12-20-2003, 06:32 AM | #1 (permalink) |
Banned
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some of the good things in Iraq...
From: Seitz LtCol Scot S
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2003 8:40 AM To: 1MAW MWSS171 All Personnel Cc: Fenstermacher Col Stephen M; Kirkpatrick LtCol Stephen F; Chase LtCol Eric T Subject: ACCOMPLISHMENTS Marines and Sailors, As we approach the end of the year I think it is important to share a few thoughts about what you've accomplished directly, in some cases, and indirectly in many others. I am speaking about what the Bush Administration and each of you has contributed by wearing the uniform, because the fact that you wear the uniform contributes 100% to the capability of the nation to send a few onto the field to execute national policy. As you read about these achievements you are a part of I would call your attention to two things: 1. This is good news that hasn't been fit to print or report on TV. 2. It is much easier to point out the errors a man makes when he makes the tough decisions, rarely is the positive as aggressively pursued. Since President Bush declared an end to major combat on May 1... ... the first battalion of the new Iraqi Army has graduated and is on active duty. ... over 60,000 Iraqis now provide security to their fellow citizens. ... nearly all of Iraq's 400 courts are functioning. ... the Iraqi judiciary is fully independent. ... on Monday, October 6 power generation hit 4,518 megawatts-exceeding the prewar average. ... all 22 universities and 43 technical institutes and colleges are open, as are nearly all primary and secondary schools. ... by October 1, Coalition forces had rehab-ed over 1,500 schools - 500 more than scheduled. ... teachers earn from 12 to 25 times their former salaries. ... all 240 hospitals and more than 1200 clinics are open. ... doctors salaries are at least eight times what they were under Saddam. ... pharmaceutical distribution has gone from essentially nothing to 700 tons in May to a current total of 12,000 tons. ... the Coalition has helped administer over 22 million vaccinations to Iraq's children. ... a Coalition program has cleared over 14,000 kilometers of Iraq's 27,000 kilometers of weed-choked canals which now irrigate tens of thousands of farms. This project has created jobs for more than 100,000 Iraqi men and women. ... we have restored over three-quarters of prewar telephone services and over two-thirds of the potable water production. ... there are 4,900 full-service telephone connections. We expect 50,000 by year-end. ... the wheels of commerce are turning. From bicycles to satellite dishes to cars and trucks, businesses are coming to life in all major cities and towns. ... 95 percent of all prewar bank customers have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily. ... Iraqi banks are making loans to finance businesses. ... the central bank is fully independent. ... Iraq has one of the worlds most growth-oriented investment and banking laws. ... Iraq has a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years. ... satellite TV dishes are legal. ... foreign journalists aren't on 10-day visas paying mandatory and extortionate fees to the Ministry of Information for "minders" and other government spies. ... there is no Ministry of Information. ... there are more than 170 newspapers. ... you can buy satellite dishes on what seems like every street corner. ... foreign journalists (and everyone else) are free to come and go. ... a nation that had not one single element - legislative, judicial or executive - of a representative government, now does. ... in Baghdad alone residents have selected 88 advisory councils. Baghdad's first democratic transfer of power in 35 years happened when the city council elected its new chairman. ... today in Iraq chambers of commerce, business, school and professional organizations are electing their leaders all over the country. ... 25 ministers, selected by the most representative governing body in Iraq's history, run the day-to-day business of government. ... the Iraqi government regularly participates in international events. Since July the Iraqi government has been represented in over two dozen international meetings, including those of the UN General Assembly, the Arab League, the World Bank and IMF and, today, the Islamic Conference Summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that it is reopening over 30 Iraqi embassies around the world. ... Shia religious festivals that were all but banned, aren't. ... for the first time in 35 years, in Karbala thousands of Shiites celebrate the pilgrimage of the 12th Imam. ... the Coalition has completed over 13,000 reconstruction projects, large and small, as part of a strategic plan for the reconstruction of Iraq. ... Uday and Queasy are dead - and no longer feeding innocent Iraqis to the zoo lions, raping the young daughters of local leaders to force cooperation, torturing Iraq's soccer players for losing games, or murdering critics. ... children aren't imprisoned or murdered when their parents disagree with the government. ... political opponents aren't imprisoned, tortured, executed, maimed, or are forced to watch their families die for disagreeing with Saddam. ... millions of longsuffering Iraqis no longer live in perpetual terror. ... Saudis will hold municipal elections. ... Qatar is reforming education to give more choices to parents. ... Jordan is accelerating market economic reforms. ... the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for the first time to an Iranian -- a Muslim woman who speaks out with courage for human rights, for democracy and for peace. ... Saddam is gone. ... Iraq is free. ... President Bush has not faltered or failed. ... Yet, little or none of this information has been published by the Press corps that prides itself on bringing you all the news that's important. Iraq under US lead control has come further in six months than Germany did in seven years or Japan did in nine years following WWII. Military deaths from fanatic Nazi's, and Japanese numbered in the thousands and continued for over three years after WWII victory was declared. It took the US over four months to clear away the twin tower debris, let alone attempt to build something else in its place. Now, take into account that Congress fought President Bush on every aspect of his handling of this country's war and the post-war reconstruction; and that they continue to claim on a daily basis on national TV that this conflict has been a failure. Taking everything into consideration, even the unfortunate loss of our brothers and sisters in this conflict, do you think anyone else in the world could have accomplished as much as the United States and the Bush administration in so short a period of time? These are things worth writing about. Get the word out. Write to someone you think may be able to influence our Congress or the press to tell the story. Above all, be proud that you are a part of this historical precedent. God Bless you all. Have a great Holiday. Semper Fidelis, |
12-20-2003, 07:49 AM | #4 (permalink) |
Insane
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no i dont think any list is propaganda but notice that most of the numbers end in zeros
who is supplying the drugs - ... pharmaceutical distribution has gone from essentially nothing to 700 tons in May to a current total of 12,000 tons. who distroyed the water and phones - ... we have restored over three-quarters of prewar telephone services and over two-thirds of the potable water production. this satement doesnt even make sense - ... 95 percent of all prewar bank customers have service and first-time customers are opening accounts daily. no bank is independent - ... the central bank is fully independent. any one would love to get their hands on US currency - ... Iraq has a single, unified currency for the first time in 15 years. this is just funny - ... satellite TV dishes are legal. a rose by any other name - ... there is no Ministry of Information. iraq wanted to do this before too - ... the Iraqi government regularly participates in international events. Since July the Iraqi government has been represented in over two dozen international meetings, including those of the UN General Assembly, the Arab League, the World Bank and IMF and, today, the Islamic Conference Summit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today announced that it is reopening over 30 Iraqi embassies around the world. ill put money on this being false - ... millions of longsuffering Iraqis no longer live in perpetual terror. the fix has always been in on nobel prizes - ... the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded for the first time to an Iranian -- a Muslim woman who speaks out with courage for human rights, for democracy and for peace. Saddam in not gone just captured - ... Saddam is gone. even the US says they are occupying iraq - ... Iraq is free. look here for news http://news.bbc.co.uk/ - ... Yet, little or none of this information has been published by the Press corps that prides itself on bringing you all the news that's important.
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long live the hud |
12-20-2003, 09:23 AM | #5 (permalink) | |
Huggles, sir?
Location: Seattle
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seretogis - sieg heil perfect little dream the kind that hurts the most, forgot how it feels well almost no one to blame always the same, open my eyes wake up in flames |
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12-20-2003, 10:51 AM | #6 (permalink) |
Kiss of Death
Location: Perpetual wind and sorrow
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Its people like you Stan that will be the reason America loose this war, and I know you'd all just love to see it happen. But I'll tell you what we are going to succedd, because 1) America is the best country in the world, with the best damned military this world has ever seen and 2)[ edited because I can not follow the rules], we'll finish the job that we started and the world will be a better place for it. I find it very disturbing that people like you would have the US fail, have the lives/hopes/ and promise of 25 million people crushed just to spite us.... do you have a soul or sense of compassion for your fellow man?
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To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition. Last edited by juanvaldes; 12-20-2003 at 02:10 PM.. |
12-20-2003, 12:35 PM | #7 (permalink) |
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It's amazing how you spin what he's saying, accusing him of not having compassion for his fellow man.
It's amazing to me how you claim only the way the US is doing things now is humane. You'll have to excuse me if I don't have the same faith in your country as you do, considering their track record over the last few decades. Do you people honestly think the US gives two shits about the people of Iraq? All these little stats on how much "better" things are getting is merely a show for the people of the US who still think there has to be a sense of morality in order to justify actions. If it wasn't in the interests of the US to attack Iraq, Saddam would still be gassing his people using chemicals from the West and none of you would be saying a word about it. So please spare me the moral lecture. No one said anything for decades while Saddam ruled, where was your compassion then? The world will be a better place? Hardly. I for one am not looking forward to a world where the declining hegemonic is getting nervous and lashing out around the world in a failing attempt to maintain supremacy. SLM3 |
12-20-2003, 02:42 PM | #8 (permalink) |
Kiss of Death
Location: Perpetual wind and sorrow
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I've always said Saddam was an assfuck, I wanted his head on a stick long before Bush went in and cleaned house. As for America not caring, you may be right, but the fact remains that 25 million people are better off then they were a year ago, and all you can do is piss and moan about it.
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To win a war you must serve no master but your ambition. |
12-20-2003, 04:12 PM | #9 (permalink) |
Insane
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Again with the spin.
Do you really see most of the opposition to your viewpoint as pissing and moaning about Iraqi's no longer living under Saddam? It's like thinking 9/11 was about terrorists attacking US values or some such nonsense. You're bent on creating an opponent who disagrees based on a premise that is totally unnaceptable, such as Iraqi's being free or terrorists hating freedom. Why don't you instead discuss the real arguments your opponents advocate? It's not about freeing people, it's about interests. If you dispute this, then fine, argue that. If not, then is it so hard to believe that I might not be comfortable because if and when it suits the US to oppress me in order to pursue its interests then I'll be living under the next Saddam? The overthrow of a government by outside forces is illegitimate when the motives are selfish and hypocritical. That is my argument, and it has nothing to do with whether the Iraqi people should be free or not. I would applaud the US if it had followed through with its word after the first Gulf War instead of leaving all those Iraqi's who rebelled to be slaughtered. But, in reality, it did not come as much surprise considering the US could never control a bottom up reformation, and therefore left them to be killed and are now instituting a reformation they can control. SLM3 |
12-20-2003, 04:39 PM | #10 (permalink) | |
Super Agitator
Location: Just SW of Nowhere!!! In the good old US of A
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Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!! |
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12-20-2003, 07:15 PM | #12 (permalink) | |
Super Agitator
Location: Just SW of Nowhere!!! In the good old US of A
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Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!! |
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12-20-2003, 07:25 PM | #13 (permalink) | |
Pissing in the cornflakes
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I like my view better. The US did a good thing by liberating Iraq. I'm sorry you didn't like it but it doesn't really concern you.
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Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps. |
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12-20-2003, 08:52 PM | #14 (permalink) | |
is awesome!
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Are 25 million Iraqis better off today than before 12 years of U.S.-led sanctions, continuous bombing, and two major U.S. military campaigns? Catagorically and emphatically no. I have no love of S.Hussein but he's going to be a pretty difficult act to follow. 1991 Iraq was a pretty advanced place in terms of civilization. They had water, electric, and communcation systems that were the envy of the area and a literacy rate that was close to America's (65% if memory serves). Hussein kept Iraq's three divisive ethnicitys in check (admittedly this was done with favoritism and violence, but are going to do any better when Shia Iraq decides it wants to be its own theocratic country?). |
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12-20-2003, 09:23 PM | #15 (permalink) | |
Pissing in the cornflakes
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[Edit:Possible Goodwin's Law violation]
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Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps. Last edited by Ustwo; 12-20-2003 at 09:35 PM.. |
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12-20-2003, 11:38 PM | #16 (permalink) |
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!2 years ago, Saddam chose to invade a nation and lost. He then chose to sign a treaty that among other things, said that it was legal for him to taken out had he violated the treaty.
He was allowed to sell oil for medicine and food, but he instead chose to use his nation's resource to purchase weapons from France, Germany, China, and Russia. And people blame the US? Saddam made his bed. Its so sad that the UN, Europe, and the American Left would rather have done nothing, and let the above nations continue to let Saddam violate the UN, the self same institution that they claim is so holy that no one should oppose it. Silly logic, huh? |
12-21-2003, 12:41 AM | #17 (permalink) | |
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I was implying that it's a good thing the first Americans didn't just up and leave because they didn't enjoy living under the British. SLM3 |
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12-21-2003, 12:57 AM | #18 (permalink) | |
Insane
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The end result would have been the US aiding the Iraqi's whom they told to rise up after the first Gulf War. This is the ONLY legitimate way the toppling of Saddam could have occured. It would have been done by the people, of their own free will, with ASSISTANCE from an outside force who was doing so in order to honestly help create a better state for the people. Hegemony isn't total. There's always been dissent and if it is the will of the people then they will act when the time is right. How else can we know the result is what the people wanted? You keep inferring that the US was acting solely to liberate the people of Iraq. I disagree completely. How do you explain all of the other dictators the US helped install and support to this day? How do you explain Mugabe still in power? What about the era of Pinochet? Libya says it's going to dismantle its WMD so Qaddafi is suddenly a good guy worthy of US aid?? Shall I go on? Why is it so hard to believe that a "liberation" based solely on reasoning that has nothing to do with liberating carries a lot of resentment in the world? SLM3 |
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12-21-2003, 02:28 AM | #19 (permalink) |
Junkie
Location: Right here
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Thanks for your comments, SLM3. IIRC, you aren't in the US right?
Regardless, the reason some US citizens might agree with SLM3's points isn't because we like complaining, only see the negative, etc.; it's due to the belief that these actions aren't in our country's long-term interest. That's what the discussion should center around--which actions will produce the best results? But we can't do that with people accusing people with a different opinion of harboring ill will towards the same country and ideals we share.
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"The theory of a free press is that truth will emerge from free discussion, not that it will be presented perfectly and instantly in any one account." -- Walter Lippmann "You measure democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." -- Abbie Hoffman |
12-21-2003, 02:34 AM | #20 (permalink) |
Insane
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I live in Canada. So, close enough to the US to know what most of the people there seem to be thinking. Far enough away, though, not to be deported to Syria for "questioning" because of my Middle Eastern descent. Just joking, of course.
You think the CIA is already reading my emails? SLM3 |
12-21-2003, 05:43 AM | #21 (permalink) | |
Junkie
Location: NJ
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Strive to be more curious than ignorant. |
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12-21-2003, 06:13 AM | #22 (permalink) | |
Insane
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Endymon32 could you direct me to some proof of this point because if it is ture i think we need to start a new thread
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and for the record i am not inside the US and one more point if i may yes SLM3 the CIA is reading your emails just like they keep and eye on this lovely board
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long live the hud |
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12-21-2003, 07:42 AM | #23 (permalink) |
Super Agitator
Location: Just SW of Nowhere!!! In the good old US of A
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Of course the CIA is reading everything posted on these boards - what else do you think they have to do? We are at the top of their list of priorities - there is a black Suburban parked in front of my house - wait, they're gettin out................
C'mon guys! Get real!!!
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Life isn't always a bowl of cherries, sometimes it's more like a jar of Jalapenos --- what you say or do today might burn your ass tomorrow!!! |
12-21-2003, 07:54 AM | #24 (permalink) | |
Banned
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Remember that black hawk that was shot down that had all the media talking about what a quagmire IRaq is? It was a FRENCH made rocket that took it down. Why was that not posted on the headlines? |
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12-21-2003, 07:55 AM | #25 (permalink) | |
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12-21-2003, 08:26 AM | #26 (permalink) |
Pissing in the cornflakes
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Just for the record I am NOT in the CIA.
I work as a driver for the ACE Tomato company, but I have never worked for the CIA nor do I take plucky housewives on international spy adventures. I do wish I could get to know you all better, so if you would PM me your real names, address, that sort of thing I bet we would all have a good time. Its more fun that way for someone like me who doesn't work for the CIA.
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Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps. |
12-22-2003, 08:22 PM | #28 (permalink) |
Her Jay
Location: Ontario for now....
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there are going to be good things that come out of iraq but the bad are going to outnumber the good the innocent lives lost (American,British,Iraqi) as long as this is a gureilla war and they keep up the hit and run tactics then they can keep fighting for there cause. surely people if your country was occupied you would everything in your power to regain control. half of these gureillas probably aren't even pro saddam they just want their country back.
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Absence makes the heart grow fonder |
12-22-2003, 08:33 PM | #30 (permalink) | |
Pissing in the cornflakes
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Left over Bathists and imported terrorists, they won't last long.
__________________
Agents of the enemies who hold office in our own government, who attempt to eliminate our "freedoms" and our "right to know" are posting among us, I fear.....on this very forum. - host Obama - Know a Man by the friends he keeps. |
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12-22-2003, 08:59 PM | #32 (permalink) |
Modern Man
Location: West Michigan
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If the insurgents aren't pro-Saddam why don't they realize that the quicker they stop killing innocent people, the sooner they will have their country back. This to me smells like terrorists, nothing else, baathist leftovers and extremists that seek to destroy any progress towards democracy.
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Lord, have mercy on my wicked soul I wouldn't mistreat you baby, for my weight in gold. -Son House, Death Letter Blues |
12-22-2003, 09:08 PM | #33 (permalink) |
Her Jay
Location: Ontario for now....
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you have to remember that before the war saddam emptied the prisons of all kinds of criminals. i highly doubt these people are sympathetic to saddam. it is a different culture and they don't simply lay down arms and hope the occupiers will leave, they would fight. like i said before how many people would roll over if their homeland was invaded?
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Absence makes the heart grow fonder |
12-23-2003, 12:29 PM | #35 (permalink) |
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I suppose that's because it was a pep talk to a certain commanders troops. Lord knows they can't look to the American public to make them feel like they aren't risking their lives in vein, and you don't have to be afraid to say it, i'm sure it's all true.
The whole "I support you guys, even though from my perspective your just over their killing innocent civilians", I'm sure doesn't keep morale up for too long. |
12-25-2003, 12:01 AM | #38 (permalink) | |||||||
Junkie
Location: Fort Worth, TX
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12-25-2003, 04:11 PM | #39 (permalink) |
Her Jay
Location: Ontario for now....
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"Um... 50% dont get the holiday off anyways during peacetime, nothing different."
most do get the holidays off my friends in the military who are at home are off for over a month, the only people operating are essential staff. satellite dishes are all over Baghdad. what do phones have to do with an army communicating i doubt they are probably using sat. phones much like Osama. rebuilding the only the the Americans care about in Iraq is the oil black gold texas T. they chose to join the military where they went was out of thier hands. so they never actually said "hey I hear Baghdad is nic this time of year."
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Absence makes the heart grow fonder |
12-25-2003, 04:45 PM | #40 (permalink) | |
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good, iraq, things |
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