Sure does make one think.
The Cost of the Iraq war. Actually, I have alway's wondered why they call it a war. I mean, Hussein is dead. We took care of him. Who are we fighting? Why are we fighting them? I just don't get it. AND, everyday I read the news and more of our Soldiers have been killed. I say bring them home and bring them home now. Oh wait, I forgot El Presidente wants to send MORE troops to Iraq, so I guess they won't be coming home any time soon. Perhaps some of you have a loved one in Iraq fighting in the "war". I would love to hear your perspective on it. Or, some of you who know the "reason" we are there. I don't think it was ever made clear to the American people why we are there. Can anyone tell me?
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91needs to get out more
Have anyone's views changed with the passing of time?
Beach Fanatic
Well, at a time like this,
a four letter word comes to mind.
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Edit.
Beach Fanatic
Now here is a real man who calls Texas home:
That your old enough to vote?Who'd of thought.
SoWal Expert
No, I'm still voting for Willie. I hear he has plans to shake up the IRS.
Beach Fanatic
I still keep writing in Jeff Davis for President....

Beach Fanatic
I copied and pasted this from the Typical Politrick thread, post #15, from January 12th. It was 3am-ish, I had finished watching this film and was so upset I couldn't sleep:
Brace yourself. A nerve has been hit that is recently raw and you are about to see a serious side of me that very few have seen.
As a United States Air Force retiree and one who is still involved with activities at Tyndall and Eglin, I wish I didn't know as much as I do about what is really going on over there. I have always felt that if the truth were known about WHY the war is costing the taxpayers so much that we would have a national uprising like we've never seen before!
Finally a documentary has come out bringing that very truth to light.
We've all heard of KBR Halliburton, but that is just the tip of the multi-billion dollar iceberg fiasco. (www.halliburtonwatch.org)
I highly recommend, if you haven't seen it yet, to buy, not rent, but to buy a copy of "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers". I say "buy" because you should buy a copy and make sure everyone you know watches it!
Here's the synopsis:
Private contractors are getting rich while everybody else is suffering....Using whistleblower testimony, firsthand accounts, financial records and classified documents, (the director) levels charges of greed, corruption and incompetence against private contractors and shows the subsequent devastating effect on Americans and Iraqis.
Its not that we don't WANT to pull out of Iraq, but we CAN'T. Every day that we are there, these major corporations are making a fortune. Bloodmoney. Our troops are being held hostage in Iraq by these monsters. If we send 20,000 more troops they don't care. Soldiers are government issue, and expendable. But the biznesses will make 20 Billion more dollars off of them and I guess its worth it right?
It is blatantly criminal. Murder.
I did my time in the USAF as a Services Specialist. I turned down a job with KBR Halliburton 4 years ago when I heard first hand from my friends over there what was happening. They told me then that KBR stood for Kill, Bury and Replace, as that is how it treats its employees. As a D.A.V. Retiree, they welcomed me with open arms, (and open casket!) The only reason I looked into it was because I wanted to get more actively involved as a civilian since the events of that September morning.
Smiling Joe if you hated politicians before...you'll be in a complete rampage after watching this doc. This isn't just another "Fahrenheit 9/11", this is the real deal. And there is a huge media blackout over most of the coverage. I admire your intelligence and way with words and hope you'll watch this.
I've lost sleep over it. (its 3am-I'm still fuming!) I'm currently working with troops state side and abroad to get the word out, to be their mouthpiece, and say what they cannot say for fear of retribution.
When our Generals in charge of our troops are getting fired for speaking out....hell, I'm too pissed to keep writing.
Its sad that when someone has an email joke it circulates around the world in a matter of days, but when something like this comes out, no one has ever heard of it.
I encourage each of you, no, I challenge each of you to watch the film, only 1 hour 15 minutes, and tell at least two friends.
In the meantime go to the site www.halliburtonwatch.org. This is not hype. This is the truth. These Generals that are getting fired are finally able to speak out. My friends that are now high ranking (I've joined in 1984 and served during first Gulf War) are chomping at the bit to retire so they can go public.
(And yes, I served my country like my U.S. Marine Father (rest his soul!) and Marine Mother(combat boots and all) both in World War II, Army and Navy Brothers, (both in Viet Nam) before me, and yes, I even lied about my sexuality so I could serve, and if anyone has a problem with gays in the military they can kiss my ass. I enlisted. I went to Korea during the DMZ crisis. I put my life on the line. I served during the First Gulf War. AND I VOTE. What have YOU done?)
If this is one way that I can still serve my country, by letting the people know the truth, then this shall be my mission. No jokes. No smilies. No cute pictures. I've never been more serious.
And furthermore, this is not a Republican vs Democrat issue as there is much guilt on both sides. This is David vs Goliath. Us vs Them. Let's take back our country. We the people.
Serving your country does not mean donning a uniform and carrying an assault rifle. If doing your part means speaking out, writing letters to your congressmen, sending emails to your friends and family, then please do at least that much.
Just do the right thing.
Enuff said. I'm going to bed.
Kenny
Last edited by drunkkenartist : 01-12-2007 at 03:51 AM.
To this day my feelings have not changed and I have written several letters and forwarded these websites to all I know. I encourage y'all to do the same.
Thank you.
Kenny
Just wanted to say, I agree with you Kenny. I have been in the Army 24 years and this is the worst of times I have ever served through. I am sad to say sometimes I have actually been embarrassed to say I am an American Soldier. Don't get me wrong...I totally believe in the American Dream, I just believe that we are now living through an "American Nightmere". I pray every day that this "war" will end and that we might once again build our integrity back up with the rest of the world. I am very proud to serve this country, however, I do have my own personal opinions about its administration. I will contiune to put my uniform on everyday, do my job, salute the flag and bite my tongue until we the American Public can change what has become a total Cluster in D.C.
Thanks for your service as well!
As for the amount of money spent on this Iraq issue, well it is a goshdarned shame that we have allowed this to happen......
No offence to anyone out there..
Beach Fanatic
Just wanted to say, I agree with you Kenny. I have been in the Army 24 years and this is the worst of times I have ever served through. I am sad to say sometimes I have actually been embarrassed to say I am an American Soldier. Don't get me wrong...I totally believe in the American Dream, I just believe that we are now living through an "American Nightmere". I pray every day that this "war" will end and that we might once again build our integrity back up with the rest of the world. I am very proud to serve this country, however, I do have my own personal opinions about its administration. I will contiune to put my uniform on everyday, do my job, salute the flag and bite my tongue until we the American Public can change what has become a total Cluster in D.C.
Thanks for your service as well!
As for the amount of money spent on this Iraq issue, well it is a goshdarned shame that we have allowed this to happen......
No offence to anyone out there..
WoW....I read this and went to bed and then could not stop thinking
about you and how brave I think you are ....so I got up to say God bless you. It takes a lot of guts to write from the heart like that.

Beach Fanatic
Thank you for serving our country GIjo! I only wish that our military leaders could have talked honestly like you from the get-go. Things might have been different if that was the case.
Beach Fanatic
Thank you for serving our country GIjo! I only wish that our military leaders could have talked honestly like you from the get-go. Things might have been different if that was the case.
I have been in long enough to learn I don't have to be afraid of my own opinions. After all, I am an American Citizen and a tax payer as well. Honesty is a thing that we all have although deep within ourselves sometimes, and maybe our leaders just need to take a step back, look at themselves in the mirror and start with being honest with themselves. Thanks for the support!! We too often don't hear that enough these days. It is hard to be seen as "the problem" when all "WE" are doing is our job. Thanks again!!
Beach Fanatic
WoW....I read this and went to bed and then could not stop thinking
about you and how brave I think you are ....so I got up to say God bless you. It takes a lot of guts to write from the heart like that.
And for you, My Friend LIGHTWORKER, YOU and those like you are the reason I get up every morning, put my uniform on and go to work. You give me the purpose to serve this great country and the patience and understanding needed to see that we are a great nation because of our rights even though our rights and freedoms are taken advantage of at times.
for you, my friend!hmmmm......can't remember
No, I'm still voting for Willie. I hear he has plans to shake up the IRS.
I still keep writing in Jeff Davis for President....
I was wondering how this thread was in the Lounge. Hee, hee...
Thank you for serving our country GIjo!
I second that, GIjo! You have one of those jobs that actually matters to all of us. Respect & gratitude & prayers...

Meow
Go GIJo Go!!!!
I am counting how many candidates there are now and then will start counting backwards. Can a moderate win this election...:leaving:
I am counting how many candidates there are now and then will start counting backwards. Can a moderate win this election...:leaving:
Beach Fanatic
Just wanted to say, I agree with you Kenny. I have been in the Army 24 years and this is the worst of times I have ever served through. I am sad to say sometimes I have actually been embarrassed to say I am an American Soldier. Don't get me wrong...I totally believe in the American Dream, I just believe that we are now living through an "American Nightmere". I pray every day that this "war" will end and that we might once again build our integrity back up with the rest of the world. I am very proud to serve this country, however, I do have my own personal opinions about its administration. I will contiune to put my uniform on everyday, do my job, salute the flag and bite my tongue until we the American Public can change what has become a total Cluster in D.C.
Thanks for your service as well!
As for the amount of money spent on this Iraq issue, well it is a goshdarned shame that we have allowed this to happen......
No offence to anyone out there..
Wow! I was actually taking a little time from SoWal and the internet. I just took a trip to Costa Rica and it opened my eyes to how caught up I get in things. I am easily addicted! GIJo, your comments made me want to come out and thank you for speaking up. WE are the only ones that will make a CHANGE. I thank you for your dedication and service to our country.
Beach Fanatic
And for you, My Friend LIGHTWORKER, YOU and those like you are the reason I get up every morning, put my uniform on and go to work. You give me the purpose to serve this great country and the patience and understanding needed to see that we are a great nation because of our rights even though our rights and freedoms are taken advantage of at times.
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for you, my friend!
Thank you for your kind words...and know that many people around the world are looking for change.
Beach Fanatic
And for you, My Friend LIGHTWORKER, YOU and those like you are the reason I get up every morning, put my uniform on and go to work. You give me the purpose to serve this great country and the patience and understanding needed to see that we are a great nation because of our rights even though our rights and freedoms are taken advantage of at times.
![]()
for you, my friend!
Thank you for your kind words...and know that many people around the world are looking for change.
Bless You , GIjoBeach Fanatic
I'm happy to say I know a retired Navy Man, who also received a purple heart, who says Hillary is the smartest candidate. He is also a proud southerner. All of our opinions do need to be heard. I really appreciate and respect most of all the opinion's of the vets who have been there and done that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, drunkenartist, GIJjo, Bob, whoever else who served that I missed, and thanks for serving. I will get the movie and share it. It does seem so wrong for the rich to get richer from other's dying. It's just so wrong. I wonder if anyone on this board has stock in Halliburton? I wonder if any of the funds in our retirement 401ks are put in to these companies and we may not even know it if we have an acct. manager or don't read all the papers that come with some of these funds? I sure don't want to make any money off these young people dying in my retirement fund. 

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Who'd of thought. 