NationStates Jolt Archive

A sample of things American soldiers are writing home:

"Today I got to witness firsthand a new democracy take its first steps. At about 10am the streets were packed with large crowds of people walking to the polls. We were on edge waiting for more attacks that never came. By about 3pm we could relax a bit and talk to the people. The site was amazing."

"The media have it bass-ackwards. Some of my guys ferried Dan Rather around the countryside. CBS, NBC, PBS and CNN just don't get it -- their reports completely failed to show the incredible energy and joy these voters exhibited."

"As everyone came to work they were showing me the ink on their index fingers. This is the first time in their lives they have been able to exercise such a right -- the simple act of voting -- and getting their say in who governs them -- the looks on their faces say it all. I hope we stay in Iraq and finish this."

"We dismounted from our vehicles and were instantly mobbed by about 200 kids. The kids were all over the place playing in the streets while their parents voted. I have never seen anything like it. People everywhere wanted to talk to us and thank us. This is what it must have been like when the Allies liberated Paris."

"Iraqis of all ages wanted to shake our hands and thank us for allowing them to vote. The kids were proud to tell us that their parents voted. Adult after adult wanted to thank us for making this day happen. When the Iraqis voted they dipped their fingers in indelible purple ink so that polling officials could tell who had already voted. When we walked the streets the Iraqis would hold their purple fingers up in the air as a mark of pride."

"The Iraqis' statements to us were all the same: 'Thank you for your sacrifices for the Iraqi people.' 'Thank you for making this day possible.' 'The United States is the true democracy in the world and is the country that makes freedom possible.' 'God blessed the Iraqi people and the United States this day.' 'This day is like a great feast, a wonderful holiday'."

"I shook more hands today then I have ever in my life. If you missed a hand, they would follow for a mile to get a chance to shake and say thanks. It was nothing like we expected or have ever seen. The Iraqi people were strong and brave today. The Iraqis were stoic to danger, faced fear, and went out and voted. Then after they voted the Iraqis stayed on the streets to celebrate by singing, dancing, and trying to shake the hand of any American that they could find."

"A homicide bomber drove up to a polling site, which was not too far from us, but he did not kill anybody but himself. After the bomb went off, the Iraqi voters calmly walked out of the polling site and spit on the remains of the suicide bomber. The polling site stayed open and the voting continued. That incident ran all day long on Iraqi TV -- but not on U.S. TV."

"I have a sense of well being, satisfaction, exhilaration, NO mostly pride. And that feeling was all through the camp. I can't describe the feeling, but it was something in the air."

Awesome, if true. I hope that it is.

well it should be true. No one's denying media bias here. NPR did run a report on how well the elections ran.

*Claps*

Afghanistan: check.

Iraq: check.

North Korea: here we come.

I guess those comments did'nt come from the thousands that died on "election" day?

I guess those comments did'nt come from the thousands that died on "election" day?

Last time I checked, 27 or so =/= 1000.

*Claps*

Afghanistan: check.

Iraq: check.

North Korea: here we come.

actually, i think its Iran. Because the troops can walk. then syria, then NK

Last time I checked, 27 or so =/= 1000.

or a reference to the thousands that have died since the American 'liberation'

*Claps*

Afghanistan: check.

Iraq: check.

North Korea: here we come.


I could be wrong but I do not think the USA will touch N Korea.

N Korea will hit back.

I guess those comments did'nt come from the thousands that died on "election" day?Uh, what?

Sure, sure, we can all trust the media now.

Honastly, you think you can trust the major media outlets of the world? Name one of them that isnt under goverment control.

American ones are probably the least free of all the media outlets in the world. You ever heared of the FCC? They censor everything that comes in or goes out of the media outlets.

Do not kid yourself.

...since the American 'liberation'

*Sighs and shakes head*

I don't want to be the one that starts the inevitable debate in this thread, so that's all I'll say for now.

I go for the BBC, NYTimes, NPR, and, just for a little diversity, FOX

or a reference to the thousands that have died since the American 'liberation'

Your point? Had we not gotten Hussein out of power, he'd have murdered ten times that amount by now. Yes, we liberated Iraq. Elections occur in free countries. To liberate means to set free. Common sense, man.

N Korea will hit back.

Probably. And if they do, we'll turn them into a parking lot. One that glows in the dark.

I could be wrong but I do not think the USA will touch N Korea.

N Korea will hit back.

I hope we won't have to. I'm praying for diplomacy to work on this one. I think we should just send someone in and take out Jong-Il. Should've done it for Iraq.

Sure, sure, we can all trust the media now.

Honastly, you think you can trust the major media outlets of the world? Name one of them that isnt under goverment control.

American ones are probably the least free of all the media outlets in the world. You ever heared of the FCC? They censor everything that comes in or goes out of the media outlets.

Do not kid yourself.You know, mods like BLARGistania ban n00bs like you.

I just called it the American 'liberation' cause thats what Bush likes to call it. I prefer it to be known as the American Invasion, but whatever.

You know, mods like BLARGistania ban n00bs like you.
thats right. Bow to my modliness. Yes. That great and wonderful thing I don't have.

Probably. And if they do, we'll turn them into a parking lot. One that glows in the dark.
yea....but China may not take that too well....and try turn you lot into a parking lot.

then you fire back...and were all fucked


good plan http://f1-forums.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/thumb2.gif

I just called it the American 'liberation' cause thats what Bush likes to call it. I prefer it to be known as the American Invasion, but whatever.

Invasion, yes. But that makes it sound like we went there to throw all the ones who arent' white, blonde, and straight into concentration camps.

thats right. Bow to my modliness. Yes. That great and wonderful thing I don't have.BLARG you idiot. You're suppose to say, "Yeah n00b stop making shit up or I'll ban you." That's how we can get rid of all the idiot n00bs.

Invasion, yes. But that makes it sound like we went there to throw all the ones who arent' white, blonde, and straight into concentration camps.
coughcoughpatriotactcoughcough

what?

Probably. And if they do, we'll turn them into a parking lot. One that glows in the dark.

Yep.

I am not suprised that at least one person in here is not gung-ho about the iraqi liberation... sad, but not surprised. When you don't want something to happen, and it does happen... you're not generally happy about it.

BLARG you idiot. You're suppose to say, "Yeah n00b stop making shit up or I'll ban you." That's how we can get rid of all the idiot n00bs.
prolly didn't see the post anyway. If he did, he prolly missed the sarcasm. Then missed the response. After all, he is a n00b.

coughcoughpatriotactcoughcough

what?

coughthisfadisreallyoldcough

Besides, the government holds the right to do what it sees necessary to protect its nation. And, do you see any camps full of thousands upon thousands of muslims? Didn't think so.

coughthisfadisreallyoldcough

Besides, the government holds the right to do what it sees necessary to protect its nation. And, do you see any camps full of thousands upon thousands of muslims? Didn't think so.
coughcoughnoitsnotcoughcough

Second, you don't see the camps with muslims because upon entering the US, they are taken into custody, held with charge, no notice is ever given out, then after the year or so it takes to check them out, they're usually deported.

And the patriot act is in violation of the constitution, so yeah, government rights under necessary and proper do not apply when a conflict with the law of the land is in place.

coughthisfadisreallyoldcough

Besides, the government holds the right to do what it sees necessary to protect its nation. And, do you see any camps full of thousands upon thousands of muslims? Didn't think so.
you have heard of Guantanemo Bay?

maybe not thousands and thousands...but still

I hope we won't have to. I'm praying for diplomacy to work on this one. I think we should just send someone in and take out Jong-Il. Should've done it for Iraq.

Not that simple. I listened to a guy talk that did the diplomate thing over there.

If we take him out, we have to take out a bunch of people. There are guys in back of him that make him look like a nice guy.

coughcoughnoitsnotcoughcough

Second, you don't see the camps with muslims because upon entering the US, they are taken into custody, held with charge, no notice is ever given out, then after the year or so it takes to check them out, they're usually deported.

And the patriot act is in violation of the constitution, so yeah, government rights under necessary and proper do not apply when a conflict with the law of the land is in place.

I fly quite frequently, and have never seen this happen. You're wrong, I'm sorry. Point to the place in the constitution where it says that the Patriot act is unconstitutional. I know it's not a good law, and I know it needs to be revised. But it's a necessary evil. Would rather have another 9/11? Don't know about you, but I'd rather like to avoid that type of situation.

Your point? Had we not gotten Hussein out of power, he'd have murdered ten times that amount by now. Yes, we liberated Iraq. Elections occur in free countries. To liberate means to set free. Common sense, man.

I seem to recall the purpose being that Sadaam was a danger to the United States since he was building his Nuke program again.

We are now liberators since we could find any nukes?

glad to see so many people in support of the war here. the election was terrific.


"FREEDOM ISN'T FREE"

http://anysoldier.com/index.cfm

I seem to recall the purpose being that Sadaam was a danger to the United States since he was building his Nuke program again.

We are now liberators since we could find any nukes?

Yes. He was adanger to his own country as well as ours. Christ, you people act like it's a terrible thing that Saddam Hussein is out of power and that they have elctions.

Yes. He was adanger to his own country as well as ours. Christ, you people act like it's a terrible thing that Saddam Hussein is out of power and that they have elctions.

An election is just the baby starting to crawl.

How long did it take for slavery to end?
How long did it take for women to get the vote?
How long did it take to end black discrimination?

Sadaam killing his people was only a tiny reason for his removal.

How many people died in Dafur? The guys in the Sudan goverment are not exactly nice people. Why didn't we invade to stop that slaughter? Isn't it a good thing they get removed from power?

Democracy doesn't happen because people got out and voted. Especially when it seems that many were voting to get their country back as in the Americans leaving.

Sure, sure, we can all trust the media now.

Honastly, you think you can trust the major media outlets of the world? Name one of them that isnt under goverment control.

American ones are probably the least free of all the media outlets in the world. You ever heared of the FCC? They censor everything that comes in or goes out of the media outlets.

Do not kid yourself.
OMG! I think we may have the....

MKULTRA Incarnate!

This really has little to do with the topic, but there's a political cartoon that has an Iraqi and an American, and the question is asked "Why didn't you vote on election day?"

The Iraqi replied, saying "My voting house was destroyed by mortar fire."

The American replied "It rained."

EDIT:

Yes. He was adanger to his own country as well as ours. Christ, you people act like it's a terrible thing that Saddam Hussein is out of power and that they have elctions.

You're honestly surprised at this? Many of the Bush haters on this thread would find something wrong with Bush saving a baby from a crazed pyscho, or donating $7 trillion to a children's charity.

I could be wrong but I do not think the USA will touch N Korea.

N Korea will hit back.

Not a concern. Not a contest. Not a problem.

It's geopolitical. It's far more effective to let China handle those dementos than do it ourselves.

You're honestly surprised at this? Many of the Bush haters on this thread would find something wrong with Bush saving a baby from a crazed pyscho, or donating $7 trillion to a children's charity.

:rolleyes:

Democracy doesn't happen because people got out and voted. Especially when it seems that many were voting to get their country back as in the Americans leaving.

Your proof for this allegation?

The people? You mean the Shiites, who by force of numbers were given power in Iraq.. seems they are going to put Al Sistani in power! Hell, the Shias are going to be all happy about that.. not..

If you people think that one election solves the mess that iraq is, you are as naive (or dumb) as Bush proclaiming "mission acomplished".. before losing 1000 more men, that is.

Your proof for this allegation?

The NPR broadcast. People over there watching the voting. They heard it several times talking to people.

But they did impress that their findings didn't mean everybody(which I should have said) they just found it interesting to hear similar comments from different people.

Time will tell.

However, all I am arguing is that many people here and around me have this vision that since they had an election, they are going to be a nice democracy now. It takes awhile.

While the Iraqi election isn't the be-all-end-all, it is a step in the right direction. We now have seen that the Shi'a and the Kurds are interested in a solution, and that some of the Sunnis are.

Now, we do know that the Sunnis will be underrepresented, but, it's important to remember that the Iraqi Sunnis are more than likely going to not be revenge driven. I'd suspect that we do see attempts to reach out to the Sunnis in the Constitution, and if it seems magnanimous enough, we might see the Sunnis turn out in sufficient numbers in the next election.

Baby steps still can take one down the road to success.

I guess those comments did'nt come from the thousands that died on "election" day?

I'm just going to quote this so we can all laugh at it.

I guess those comments did'nt come from the thousands that died on "election" day?

Kinda reminds me of Skapedroe.

I fly quite frequently, and have never seen this happen. You're wrong, I'm sorry. Point to the place in the constitution where it says that the Patriot act is unconstitutional. I know it's not a good law, and I know it needs to be revised. But it's a necessary evil. Would rather have another 9/11? Don't know about you, but I'd rather like to avoid that type of situation.


Homer: Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol must be working like a charm.

Lisa: That's spacious reasoning, Dad.

Homer: Thank you, dear.

Lisa: By your logic I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.

Homer: Oh, how does it work?

Lisa: It doesn't work.

Homer: Uh-huh.

Lisa: It's just a stupid rock.

Homer: Uh-huh.

Lisa: But I don't see any tigers around, do you?

Homer: Lisa, I want to buy your rock.

How many people died in Dafur? The guys in the Sudan goverment are not exactly nice people. Why didn't we invade to stop that slaughter? Isn't it a good thing they get removed from power?


Gee, I guess the UN isn't moving fast enough on this issue. Cause you know that the US is playing by the "rules" now. We went through the UN and introduced a resolution calling for sanctions and for taking a tough stand, but wouldn't you know it, it didn't go through. And hey if we went in there like we did in Iraq, you'd be saying that the US is a war monger, an oppressor, and that they shouldn't be there.

Gee, I guess the UN isn't moving fast enough on this issue. Cause you know that the US is playing by the "rules" now. We went through the UN and introduced a resolution calling for sanctions and for taking a tough stand, but wouldn't you know it, it didn't go through. And hey if we went in there like we did in Iraq, you'd be saying that the US is a war monger, an oppressor, and that they shouldn't be there.

So you know what I would say? Sorry sweety. Genocide bad. I am all for invasion of countries that do that. I wanted us to send troops to Rwanda but Bill didn't want to do it because people were upset by Somalia. So 2 friends and 800000 other people got the pleasure of getting hacked and or stabbed to death.

I wonder what would have happened if they were an oil producer.

Probably. And if they do, we'll turn them into a parking lot. One that glows in the dark.


Doubt that very very highly. N korea has nuclear capability also and has China as an ally. I do not think the UN will support this war and could ignite WW3 if China would enter the fray or if N Korea would decide to use its nuclear capabilities.

yea....but China may not take that too well....and try turn you lot into a parking lot.

then you fire back...and were all fucked


good plan http://f1-forums.co.uk/forums/images/smilies/thumb2.gif

*Coughs and Begins Chinese Voice* No, No, China likes to make money off of stupid Americans! *End Chinese Voice*

They wouldnt ruin a trade relationship.