Blatherskite: The rantings of the Terminally Ambivalent

Wednesday, 26 November 2003

There are times, and then there are Times
Once in a while, the hours and the days build up, and I start to get tired. I get to that point, now and then, where I start thinking of a nice, normal job, or perhaps still saving the world, but in not such an active, people-shooting-at-you and leaving-everyone-you-care-about sort of way. Perhaps I would be a decent teacher of mathematics, or go into social work. Maybe I could hold some public office, or work for an environmental organization.

Then something like this comes along. Please make sure to read down to the bottom. If you are pressed for time, look here first, then get back to the other story later.

I do not remember if I ever met CSM Blankenbecler, but it is possible, as I spent a good amount of time in Killeen, TX, USA, at the military installation on which he served, and some of that time was within the last 8 months. He has the distinction of being the most senior of the enlisted personnel killed here in Iraq. He leaves behind a widow and a daughter still in high school, as well as other adult children. He was 40 years old. Also killed in the attack was PFC Analaura Esparza-Gutierrez, 21.

I hear these reports every day. I hear about them from many countries. Sometimes the weapons are sophisticated, and sometimes it is a man with a sword, or with a rocket launcher on a donkey. And every time I hear the story of another death, another father, or son, or mother, or daughter, or lover, or friend that will never see home again, I have a similar reaction. I am convinced that, if I can do what I do well enough, I can prevent some of these deaths, and someone will be able to go home that might not have otherwise made it out of here alive.

But, as often happens, I ask myself questions.

"So, E., what about you?"

What about me?

Don't you want to get home alive?

That is about the stupidest thing I have been asked all day. Therefore, I know you're up to something. OK, I'll play. Yes, I would like to get home alive, and I think what I am doing will get me through this, too.

And if it doesn't? What is the acceptible trade? How many lives have to be saved to make yours a fair exchange? How many husbands and fathers will need to avoid an untimely and painful death, returning to their wives and children, in order to enable your widow and your children to stand at your graveside and say, "We will miss you, but your death allowed "XX" families to avoid this very moment, so we understand"?

Well?

There are times when I think that I think too much.

Posted by rant/blatherskite at 3:15 PM GMT
Updated: Wednesday, 26 November 2003 3:22 PM GMT
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Saturday, 29 November 2003 - 2:30 AM GMT

Name: tomar!
Home Page: https://www.angelfire.com/freak2/tomar

that letter was depressing. i only skimmed the article though.
would you mind explaining to me, in teenager-terms, what exactly is happening with the war? i get current events in school, but they seem to only give us the bare minimum, and that always seems to be a biased point of view anyway. and i despise he tv. so the only real news i get is from skimming the sunday paper, which doesnt help too much.

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Saturday, 29 November 2003 - 9:27 AM GMT

Name: Mr. E. Poet
Home Page: https://www.angelfire.com/rant/blatherskite

I will tell you what I can of the current status of the Occupation of Iraq, without violating my security clearance or giving away anything sensitive. I will try to be brief, but there isn't really a short answer. Remember that I do not speak for the Coalition. My opinions are my own, and I am not going to be saying anything that isn't available somewhere else.

Operations are currently grouped into two basic categories. The first is reconstruction. There are teams of engineers and labourers that are rebuilding bridges, restoring power, and repairing buildings. Additionally, there are teams of international legal and administrative specialists that are guiding the reconstruction of the political infrastructure. They are training police and army forces that are gradually taking over the protection of the Iraqi people. These teams are also finding people that committed crimes under the former regime, and holding them accountable. Abuse of power was pretty common in pre-Coalition Iraq, particularly in the judicial and law enforcement systems.

Admittedly, some of the physical damage was done by the war. The attacks, though, were amazingly precise. Frequently a building would be hit by an explosive so surgically that only one room would suffer any damage. There is a picture on this site displaying just such a strike.

Most of the damage to the infrastructure here appears to be from neglect. Saddam Hussein cared very little for people and places that did not directly concern him. Because of this, his hometown and his palaces, along with much of Baghdad, were in pretty good shape, while much of the rest of the nation, especially the northern regions, fell into serious disrepair.

The second category of operations is anti-terrorist. The finding of Weapons of Mass Destruction falls under this category, as well as locating training cells. Additionally, they are hunting down and dealing with the resistance groups that used to attack the troops, but have recently turned their attention to local citizens. The resistance plan appears to involve attacking ordinary, relatively unarmed people, who will in turn complain that the Coalition is not protecting them, and will eventually rise up and demand that the Coalition leave.

Having reviewed the two major areas of operation, here is the status. The reconstruction is going pretty well. Kids are going to school again. Doctors are back at work in hospitals. The first free election was held here well over a month ago. It was a municipality, but it was a start. There are immunizations being given. There is a ministry of Youth and Sport that has plans for a new sport stadium (I've seen the drawings, and it is a sharp looking facility). Those who abused people in the past are being found, and they will be held accountable. And there will be a Constitution in place here by July of next year, followed closely by national elections.

The anti-terrorist efforts are more difficult than the reconstruction. Particularly in the "Suni Triangle," where Saddam grew up and lavished most of the country's wealth, These people stand to lose the most in an equitable devision of resources, so they have the biggest beef against the Coalition. Previously, the local administration was satisfied to limit the damage and wait for local people to turn in the terrorists. Recently, though, the Coalition has begun an operation, codenamed "Iron Hammer", in which they take a more direct role in looking for the guys with the rocket launchers. It is my concern that the Coalition's patience will run out. At that point, and this is, again, only an opinion, the Special Operations Communities, in conjunction with portions of an American Marine Expiditionary Force, may go door-to-door in Mosul and Tikrit, as they did in Afghanistan. This would not make them any friends in that neighborhood, and they will eventually have to face a generation of angry young men that have been told all their lives about how that Australian or British or Yankee Corporal kicked in their door and dragged Uncle away.

But that is in the possible future, which is beyond my line of sight. I have now told you, to the best of my ability, the status of current operations in Iraq. If I can answer any other questions, feel free to ask.

E.