I'm contemplating going to Iraq....opinions?

[DoNotRefill]

I'm seriously considering applying for a job which would involve going to Iraq for a year. With my resume, I'd stand a decent chance of getting it.

It wouldn't involve killing people, it would involve reconstruction of Iraqi infrastructure. While there's a risk of being killed, considering the way people drive around here, it's risky driving to my current job. ;)

The money's OK, but that's not why I'd go. I'd go to try to make the situation better for the Iraqi people.

My father worked in the Middle East many moons ago (building communications systems, not bombing people). He found it to be a personally satisfying experience.

What say you, my fellow DUers? Can a person go to Iraq without losing their soul and being branded some kind of mercenary?

[NMDemDist2]

1. i think i'd wait til the baby was born pal eom

[DoNotRefill]

3. That's a given....

I'd leave in August, after the baby is born.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

19. And leave your wife alone to take care of the baby? Real nice.

[DoNotRefill]

23. I've talked with my wife about it.

She's eager to stay home with the baby rather than working, and we have a decent extended family-support system close-by.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

31. Is this her first child? I can tell you that even with a good family...

...support system, she will be the one taking care of the child 95% of the time. It's not easy, even with both parents taking an active role.

[DoNotRefill]

34. Better her taking care of the child...

than some kind of daycare, yes? If I stay, daycare would be inevitable.

[lostnfound]

82. Please don't do that to your wife or your child. Here's why.

Not only are the risks are huge and numerous, but having a young baby is really, really hard. You will be missing out on what is a spiritually-enriching and richly-human experience, while your wife will have added stress at a time when she should be enjoying a deep miracle of life. The first year is TOO precious.

I have a toddler, and everyday I thank his daddy for being so incredibly helpful. Maybe I could have met my son's needs on my own, but I never would have had time or energy to enjoy this beautiful time.

Stick around to PLAY with your child. A father's time with his infant and toddler is giving back to life. Simply playing with your young child will shape him/her into someone with more confidence. It makes a difference.

[Syrinx]

2. Go if you want, but check with your loved ones first

You stand a very good chance of never coming back.

[goclark]

4. I'd Give It A Lot More Thought

[DoNotRefill]

15. That's what I'm doing....

hence the thread.

[Chicago Democrat]

5. DO NOT GO! PLEASE ... its better to live and work here

That place is gonna explode when they go in Najaf

[DoNotRefill]

12. Here's the thing...

if the only Americans the Iraqis are exposed to are people with guns shooting at them, they'll understandably maintain an entirely negative outlook on Americans in general. That's something that will far outlast bush's term in office.

Providing the Iraqi people with examples of the positive things that Americans can do for them is important. If we don't help them, there will be nothing to counterbalance the terrible things that have happened to them at our hands. We can't erase what has happened, but we can work to make what amends are possible.

[BostonTeaParty04]

21. I don't think the Iraqis really have time to 'get to know you'

Their country is being occupied by a hostile nation.

Their livelihoods are being stolen right out from under them.

And you know what? If REAL freedom and democracy ever gets to iraq... they have MILLIONS of unemployed people..... ALL EDUCATED (because under Saddam... everyone goes to college, including the kurds!)...

Basically, they don't need OUTSIDE contractor help!!!

So... you going to take a job that an iraqi can do just fine... well, uh....I guess I don't have much respect for that. You are feeding your family just fine here, right? why take food off an iraqi's table?

This 'reconstruction' stuff is BULLSHIT. They aren't cavemen over there, you know. They are engineers (all kinds), architects, lawyers, doctors, etc. etc. etc...... They are STAFFED, and when the USA gets the fuck out of the way, they can put their country back together again.

But, like I said, I think it's quite EGOCENTRIC of you to think that they would have as a priority a desire to 'get to know some caring fucking american." Good god....

Sorry.... your naivete is stunning.

And you have a kid on the way???? This must be a 'let me get a rise out of the DUers post', right? you're kidding, right??

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

25. You can't accomplish that while they are still being killed and

you cannot account for the lack of trust that is affiliated with some of the private companies there that are operating under the pretense of humanitarian aid and are essentially spying on their community.

That's the problem with the way some of the private companies and intel/outsource contractor companies have operated. They shit all over the intentions of those there for legitimate humanitarian purposes.

[FlaGranny]

91. One might think that some of them will resent you for

doing a job one of them could have been hired to do. You do what you have to do and make up your own mind. But, if your motivation is helping them, you might find that sending Americans to do jobs that Iraqis are totally capable of doing might just alienate them more than help them.

[the Kelly Gang]

6. I think it's acceptable to go and work on infrastructure

if you don't mind the safety aspect and it's a genuine job involved in the civilian sector that will be aiding Iraqi's eventually..the karma should be OK.
The real problem is who can be trusted??..not even your own adminstration!
Have a good exit plan

:think:

[BostonTeaParty04]

29. People just don't understand: Iraqis can handle ALL work.....

they ahve the manpower, the talent, the education, the experience.....

They are SET.. They don't need outside contractors to do a thing.....

There is such a blind spot about that. They built roads and pipelines and electric plants and water reservoirs and bridges and buildings and schools and EVERYHTHING else that is considered 'infrastructre' long before we ever got there.

It is a CRIME for anyone to make a profit at the expense of an iraq national working in his own damn country.

think outsourcing like in the usa, but in REVERSE. We are insourcing..... across the board....

[the Kelly Gang]

60. of course they can..they built it before we destroyed it.

personally I wouldn't go but I won't judge someone else who goes because they need the money. I would think outsiders are going because they desperately need the money..presumably having lost their jobs here...but the whole thing is just one mighty fuck-up

[AP]

7. I understand that the legitimate development community thinks...

...only losers are going to Iraq.

If you really want to get into development work, you might be doing more damge to your resume long term by going to Iraq.

[G_j]

8. unless you are doing

humanitarian work, IMO, the "reconstruction" work is ethically questionable. I feel like corporations are war profiteering, taking advantage of a country we helped destroy. Don't forget Cheney made a bundle on "reconstruction" after the first Gulf War. My advice, think long and hard about it.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. I think you are asking to be killed

I also think Iraqi's built their infrastructure the first time around and can rebuild it themselves. I don't think your intentions are poor, nor do I think EVERY American who chooses to go over there is doing so as a mercinary or for poor reasons.

That said, they have a pretty intelligent population. It isn't as though Saddam scrimped on education. Their jobs should be left for them. One year after the war, people want to work and people want to eat and people want us out.

If you do go, I will wish you the best and hope for your safe return, but I think they would just as soon we get out and give them the freedom we claimed we would.

[Eric J in MN]

10. The people there won't be able to tell by looking at you that

The people there won't be able to tell by looking at you that you have good intentions.

Most feel that they're being occupied by Americans.

If you want to do international reconstruction, why not pick another country?

[Gman]

11. My brother in law works for KBR and is in Turkministan

or Uzbekistan (I forget). He was home Thanksgiving and said back then there was no way in hell he'd go to Iraq. If you go to one of the places supporting operations in Afghanistan you'll probably be ok.

[Mick Knox]

13. If you go by choice, I salute you..

You are informed and know what you are getting into. SOmeone has to do it I suppose. Maybe wait til Jan :)

[DemoTex]

14. YOU-ARE-FUCKING-CRAZY!

Look at the damn yellow-red-green ribbon to the left of my sig line. Then look at my sig line. I was in Vietnam. Iraq, right now, is worse than anything I saw on the ground during my tour. In fact, I am not wasting any more bandwidth. You have to be joking. Otherwise you are suicidal.

[Must_B_Free]

35. I second that emotion

You are double dipped fucking crazy

[greatauntoftriplets]

75. Well said.

And thank you.

[JohnyCanuck]

16. Personally, I think you must be nuts

to even contemplate working in Iraq at this time, but don't let that stop you if you have heart set on going.

[DoNotRefill]

18. But if only the warmongers go....

then all there will be is more warmongering.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

17. Who among the Iraqis are you going to convince that you're helping them?..

Do you have some kind of death-wish?

[DoNotRefill]

20. I'd let my actions speak for themselves....

If you try to convince people you mean well by saying you mean well, they'll think you're trying to sell them something.

If you go and do a good job, and set a positive personal example, you can let them draw their own conclusions.

[G_j]

27. but you would be working for somebody

what example are they setting? Have you examined closely the record and actions of this company?

[DoNotRefill]

28. Yes...

BTW, it's not an American company.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

30. Have you noticed that the Iraqis don't seem to care for other...

...nationalities either?

[DoNotRefill]

33. The nationality of the company I'd be working for...

doesn't have troops on the ground there.

[revcarol]

69. So far, Danish, Japanese, S. Korean, Italian civilians kidnapped

in addition to American civilians.

You must have a death wish.

[DoNotRefill]

84. Don't forget Spanish...

and all of the countries represented seem to actually have troops on the ground...not many, but some, and from what I've read, that's why they were kidnapped...to try and get those countries to pull their military people out.

[punpirate]

42. Unfortunately, that may be a distinction lost...

... on the Iraqis. From what I read recently, one of the items the US has done (Order #39, 100% privatization of the country, entirely open to foreign corporations) has really gotten the Iraqis inflamed.

They see themselves rapidly being transformed into the colony of powerful multinational corporations. I doubt they will recognize, now, the difference between a US multinational and one from another country.

The Iraqis are rather quickly putting two and two together, realizing that one of the stronger motives for the invasion was to enable foreign multinationals to control the country.

Another consideration--in the current situation, you may well find yourself needing a good basic grasp of Arabic to talk your way out of stickly situations, now and then. If you don't speak Arabic, and don't have the facility to pick up the basics of the language quickly, you're at yet another disadvantage.

Also, look at the reality of what's happening, rather than what's on the news here--Americans have killed a lot of civilians in Fallujah (creating additional long-term resentment), the NGOs are pulling out because the situation in most cities is becoming increasingly dangerous. Americans are being advised to leave Saudi Arabia (ask yourself the ramifications of your presence as an American in Iraq if there's a bloody coup this summer in SA).

Would you be welcome, later, if there's a truly successful transfer of power in Iraq to a properly-elected body, and the situation there had calmed? Quite possibly. But, from the news now, it looks as if the situation will only grow worse through the summer.

The first rule of survival is not making one's self a target.

Cheers, and good luck.

[DoNotRefill]

45. Thanks...

very insightful post on your part. If I go, it'd be after the handover.

I can pick up some of the language beforehand, I'm good with languages.

[LunaC]

64. One drop of goodness

in an ocean of evil will (realistically) be impossible to discern.

[NJCher]

22. are you out of your freaking mind?

The place is hell on earth.


Cher

[DoNotRefill]

26. And it will continue to keep being so until people actually change it.

The safe, comfortable thing to do is to stay home. But if people stay home, and don't help them, what will ever change?

Think about the voter registration drives during the Civil Rights era. At the time, the South was hell on earth for them. They went and made a difference anyway, and some paid for it with their lives.

[G_j]

32. They weren't doing it for money

if you are truly talking about a humanitarian effort, why not join a humanitarian organization. I realize you must need the income, but be careful about telling yourself you are doing something comparable
to the civil rights workers. Most companies are not reconstructing Iraq out of the good of their hearts. It's about profit and Iraqis know that.

[DoNotRefill]

36. I'd have to be paid...

since I'd be putting my job (and revenue stream) here on hold to do it.

[nonconformist]

24. Since you're asking for opinions, I have to say don't go

It's not worth the money, it's not worth your life, it's not worth a limb, and it's not worth the nightmares from what you may see that will plague you for the rest of your life.

[toddzilla]

38. beyond stupid

how could you even consider going after a newborn enters your life?

I could go on and on, but i'll just say it..


It's a really fucking idiotic thing to think you could make one scintilla of difference. You'll never see your kid's first steps, and may never see your kid again.

[Beaker]

37. why take a job from an Iraqi citizen

that's one of the other things that's getting them pissed at us- there's very very high unemployment in Iraq right now, and they don't like the idea of the americans getting those jobs, especially at much higher wages than the iraqi people could hope to expect for the same work.
stay home, stay safe, and let the people of iraq build their own country.

[NJCher]

44. it's not even Americans

They're outsourcing to Asians. Heard it on NPR this a.m.


Cher

[librechik]

39. don't be fooled--the money is not worth the risk

let those with nothing to lose go there. Now is not the time. You can be more help to the Iraqis here than there, drawing their hatred as an outsider. You have blinded yourself with a seductive idealism. Your responsibility is to your wife, not the abstraction that is "Iraq" Please don't choose to risk your life, it doesn'tr belong to you, it belongs to your child. Would he want you to go over there and risk it all for a few dollars? Please don't fall for their spiel. They are fooling you.

[DemoTex]

40. How much?

Front and center. What possible high salary could be this siren to you. Spill it. Does it include funeral expenses for your family? If not, why not?

[DoNotRefill]

43. It's not that high....

The money's OK, not spectacular.

It's not about the money. If I wanted to "sell my soul" for a hefty salary, I could make more in the US, doing something I'm trained for but that is anathema to me.

[DemoTex]

52. I'm cashing in for the night. I mowed many acres today.

Sleep on this, my friend. Let's communicate again tomorrow. Meanwhile, don't sign any contracts!

Mac

[smirkymonkey]

90. Why on earth did you choose to bring a child

into this world, only to abandon it? And your wife? Is this ok with her? Do you have any idea as to what you are getting into?

I can't beleive you are even contemplating such a decision.

[MrSlayer]

41. Bad drivers do not equal maniacal, hostage taking, extortionist murderers

I think you are insane. I wouldn't go there for any reason. Way too risky, a bad driver is not going to film himself executing you. Some Iraqi might. Certain groups don't seem to give a fuck if you are a civilian or not.

[Panelboy]

48. I wouldn't take a job anywhere in the Middle East right now.

Anyone over there that can help during the reconstruction is going to make a positive difference. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're willing to take a serious risk to your life though. On a selfish note, it would be really constructive to have a DU poster go over there and see the occupation for what it is, and bring a little reality to this forum.

[ConsAreLiars]

46. Don't go under the illusion that it will somehow benefit Iraqis or USAns

Go for money, go for adventure, whatever.

But don't delude yourself that you will be building anything for the Iraqis. They have the talent do do whatever is needed. The only infrastructure you will be building will serve the looters and pillagers of Iraq and the "privatization" process that is one of the main objectives of the occupation. You can probably figure that out for yourself if you just look at who is doing the hiring.

There are already plenty of folks there whose motives are altruistic and hope to provide a good example. Some are called soldiers, maybe some are called contractors - decent folk with good intentions (some, not all). But the bare fact of the matter is that you, like them, will be furthering the goal of corporate domination of that region regardless of your subjective feelings about your activities there.

If you just want to experience work in the Middle East, go to some area where you get hired by indigenous operators rather than occupying powers.

[ComerPerro]

47. Well, if you and your family are comfortable with the decision

Then I support it. I don't think going there as a contractor to build or drive makes you a merc. The only people I brand as mercs are people who sign on for security (duties that involve killing).


Best of luck to you if you go.

Be safe.

[0rganism]

49. Stay out of Iraq. I mean it.

You have a wife and a first child on the way. You have a job. You aren't in the military. You have everything to live for. You don't need to put your ass on the line, and that's exactly what you'd be doing.

So your there as a construction worker, or engineer? So what? That guy from Miss, Thomas Hamill, who went to Iraq as a truck driver probably figured he was okay too. Maybe thought he was helping "the cause," by not hurting anyone. Thought he was spreading good will towards men, while sending some bucks back for the family.

And some of the Iraqis will probably even respect that, and be real nice to you. Many of them will distrust you, think of you as a dangerous potential target, and not want to go anywhere near you. And then there's another 10% who would just as easily hang your burnt ass from a bridge as keep you alive as a hostage.

Given the choice of moving to a place where 10% of the people you meet would like to kill you outright, the smart money's on staying the fuck away. If you take this job, you are batshit crazy. Heck, you score some crazy points for even considering it. I view your deliberation as the equivalent of pondering suicide.

'Nuff said.

[DoNotRefill]

51. LOL!!!

You made me laugh. :) I've never been called crazy by somebody sporting a Cthulu avatar and .sig line before. ;)

[0rganism]

53. If you take that job, you will make St. Lovecraft seem sane

Laugh as you like; just remember that Cthulhu would rather devour you whole, and will frown upon having to seek out numerous parts scattered across a stinky desert.

[kimchi]

50. Definitely not.

If you have a child on the way, you will want to spend time getting to know it. They grow so incredibly fast that you really don't want to miss a minute of it. Trust me.

Think of your family first. Yes, you could go to Iraq without losing your soul; but in my opinion that is the job of the young and unencumbered idealist. Part of my soul has been in Mesopotamia since a third grade video which spawned my love of archaeology, culture, and religion. But the greatest portion is in her crib asleep right down the hall.

Best of luck with your decision and may your family be blessed.
Inahna ;)

[AmyStrange]

54. mercenary?

I hope you will be an information lifeline to all of us who are cutoff from the real news in Iraq.

Send news when you can... please.

I can't remember the idiot who posted an e-mail here that their brother was a soldier there (carrying a gun) and was impressed by how many Iraqis thanked him for liberating them and his family and thought that proved that none of the insurgents were "real" Iraqis.

What were the Iraqis suppose to do? Holler (hollar?) at a soldier WITH A GUN that they hate them and wish they would leave?

Check in with Dave Ross (a local talk show host from Seattle) in Baghdad if you can. ((((HUGz)))) no matter what you decide,



sig:
"The Truth knows no master" - AmyStrange said to me in a dream

10) And best of all, check these out:

the "First Seven Days Underground" by Skinner:
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mirror pages:
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http://du.seattleactivist.org/DU-JAN-27-2001-Skinner-7days-2.html
http://du.seattleactivist.org/DU-JAN-27-2001-Skinner-7days-3.html
http://du.seattleactivist.org/DU-JAN-27-2001-Skinner-7days-4.html


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Dave (AmyStrange.com) Ayotte
Please, regularly check the One Missing Person (is one person too many) searchable website for the latest (and archived) missing person news stories:

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[shanti]

55. don't do it

really....don't. they don't want you there.

[Renew Deal]

56. It depends on your personal need for speed.

If you want to live in a fast paced, hard hitting, risky environment, go for it. It all depends on how willing you are to get killed. I would consider it for the right price, but the way I am reading you, that's not it.

[Djinn]

57. No way No chance

For the same reasons a few people have stated before - it's not the risk of dying that would stop me it's the immorality of foreigners taking ALL the jobs in Iraq when they have an educated unemployed population.

The occupation is only part of the problem - the privatisation and theft of their resources is another

Why on earth would any Iraqi thank you for this??? You would be working for a company that will be sending 100% of their profits out of Iraq and you'd be just another looter doing the same with your pay. Why hire someone who needs to be paid twice as much as a local, doesn't understand the country and doesn't speak the language (btw Arabic isn't all that easy to "pick up" speaking as someone who also has a flair for languages and has had lessons in Arabic, it's a hard language for someone's who's first language is English - besides which inflection would you learn, Nadji, Judeo Iraqi, Mesopotamian? not to mention the fact that in various areas of Iraq many people speak Kurdi, Farsi, Azerbaijani, Assyrian and a handful of other languages - do think you could "pick up a little" of all of them.

I honestly can not beleive you would even consider it - you don't need to be a soldier or even armed to be a mercenary.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

58. NO! You are a FATHER FIRST. You aren't allowed to risk your life.

I found out my wife and I are expecting as of a month ago and I try not to drive and am even more wary of some idiot on the road offing me and leaving my child without a parent.

There is nothing more important than being there long term for your child. Your wife needs and wants you there, too.

[NuttyFluffers]

59. draw up a comparison chart

anyone here can do it. but you should do it to really see the costs against each other. if anyone here wants to take a swing at it for display i welcome them.

and then after all that i ask you to think of the best and worst case scenarios of each.

and then think that you don't have to be in the frontline to change someone's life for the better. there's a whole lot of people in your own neighborhood who are most likely living a living hell. if you can make more money and have more free time in america you can wisely spend it with family and on the side nurturing the destitute near you.

why do you feel that the only way to do good with your life is to put everyone who loves you through traumatizing emotional fear? what cause can you do in a war zone that'll be so much more powerful and noble that can't wait until stability there? why do you crave to gamble with everything you've now succeeded with your life, is a quiet enjoyment of this success make you feel guilty in the face of suffering from there? will your sacrifice there even be recognized? and if who how would it be so much better there than nearby?

reckless noble gestures have been known to hide selfish thrill seeking - have you honestly ruled that out from yourself? where does the most loving and selfless act lie, allowing you to bring the most amount of goodness to the world?

[nomatrix]

61. If you really are that desperate

Check the contract. You may not be getting the money expected. For example, what you may be quoted will be based on 40hr. Over 40 hours, the rate could be considerably less, or what you would make in the states. This is based on what returning contractors are reporting. They also said, "if you build it, they will come." Sabotage it.

The tax break changes with the amount of time spent overseas. If you don't stay the distance (I think it's 18 months for the tax break) you pay the taxes. Unless you have serious deductions, a huge windfall & the IRS says thank you!

Do you speak the language? This ain't your daddy's Middle East. Don't base todays decision on any of the old notions of working there. Grenades, land mines, missiles, friendly fire and you are not armed. You must drive as fast as you can, and don't break down.

You make a wrong turn, your dead. If you have never left the country....wait....I'll give you a U.S. example...
Back when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida and wiped out Homestead, people who lived there all there lives couldn't find their way around. No street signs, no landmarks. You have a bomb hit an area you are used to traveling through and you don't have a landmark, you can be turned upside down in a heartbeat. You can't stop to ask directions. Not good.

No, sorry, way too risky. I would never advise you to take this. You have a baby on the way. Savor that life. Is it possible this work is in another state, or any other country? I wish you the best. Even under the best conditions, the stress of being separated from your family can never be equated in $$$$.

[Guaranteed]

62. Nah, don't do that, man.

You'll just end up a hostage.

Seriously- don't do it. You're asking for it.

[LunaC]

63. While your motivation may be altruistic

you may want to consider that the Iraqis don't necessarily want to be "saved" by Americans. That would be a huge detriment if I were contemplating this type of leap. While I admire your desire to "try to make the situation better" for other people, maybe your own community is where you could start.

Just my $.02 gut reaction FWIW.

[LibertyorDeath]

65. With all sincerity please think long and hard about this

For all those people who would have an ache in their heart forever if you were "not around" please consider this like it's life and death.

Because it may very well be.

You asked.

[Piperay]

66. Advice...PLEASE don't

do it, it's to dangerous. :-(

[leanings]

67. Hey, me too!!!

n/t

[Vladimir]

68. Since you asked

I think you would be both wrong and stupid to go. Wrong because you'd be engaging in a criminal enterprise, and stupid because things in Iraq will only get worse and not better. Every person who goes to Iraq to participate in the current 'reconstruction' is making life worse, not better, for Iraqis, IMO.

V

[Buns_of_Fire]

70. MHO: It's not worth it, WHATEVER the salary is

Someone drawing down on you with an AK-47 isn't going to care about your motives for being there, be they altruistic or mercenary. They're not going to see a husband -- or a father. They're not going to care that you're there so your wife can spend more time at home with your new child.

They're only going to see an American, an occupier of their country. An infidel.

No, not everyone there is going to hate you and wish you harm. But it only takes one to royally mess up several lives.

Think long and hard about it. Godspeed, whatever your decision is.

[bonemachine]

71. I'm going to be the odd man out

And say that I think I understand exactly where you are coming from. I've considered it myself quite a bit lately... Nobody has offered me a job there though, so it hasn't gotten out of the consideration zone, but there's a certain... Call me crazy, but there's something about the idea that really hits my heart somehow...

That said, I'm not sure right after having a child would be the wisest time to do something like this... It's not fair to your family.

[kayell]

72. You asked, I answered - Your coming child is your first responsibility

Risking yourself in Iraq, no matter how pure your motives, would be selling your child short.

[trumad]

73. Incredibly irrespsonsible....

What some folks would do for the almighty buck.... You'd leave your kid for a year for what, a hundred grand... think about it.... you wouldn't see your own baby for a year and run the risk of your baby maybe never seeing you again...All for a couple of Benjamin's? OR are you just doing this for a cool adventure? If that's the case then you're selfish.

Don't be a fool and be a good Dad...Stay home with your kid and wife and live.

[bleedingheart]

74. I have to agree with Trumad

you will miss out on that first year... you won't be there to hear "Da da"... you won't see the first time he/she sits up or really laughs out loud...
You won't see those first steps or the first time he/she gets a cupcake and gets all messy...

and then there is the risk of never coming back...

[0007]

76. If your gonna be a sucker be a quiet one!!

I think your nuts.

[Loonman]

77. You could be shot and killed

Just because you "look like an American".

Not a good place to be, right now.

There's a reason why non-military personnel in Iraq get paid so much.

[NNN0LHI]

78. Have you considered bank robbing? Pays about the same

Probably a lot less dangerous though.

Don

[Ilsa]

79. Bank your sperm first

if you ever intend on having more kids. My brother was over there in PGW I and was told a couple of years ago by the Army that he has a 30% higher chance than normal of having children with disabilities.

I'd stay home, though. I think your wife and baby need you here.

[OneTwentyoNine]

80. You want to wake up dead one day??

My GOD man...I don't care what it would pay or who you would "try" and help but stay the hell away.

The Iraqi's won't look toward you for help,just as a target.

David

[DoNotRefill]

85. Waking up dead is inevitable...

Everybody does it eventually. It's just a matter of timing.

[LeahMira]

81. Glad you're trying to look at all the pros and cons...

It wouldn't involve killing people, it would involve reconstruction of Iraqi infrastructure.

I wonder for whom you'd be working and what their goals and objectives are. I understand the idea of working a less than fulfilling job in order to make enough money to do what you really want to do, but it doesn't seem that this is where you are coming from. I'm afraid that you might find yourself in a position of being required to do something by work that's counterproductive to your overall goals for yourself... and maybe finding yourself in that position after you've already done some things unknowingly that you would not have done had you known all the specifics.

Who are the NGOs that are working in Iraq to help the people? I'd rather work with some of them than with an American company.

Of course you need to talk with your family and get their feelings on the subject. They need your contribution to keep the family going here in the US and you're already responsible to all of them in one way or another.

I think your motives are good and admirable. Just be sure that, as you mentioned, you don't risk losing your soul... even before you realize it's lost.

BTW, do you speak Arabic?

[greatauntoftriplets]

83. Read the link and then think about your wife and child.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x489914

[IrateCitizen]

86. My question is, why are there Americans like you getting jobs...

... in Iraq that Iraqis could probably perform themselves?

I would say that you should only go if you have no problem being involved in war profiteering. You don't necessarily have to be at the "right end" of the barrel of a gun to be culpable in exploitation of others resulting from war and occupation.

[DoNotRefill]

87. Probably....

due to security reasons. It's a hell of a lot easier to vette a foreigner than an Iraqi.

[IrateCitizen]

92. So, I guess you have no problem with the war profiteering...

... and participation in exploitation of an occupied people in which you'd be a willing participant?

[never_get_over_it]

88. Do not do it

You should not leave your wife and baby. For one you stand a strong risk of never coming back - which is not fair to your wife and child. Two you risk being exposed to depleted uranium and getting very sick and also risking the health of any future children you may have - stay home with your family where you belong. IMHO

[bloom]

89. I wish all Americans

would stop trying to profit from Iraq.



I'm sure it is very nice for the individuals who are able to make a lot of money off of the situation. I think people who say they are "helping" Iraq out are deluding themselves. I think the only way to help Iraq is to get the Americans out.

[sangh0]

93. DNR, I commend you

Your intentions are unimpeachable as far as I'm concerned. I'm considering the possibility of my going with an NGO. However, I don't have any children, or even a wife, and I strongly suggest you consider how this decision might affect them. Aside from that, all I have to say is whatever your decision, go with God.

[debsianben]

94. You're Not Helping Them

Reconstruction work needs to be done, but it should be done by IRAQIS. Most Iraqis bitterly resent the foreign companies profiting off of the re-building of their bombed-out country. We should be paying the Iraqis reparations to help them do this themselves, not take jobs away from Iraqis and fatten American companies.

[Hippo_Tron]

95. Great article in TIME showing that getting Iraqis to it would be cheaper

MUCH cheaper for American tax payers. I hope Kerry gets on this.

[Athame]

96. Please!!

Read your sig line and RECONSIDER.

Your idealism is worthy, but I doubt the Iraqi people are thrilled with the reconstructors much more than they are the soldiers. There is 70% unemployment in Iraq, or more. How would you react to the reverse if we were the ones being occupied and reconstructed (as if that is happening)?

Not to mention DU dust and toxic waste and ...

Trust Ma. You don't want to miss the birth and infancy of your first child. Your family needs you with them.

[Teddy_Salad]

97. You're fucking nuts!

Stay home and look after your family, forchristsakes!

[RummyTheDummy]

98. Don't go!

Look, I realize in the Bush economy, ever dollar counts and sometimes things get tough. But no salary, no matter what it is, is worth getting your ass shot off or taken prisoner, tortured and ultimately executed. Many of those people that would do that wouldn't care why you're there, they see you only as an American and their enemy.

Where would that leave your wife and child? There is a decent chance you'd run into trouble over there. Is it worth risk?

Nobody ever thinks it will happen to them....

[RapidCreek]

99. Interesting....how nice of you

Considering 90% of Iraqi's cant find a job, I imagine they'll be over joyed with yout altruism. Can a person go to Iraq without losing their soul? Yea. Can one go there without being branded a mercenary? Yea. Can one go there with the intention of stealing the job an Iraqi should rightfully have? Yea. Is it anything more than selfish? No. Will doing such a thing piss of Iraqi's? Yes.

Then again....maybe Bush can give the job you have now to a Mexican who wants to come to America to try and make the situation better for the American people. Sorry but that rationalization is a self serving load of bullshit.

RC

[Mattforclark]

100. If you are serious...

you could make life a lot better for people in other 3rd world countries than you could in Iraq, and at a lot less personal risk.

[rinsd]

101. Do what you feel is best for you and your family. (nt)

[latebloomer]

102. tell me, how does your wife feel about this?

I'd be very surprised if she were happily behind it.

Taking care of a baby with no husband is difficult enough without the constant gnawing fear that he'll never be back.

Sorry man, but I think it would be a very selfish move. Search yourself and see if your desire is only about altruism, or whether you are indulging a lust for adventure that is exceedingly poorly timed. It's not all about you any more.

[theboss]

103. Three points

Basically, I would go if:

1. The money was remarkably better than what you could earn here. I mean, for $20,000 a month, I could see the risk. There are thousands of Westerners in Iraq so the odds are in your favor of making it out in one piece. However, it doesn't sound that is the case.

2. I had some training in defending myself in a hostile environment. Again, not sure it is you. The thing that worries me is an ex-military man or woman would probably recognize the danger well before I could and be able to prepare himself. They could also defend themselves much better than I could. (I'm not even sure which end of the gun the bullet comes out).

3. Your family supports you. I think my mom would divorce my dad if he suggested this.