And it will be happening in the future to families all across America.

My heart breaks for you and your husband, and for everyone who will be dealing with this. And for everyone who has suffered from injuries, or the loss of their loved ones in this horrible, tragic, unnecessary war.

[Solly Mack]

10. Hi ms liberty

Thank you for your words of support.

[walldude]

3. K&R

Poignant....

[Solly Mack]

19. Hi, walldude

Thank you...for just being there

[madokie]

4. so sorry Solly Mack

I wish I had some answers but after all these years I don't think there's any

[Solly Mack]

11. Hey madokie

I don't think there are any answers either...just coping

(((madokie)))

[peacetalksforall]

5. This was a very emotional telling of his sorrow. Thank you for

posting. I am saving it. I hope he and the both of you find peace.

The fall out keeps coming and we're not talking about it:

The torment of our returning soldiers.

Some of our citizens are getting wealthy from the reconstruction following their destruction. We need to draw attention to their stockholders and Directors. Because we messed with their infrastructure which was working OK before we became the invaders.

People keep telling us that our current wars over oil will be nothing compared to the future wars over water.

[Solly Mack]

12. I agree

We need to expose those getting wealthy off the death and destruction of others

[novalib]

6. OMG!

THANK YOU for sharing that story!!

I feel so bad for your husband!

[Solly Mack]

13. Hi novalib

Thank you for your caring words.

[Suich]

7. *

:cry:

[Solly Mack]

17. Hugs to you, Suich

A burden shared is a burden eased. Thank you for allowing me to share with you.

[Skidmore]

8. Oh, Solly, my tears join his and yours.

I would that he could take comfort in knowing that in his heart he did what he could and what he was allowed to do. That he has the will to really help says much about what a good man he surely is.

Peace to you and him, and the world.

[Solly Mack]

14. Hey, Skidmore. Thank you.

Your kind words are much appreciated.

[Suziq]

9. I Am Crying . . . .

along with him. :cry:

[Solly Mack]

15. I like your "Stop the War" emoticon

(((Suziq)))

[leftchick]

18. oh Solly

There really are no words, just human comfort and compassion at this point. My heart and thoughts are with you, your husband, the thousands like him and every Million Iraqi this fucking illegal war is so devastating to.

:hug:

damn bush and cheney! :grr:

[Solly Mack]

22. Hiya leftchick

:hug:

Thank you. It helps just being able to come here and talk about it. I try not to let my eegit know how devastating his words can be...I'm afraid he'll clam up and not share the little he does share.

Thank you again...for caring.

[QuestionAll...]

20. thanks for telling, Solly.... nt

[Solly Mack]

23. Thank you, QuestionAll

for being here

[QuestionAll...]

25. and it's so nice of you to thank us individually...

that's so classy...

:huggles:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

21. saddest post ever.

:cry:

[Solly Mack]

24. ((((((lionesspriyanka)))))))

lots of hugs

[La Lioness Priyanka]

26. to you and yours too

[Karenina]

28. Solly...

:hug::loveya::hug:

[Solly Mack]

29. (((((Karenina)))))

As always :loveya:

[Raster]

30. Sadly, twenty. Put your arms around him and hold him tight...

bless you both.

[Solly Mack]

31. Thank you, Raster

I will.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

32. I am so sorry for this unnecessary pain... the pain to your

family, the pain to all soldier's families, the pain to our nation, the pain and anguish we continue to levy on the people and nation of Iraq. I am so sorry... :cry:

[Solly Mack]

36. Thank you for your words, BushDespiser12

Me too..I am so sorry for it all.

[bobthedrummer]

33. .

:grouphug:

[Solly Mack]

37. =)

(((((bobthedrummer))))

[tavalon]

34. That is heartwrenching

I hope he is able to find some peace someday. His heart was/is in the right place.

[Solly Mack]

38. Thank you, tavalon

What you said means a lot.

[seabeyond]

35. the thing... for him to remember. because he DOES feel the pain

because seeing others suffer does rip him apart, because he will sit in this nightmare of responsibility..... makes HIM humane. isnt that ironic. the truly sadder story are for those that are unable and refuse to see and feel what your husband does. and there reward, not having that suffering. ultimately though, i believe, because he was able to hold on to his humanity, he will heal,.... even caring the pain, he will heal beyond those that refuse to see

he listens to his spirit. the others dont. in not listening to spirit, repercussions happen, however they manifest, in unhealthy. your husband experiences it as it should be, as it is. ergo, i believe he will fore go long term repercussions.

solly, thank you for sharing your husbands words. it gives insight. it is so important and valuable to me. men dont like to tlak about their experience. they keep it within. so anytime one is willing to share, i appreciate it

happy holidays to you,....joy. thank you

[Solly Mack]

39. seabeyond

Thank you for your beautiful words of caring.

I also believe that since he is able to feel those feelings like he does..that it will help in the long run.

Thank you, again