OT: Monday Morning Quarterbacks

[Guest guest]

Too bad we don't have IM Butch!

 

I understand your points. Especially re: the flag/statue/soldier event. And I

know you will accept my disagreement. Yes, the soldier is young. Yes, it

was an emotional moment. Yes, I believe our troops deserve to feel good for a

job more than well done and I'll be there to welcome home or send welcome home

wishes in NYC. BUT I also believe we need to be sensitive to the Iraqi people's

cultures/society/views. It's THEIR country, bottom line - to me anyway.

 

On another note...getting ready for a big 'ol All American baseball game here as

a fundraiser for my kids' school. Faculty/Alumni vs. Parents.

 

I'd like to make a small AT 'thank you' for everyone who signed up to play

(40!!). Very basic would be a small rice pillow. Anyone have any other ideas

for something simple I could make? Remember I'm the amateur who mainly uses AT

for laboring moms.

 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

Dale

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hey Dale,

 

> That's what I was wondering about, thanks Butch. I saw the plight of

> the Baghdad zoo animals last night. I saw that the troops were trying

> to help the animals. Reminded me of the abandoned animals at Sarajevo.

 

You mean those blood-thirsty American dudes were actually helping out

poor, less than dumb, but helpless critters? ;-p

 

> Then I started thinking are we going to be criticized for helping the

> zoo animals more than the humans?

 

Somebody will criticize .. one of the media channels that is short of

hot news will make a twisted point of it.

 

> Talk about a lot of second 'guessing'/thinking that's going to be

> happening right now and now for a long time.

 

I'll tell you another comic episode we have to live through .. President

Bush is trying to get the UN Security Council to lift the sanctions on

Iraq .. that will better facilitate the rendering of aid. But the UNSC

is playing mind games .. they say they can't do that until its declared

that Iraq is free of weapons of mass destruction. Don't gotta be a dang

rocket scientist to see what their aim is .. but you'd have to be some

kinda dummy to believe that George Bush is gonna play into their hands.

 

Watch what happens .. General Powell is gonna embarrass the knuckleheads

who are conspiring .. it will be THEIR FAULT .. not ours .. if actions

are not taken to improve the situation in Iraq .. get ready for one big

Mexican standoff. ;-p

 

> I was immediately gasping for breath when I saw our soldier put the

> American flag on the statue. Dale

 

That act didn't bother me at all .. it was a spontaneous act by a young

soldier who had kicked butt and took names and wanted to do something

that to him was symbolic of their success .. unfortunately, the Arab

media turned it into an act of occupation and the American media took it

to the hilt. The troop was ordered to take it down within seconds of

putting it up .. by a sergeant .. not an officer. It was an act of pure

emotion .. no more or less significant than the young killers feeding

animals at the zoo.

 

Those who wish to criticize the actions of young soldiers can easily

find something to report .. those who wish to praise them can find lots

to praise .. different folks viewing the same act can draw different

conclusions .. depends on who they are and where they're sitting. But I

think we will see some media criticism of such actions.

 

As for me .. I have nothing but praise and admiration for the troops ..

I do expect a bit more from staff planners .. my last stateside position

was PM Chief of Operations and Plans at the Army Component of Central

Command .. so I know the expectations. But time will tell if it is a

situation of me and others not being aware of all the pertinent facts.

 

Y'all keep smiling, Butch