A Letter From Iraq

[yleekiyote]

I wanted to forward this message, I believe it is legit:

Sent: Monday, May 10, 2004 10:59 AM
Subject: Letter from Iraq

This is a letter from Ray Reynolds, a medic in the Iowa Army National Guard, serving in Iraq:
As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list
of things that has happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing.)

* Over 400,000 kids have up-to-date immunizations.
* School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
* Over 1,500 schools have been renovated and rid of the weapons stored there so education can occur.
* The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off-loaded from ships faster.
* The country had its first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
* Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
* The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.
* 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed, compared to 35% before the war.
* Elections are taking place in every major city, and city councils are in place.
* Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
* Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
* Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
* Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
* Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever
* Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
* An interim constitution has been signed.
* Girls are allowed to attend school.
* Textbooks that don't mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.

Don't believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many, many people from Iraq that want us there, and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone,
anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC
Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

[Delirious Nomad]

Sweet.
I haven't seen this, but I do recognize the stats and they are legit.
Nice letter.
I'm saving it and sending it to others.
:cool:

[Delirious Nomad]

For those interested in hearing other good news or even helping the Iraqi children, you could go here:

http://www.operationiraqichildren.org/

Actor Gary Sinise is spearheading this up.

...and for those that say they don't like us, just remember, the vast majority of the "insurgents" over there are not Iraqi. They are coming in from across the border.

I will send a donation to help these children.
:)

[bigdaddysmak]

Here's another e-mail I got from my lil bro in Iraq. He's Army EOD, but over there with the Pentagon right now.




Hello all,
well, my replacement got here last night, and I have been busy showing him around so we can transition the job here. I also have been trying to get a flight scheduled so I can be home in time to see my daughter's first play. With any luck, I might be able to pull this off. Of course, I am not going home for good, but I probably will not return to Iraq until around the end of June.
Meanwhile, back in the "box"... as many of you may have seen on the news (at least on Fox News), the world is finally being told about the chemical munition that "didn't blow up" and "didn't exist", and "was never the reason to go to war". Thank you Mr. Bush; for those of us that have access to classified information and knew the truth of WMD's in Iraq, we have stood by you through the tirade of criticsm, and we are now justified. For those un-believers out there, hopefully this is enough to convince you that "we" were not crazy and never lied about WMD's.
There never was any doubt to some of us about this. Unfortunately, there are still those citizens in the US that could have a terrorist cut off their hands and dip the bloody stumps in deadly chemical agents, and they still would be critical of Bush and think that this war was about oil. Unfortunate and sad, because people like that are ignorant and/or naive. And those people vote, which is even scarier than disarming an IED. Well, on behalf of those of "us" that have always known but where never at liberty to discuss such things (due to security risks), I say... "I TOLD YOU SO!!!" whew... that felt good.
Well, I have to get so I can start packing. I will be getting a flight any day now, so it pays to ready at a moments notice. Love you all,
Will

[Delirious Nomad]

Tell your lil' bro that we are proud of him.
I personally would like to thank him for his service to our country.
:cool:

[bigdaddysmak]

I sure will pass that on.

This time around.....(he's been to Kosovo twice, Gulf War 1, Panama Invasion, and other "hot spots" as he likes to say) I made sure to save the emails he sent from Bahgdad. It makes for vey interesting reading.

He goes back to Bahgdad in June.....keep him in your thoughts.

[Delirious Nomad]

Originally posted by bigdaddysmak
He goes back to Bahgdad in June.....keep him in your thoughts.

Most definitely....and our prayers.
:)

[earl]

First of all let me say this ,As a former soldier and Veteran of the first Gulf War and other military operations through out the global hot spots,I support our troops! However,When Iraqi childrens education is more important than that of US students something needs to be done.There are schools in New Orleans that have no books,the teachers are required to purchase them or make zerox copies of one to pass out to the students!I say **** the Iraqis,kill em all and let God sort them out.

DE OPPRESSO LIBER is a motto to live by ,it means to liberate the oppressed,and we need to start with our own!

[bigdaddysmak]

I guess it's safe to say I'm proud of the kid, eh??

[MrBungle]

yes, but show me good Iraqi PORN and I'll say it's worth it...:D

[earl]

You have a point Bungle,all porn is good even Iraqi porn

[bigdaddysmak]

Would the closet thing be the prison pics??......Ouch........

[rushtrader]

Originally posted by earl
First of all let me say this ,As a former soldier and Veteran of the first Gulf War and other military operations through out the global hot spots,I support our troops! However,When Iraqi childrens education is more important than that of US students something needs to be done.There are schools in New Orleans that have no books,the teachers are required to purchase them or make zerox copies of one to pass out to the students!I say **** the Iraqis,kill em all and let God sort them out.

DE OPPRESSO LIBER is a motto to live by ,it means to liberate the oppressed,and we need to start with our own!

Earl,

What are your taxes down there? Every place that I know where people complain about the schools their property taxes are less than $2000 on a big house with lots of land. On Long Island we pay $10k property taxes for a 2500 sq ft house on 1./4 acre. You get what you pay for. Our schools for the most part are quite good, also quite integrated (in the spirit of the 50th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Kansas)

While I do not know this for a fact, I would wager that the cost of educating the Iraqi children is far less than what is being put into your schools down there.

Don't slight what we are doing to help out someone else because of problems in your own neck of the woods. Instead, DO SOMETHING about it!

RT

[Delirious Nomad]

Thanks RT.
Well put.
I had a post up before, but I deleted it because it got a little too "political".
I won't hash through the details, but the jist of it was similar.

We (state and federal gov't) spend up to $10,000 per child in our public schools.
Money isn't the problem. Red tape and poor administration of resources at the local level is the problem.

Your answer is right on the money......get involved at the local level.

Plus...there's nothing wrong with private individuals donating personal funds to help the children of Iraq who don't get a dime of help for their education.

I'll take my chances on a future free Iraq.
That would be a good thing for all of us.

:)

[yleekiyote]

RT, not to add fuel to the fire. New Orleans problems are the politics. We have one ex-Governor, serving time in the big house for a scandal of riverboat license's. He would award favors to his family. Our "Six Flags" was originally created as a New Orleans attraction for our culture and music called "Jazzland". The property they chose happen to be owned by someone in the political ring, go figure. So rent money would go to this guy, instead of the city. Our sporting event fu@k up is the NBA Hornets. They kick out our minor league hockey team for these jokers. Now, they are losing season ticket holders like crazy. The price is way too high for this area. I know that greed fuels politics, but none so blatant as ours. One of our past Mayor's had his own private company of meter maids, making money for him on the side. Anything we get here, we turn it upside down. The Worlds Fair of 84, people are still complaining they haven't gotten paid for their work. The huge casino downtown, took 3 years to build, due to some financing problems. We have a toll bridge that crosses the great Mississippi River, that was promised would be free by the beginning of 1990.

Ok, I'm spent, Macca you want to add to this list............

[rushtrader]

While that is pretty f***ed up, it has little to do with spending money on the children of iraq. it sounds to me like you (not personally, but a southern "all y'all" kinda you) dug your own graves down there with corrupt politicians.

So the problem is not the money being spent to help the kids in iraq, but your own local politics. The only way to fix that is for everyone who is sick of it to get involved and fix it. Not spending money to help the kids in Iraq won't do a thing to help the problems down there,

Delirious: I understand what you are saying. I love to talk politics and my personal fiscal politics are roughly aligned with an old client of mine whos first name is also Rush (except that's his in real life). So I try really hard to not let loose here as tempting as it gets some times.

:)
RT

[Aprillee]

WOW... Ylee and BigDady thank you so much for sharing your stories. Is your lil bro home BD? Prayers out for him.

When I was in corporate training for my last job, I was put up in a hotel in Dayton, near the Marine Corps base... accross the hall from me, were 6 young Mp's. They ranged in ages 18-24... looked more like 10-14.

These young men were poised, though I could see scared, and shipped out of the hotel late one night... each one asked for my CD to have something different to take from Home. THAT WAS AN HONOR.

One young man in particular, Corporal Scott Ad****, the commaning officer of this group, has wriiten to me and emailed me.... I sense frustation in him, maybe fear, but he doesn't like to show that.... I wonder from the flavor of his letters, what it is like in his station over there. I worry for him.... The next email he is to send to me will have some news in it. I will share. I know his troops have not had much sleep, and have had many delays in accomplishing their mission.

I do not know how I feel about this war.

I know that terrorism must be dealt with.

Though I would like to sit Mr. Bush down with a ****tail and ask him "what the fu*k? What are we going to do now?

Kerry in office would be a bad thing... he complains about the war... insists that 911 would not have happened had he been in office.... whatever, dude... you voted consistently to cut back our military, securities, CIA spending.... plus, you never offer your SOLUTIONS to Mr. Bush's so called blunders.... get a grip and make your daughter wear clothes in public!:o

[bigdaddysmak]

WOW... Ylee and BigDady thank you so much for sharing your stories. Is your lil bro home BD? Prayers out for him. Not yet.......but soon. Then after a couple of weeks , he goes right back to the "box" like he's said.

[bigdaddysmak]

but a southern "all y'all" kinda you) dug your own graves down there with corrupt politicians. Man did he nail THAT one. I voted for the other guy. Ain't my fault.

[macca]

I have the utmost respect for anybody going over there to fight, BUT........this country needs to get its priorities straight. What we are doing is morally good, but the zealots over there continue to be suicide jockeys and kill our boys. We play by the rules, but they sure as hell don't. I've said it before, and I'll say it again....pull our troops back to the line and level the damn place. Whatever terminology you call it, this is a war, plain and simple. And for anybody is disagreement over what I just said, remember this: 911. Seeing clips of what happened still kicks me in the gut and makes me sick. They don't give a rats a$$ about us, why should we? This country needs to learn to NOT run in everytime somebody cuts their finger or needs a helping hand. Yes, this situation is diferent(in a way), but the plot is still the same. And as usual, its always England and the U.S. So much for the "United" Nations, huh??

[bigdaddysmak]

Anyone who does'nt think this war was justifiable.....two words.
"Remember Hitler".
It was headed that way.......remember the Kurds?? They have'nt forgotten.

[tome811]

Originally posted by Aprillee
When I was in corporate training for my last job, I was put up in a hotel in Dayton, near the Marine Corps base... accross the hall from me, were 6 young Mp's. They ranged in ages 18-24... looked more like 10-14.

These young men were poised, though I could see scared, and shipped out of the hotel late one night... each one asked for my CD to have something different to take from Home. THAT WAS AN HONOR.


That must've been a real honor April! To have your vocals cranking all the way over in Iraq! Too bad you didn't have "Tell Me What You Want" on it then!:D

[Delirious Nomad]

Originally posted by rushtrader
So the problem is not the money being spent to help the kids in iraq, but your own local politics.


Delirious: I understand what you are saying. I love to talk politics and my personal fiscal politics are roughly aligned with an old client of mine whos first name is also Rush (except that's his in real life). So I try really hard to not let loose here as tempting as it gets some times.

RT

We are of "like mind" my friend.
I am a political "junkie". I try my best to keep my views off of here unless it is unavoidable.

[Delirious Nomad]

Originally posted by macca
I've said it before, and I'll say it again....pull our troops back to the line and level the damn place.


hmm...and then what?

Make Iraq a state and part of the United States?
No...we would leave.

If we level the place and then leave, who takes over the oil fields....oh, that's right,....the terrorists.
An endless flow of money for those that wish to cut all of our heads off.

ugh....please.....don't.....get......me........goi ng.......
Trying......to....hold......back.......
;)

[bigdaddysmak]

Just so everyone is kept up to date, the last I heard from my lil bro was that he flying into Kuwaitt in the AM (their time) and catching a flight out from there.

[MrsRocker]

If any of you would like to help out our troops this is a good site.
They actually want CD's sent amoung other small items that we take for granted.


http://www.anysoldier.us/

[Delirious Nomad]

Very nice Mrs. Rocker.
A worthy cause. I'm rounding up some sports stuff and some CD's.
:D

[macca]

Lets send our boys some LOUD CD's to drive those Iraqui's nuts......

[Delirious Nomad]

Originally posted by macca
Lets send our boys some LOUD CD's to drive those Iraqui's nuts......

Great idea.
I was actually thinking about sending a bunch (around 150) of my self-made burned CD's over there........

but I'd probably get arrested for some sort of copyright infringement.:(

How does that work anyway. I have the actual CD's, tapes, and albums. I have uploaded them to my computer. Then I burn my own CD.
I know that I am allowed by law to make 1 backup copy of what I own......

Would it be a problem to send that backup copy over to the soldiers?.....as long as I don't make another.....????

[rushtrader]

How about this? Let's find out how much Zebra can get a batch of Zebra 4 CDs pressed for this specific purpose and all chip in and have them pressed and send them. Perhaps they will do a batch near cost for this purpose.

I am going to email Randy about this. Let me know if anyone else is interested.

RT

[Delirious Nomad]

Originally posted by rushtrader
How about this? Let's find out how much Zebra can get a batch of Zebra 4 CDs pressed for this specific purpose and all chip in and have them pressed and send them. Perhaps they will do a batch near cost for this purpose.

I am going to email Randy about this. Let me know if anyone else is interested.

RT

I'm in.

[Sue]

me too! maybe we should contact some of our local radio stations and see what they might contribute?

[chinarain62]

Sue I will see you on the 28th right.

[Sue]

Originally posted by chinarain62
Sue I will see you on the 28th right.

No, you won't CR...I'll be at The Downtown and you'll still be at the mouse's house. I think you're drinkin way too many kami shots without me these last 2 weeks! :p

[yleekiyote]

Actually, since we are doing Timstock 3.V on Independence Day, it sure would be nice to have our boys listening to it over there. Perhaps by then I will have my new Edge wireless card and may be able to plug in my laptop and do a live remote across the radio station on the internet.

[earl]

RT count me in!During the first Gulf War my dad sent me a walkman with cassette tapes one of which was the first Zebra tape,that was during Desert Shield,after we moved into Southern Iraq just before the ground war started We had to bury any personal items that could not be sent back,Somewhere just south of Bagdad is a ziploc bag with a walkman and several cassettes,whats the chances that someone will find this buried treasure

[rushtrader]

You should have taken GPS readings on it!

RT

[earl]

I do have the map cooridinants of the area I was in,I could get within 20 or 30 yards of it.That was 13 years ago.

[bigdaddysmak]

I know the boys in EOD could set up a nice little ordinance disposal display to it..........keep me posted on this.....I wanna help too!!!!

[Delirious Nomad]

That would be wild if you could send someone and actually find the stuff.
I'd be willing to submit a prize to the one that finds it. :D

[earl]

Originally posted by Delirious Nomad
That would be wild if you could send someone and actually find the stuff.
I'd be willing to submit a prize to the one that finds it. :D

That would be a prize in itself

[bigdaddysmak]

Just thought I'd let everyone know my lil bro made it home safe and sound a few days early. I hear he's been sleeping alot since he got back. I know I would..........

[Delirious Nomad]

Everyone's breathing easier now.
Never know what can happen between here and there.
Glad he made it back.
Definitely give him my thanks.

[bigdaddysmak]

Will do.
The hardest part was losing track of him for a day. He ended up staying a day in Germany, and tried to call his wife, but due to the time differences she was asleep. So he ended up surprising her the next day.

[bigdaddysmak]

I finally got to speak on the phone to my lil bro today. All is good , but his return to the war is up in the air as he says, due to some equilibrium problems hes developed over the years playing with all the bombs and land mines he's detonated.

Anyway.......he is going to sending an address if anyone wants to send a care package to his unit. They were arriving as he was departing. I told him what was gong on in here and he was very touched. However he said a great thing to send would be coffee....and no decaff!!!!

He does appreciate all the good vibes sent the troops way.....