DAY 98: 3 MAY 08

Well I was glad to see a positive response on the last post from both my parents and some others although I got a few emails saying that my parents need to grow up and realize my being deployed is stressful enough and petty arguing needs to be put aside. None the less I am glad there is some awareness to my request of being civil and moving forward. Anyway I stayed up last night and really sacked in today. It feels good to get a good night’s sleep as they do not come as often here in Afghanistan. You know I was in the shower today thinking about all of these soldiers who work 12 hours days, 7 days a week, for 12 to 15 months straight. I do not care who you are but that will wear you down if not break you. They wonder why suicide is an issue well there is a starting point. Any idiot who thinks these wars are not taking their toll needs his or her head examined. I would tell that to anyone and have when challenged. It’s not about me being right or whatever but about the fact that this premise, that mainly the soldiers, can handle this ridiculous battle rhythm is a ludicrous and ultimately destructive notion. I am truly blessed to have my job and lifestyle while deployed here. We have a guy who is the same exact job code as me in the Army and he is attached to the 101st Airborne division. He absolutely hates it and said they tried making him do gate guard duty because they do not know what to do with a guy who has a special MOS like broadcasting. Typical dumbass Army. But on the other hand I will say that the Army works very hard and does things I could never do. I go on trips with them for one day and am like ok I am done with that now, yet they do it day in and day out. No thank you. My hat goes off to them in that regard but it still comes down to work smart not hard.

Let’s just say as far as what you have heard on the news things are beefed up around here. I probably will not have to go off base again but am not taking that to the bank yet. The airman we lost last week was my rank and 24! Again I think about him as he was on a mission that I went on before. They are called PRTs or Provincial Reconstruction Teams. Basically they go out and talk to the elders of a village, area, or valley and help them rebuild, recover, and move forward. Ultimately we are doing good here and if we were not in the civil war of Iraq, then we could allocate more resources and money here and truly have this country on the fast track to success. Anyway I am in a good mood today as I have off and tomorrow is a BBQ day. I need to go put together a video for Linda’s students as it must be done today because I have been putting it off. I will try to call some people tomorrow and as always appreciate your time, POSITIVE COMMENTS, and most important prayers.

Before I go today there are a few things in the news and one personal story I want to share. 1. I would say that this guy from Austria committed the worse act in the history of his country but thanks to Hitler being an Austrian I cannot say that. This nut builds a dungeon like living area in his basement for which he keeps his 18 year old daughter captive in for 24 years and fathers 7 children with her all the while telling his wife upstairs that the girl ran away to join a cult. 3 of his kids/ grandkids never saw daylight in their almost 20 years of life. 1 of the babies died shortly after birth so he burned it in the house furnace. What is it about Austrians and burning people in furnaces?

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hVDZOHp0_8ZB_37OxVmoVnCEIsiAD90D6IP80

I am sorry but this man needs to be put to death so that the Jury of God can judge him because this is as bad if not worse than what Jeffrey Dahmer did. I would say worse because these people, his own family, suffered for years and years whereas Dahmer’s victims suffered for only a short time and where not his family. Anyway I had to comment on this one. Now onto the dumbass of the month award.

A kid from TX (same state as that guy who lives on PA Ave.) tried cashing a stolen check from his girlfriends Mom for $360,000,000 dollars. Yes 360 billion folks. I guess he figured he could help pay Iraq’s rent for the next year but none the less when the police picked him up he had some weed and a gun on him and said he wanted to start a record company with the money. A great example of America’s best and the wonderful influence of these ‘Urban influence’ magazines and culture. Absolutely hilarious and unreal.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hVDZOHp0_8ZB_37OxVmoVnCEIsiAD90D6IP80

And finally right here in lovely Afghanistan we got a press release in about a local Afghan guy who takes the cake. So apparently coalition forces recently raided this guy’s house (mud hut) as he was a suspect in supplying the Taliban in the area where he lives. The night they did it he was not home so the next day he comes home and finds out what happens. Instead of knowing they are looking for him and being on the down low about it he decides he has been violated (I am not sure that he hasn’t either as I am not sure innocent until proven guilty applies down here). Anyway he decides to go to the closest base to complain to us at which point they figure out he was the one we were looking for in the first place, so they arrest him. I know my Dad will not like this story, but to complain to any foreign troops here is like asking to China to quit building up their military; forget about it. What he should have done is complained to the local Afghan police or military as that is why we are trying to help them handle their own business.

Well that’s it for today. I look forward to the Pens game tomorrow night and seeing Jagr get bounced from the playoffs back in the Burgh. Also THE vehicle that I want is on Ebay and I am so tempted to bid on it. The last Saleen Explorer ever produced. Check it out:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=230248245515&rd=1