Letter from Marine officer in Iraq

Rob Instigator · 10.06.2006, 04:54 PM

Written last month, this straightforward account of life in Iraq by a Marine officer was initially sent just to a small group of family and friends. His honest but wry narration and unusually frank dissection of the mission contrasts sharply with the story presented by both sides of the Iraq war debate, the Pentagon spin masters and fierce critics. Perhaps inevitably, the "Letter from Iraq" moved quickly beyond the small group of acquantainaces and hit the inboxes of retired generals, officers in the Pentagon, and staffers on Capitol Hill. TIME's Sally B. Donnelly first received a copy three weeks ago but only this week was able to track down the author and verify the document's authenticity. The author wishes to remain anonymous but has allowed us to publish it here — with a few judicious omissions.

http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...0.html?cnn=yes

Tokolosh · 10.06.2006, 06:29 PM

Chilling read. Reminds me of my days in the red zone...

static-harmony · 10.06.2006, 06:59 PM

Depressing really it is. Made me sad. Wish the war is over, also for concern over my brother, and for other soldiers over there, and their families.

Bastian · 10.06.2006, 07:55 PM

It`s depressing, indeed. And it also reminds me of what those soldiers are going through, what they sacrifice to build a better future for Iraq and for the world. And it makes me very angry that people in Europe (and also in the US, i guess) compare them to Nazis! It`s so discusting.

I wish the war would be over, but I know it`s not. I hope that Iraqi democracy will prevail, that civil war will be prevented, and a stable iraqi state will evolve, without jihadist or sectarian violence. And I hope the best for the GIs over there.

Cantankerous · 10.06.2006, 07:57 PM

Fuck this war. I don't support their ignorant decision to "serve their country," and if you've got a problem with that, well, you can kiss my ass.

They made their beds and they can just lie in them.

Bastian · 10.06.2006, 07:58 PM

So you don`t care for the Iraqi people.. well, I do.

Cantankerous · 10.06.2006, 07:59 PM

I'm speaking of the United States military officials. I have no sympathy for murderers.

Bastian · 10.06.2006, 08:05 PM

Sadly, those "murderers" are all that stands between the Iraqis and a murderous civil war. Wouldn`t it be more wise to support them, to prevent more killings by murderous "insurgents", who shot people in the legs because they were short trousers or because they belong to the "wrong" confession of Islam (sunni/shia)?

Tokolosh · 10.06.2006, 08:09 PM

The soldiers that do the dirty work are in a different situation to the politicians and high officials, that sent them there. This war will not end as quick as most of us thought...

Cantankerous · 10.06.2006, 08:10 PM

I'm not talking about the politicians. I am talking about THE soldiers, out on the fucking warfront shooting innocent bystanders. I feel no sympathy for those motherfuckers. THEY are the ones who put themselves in that situation, they KNOW they could die. Hence,

You made your bed, now lie in it.

Bastian · 10.06.2006, 08:12 PM

They usually don`t shot innocent bystanders. And if they do, they get into trouble.

Cantankerous · 10.06.2006, 08:15 PM

Why is there a plethora of Iraqi civilians dead at the hands of the US military, then?

Bastian · 10.06.2006, 08:34 PM

Well.. Why is there a plethora of French civilians dead at the hands fo the US military, then, in 1944?

What I`m trying to say is.. civilian casualties will happen in a conflict, even if an army tries to prevent and minimize them. What the US Army does, in contrast to the forces they are fighting in Iraq. You can`t fight a war without civilian casulties. Of course, this doesn`t mean that you shouldn`t pay attention to civilians.. The contrary: civilian causulties should be reduced as much as possible, and sometimes even if that means a higher risk to the lives of your own soldiers. But in the end, there will still be civilian casulties, if civilians are living in the combat zone. You can`t fight a war without killing innocents.. it`s the human dilemma: there`s no perfect solution without negative aspects..

How to free Iraq from Saddam without innocent people dying? Impossible.
But keeping him in power? Still innocent people will die. More than if you invade? Very possible, if you think of the +/- 1 Million people killed during Saddam´s reign.

Of course, all this doesn`t mean I agree with every single action the US military did in Iraq. There might have been ilegitimate killings of civilians, and if those happened, I condemn them. But otherwise, I won`t call a GI a murderer if he`s fighting a just war against the real murderers, the baathists and jihadists in Iraq.

Cantankerous · 10.06.2006, 08:37 PM

We can't "free" Iraq. It's their own business, NOT ours. America needs to stop trying to be the world's 9-1-1 because it is not working to our advantage.

Ohama Beach `44 · 10.06.2006, 08:38 PM

bastian. i totally agree with you!!

Ohama Beach `44 · 10.06.2006, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cantankerous

We can't "free" Iraq. It's their own business, NOT ours. America needs to stop trying to be the world's 9-1-1 because it is not working to our advantage.

of course it is the business of a civilized community to free others from barbarianism like dictatorship and all it´s causes and effects on freedom and democracy.

Bastian · 10.06.2006, 08:45 PM

It`s not their own business.. it`s our business. If thousands of people in Iraq are killed by their murderous dictator, it`s our, it`s the world`s business to stop him!

Same goes for the genocide that`s happening in Darfur right now. It`s almost another Rwanda down there, and the world ignores it, and hides behind the "souvereignity of the nation Sudan" or whatever.. the mass murder must stop!

Cantankerous · 10.06.2006, 08:53 PM

Don't be a baby. MY country cannot even take care of it's own citizens. The last thing we need to worry about is the citizens of another country.

Bastian · 10.06.2006, 09:00 PM

The isolationist approach.. thank god American isolationism came to an end before it was too late.

static-harmony · 10.06.2006, 09:35 PM

My brother is not a murderer, he is just doing what he signed to do. That's what I hate blaming the soldiers and not the politicians or those in High rank positions.

10.06.2006, 04:54 PM	#1
Rob Instigator invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the land of the Instigator Posts: 27,991	Written last month, this straightforward account of life in Iraq by a Marine officer was initially sent just to a small group of family and friends. His honest but wry narration and unusually frank dissection of the mission contrasts sharply with the story presented by both sides of the Iraq war debate, the Pentagon spin masters and fierce critics. Perhaps inevitably, the "Letter from Iraq" moved quickly beyond the small group of acquantainaces and hit the inboxes of retired generals, officers in the Pentagon, and staffers on Capitol Hill. TIME's Sally B. Donnelly first received a copy three weeks ago but only this week was able to track down the author and verify the document's authenticity. The author wishes to remain anonymous but has allowed us to publish it here — with a few judicious omissions. http://www.time.com/time/world/artic...0.html?cnn=yes __________________ RXTT's Intellectual Journey - my new blog where I talk about all the books I read.
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 06:29 PM	#2
Tokolosh invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Plaza de Toros Posts: 6,731	Chilling read. Reminds me of my days in the red zone... __________________ Anything you can /imagine is real
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 06:59 PM	#3
static-harmony invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: outside L.A Posts: 5,156	Depressing really it is. Made me sad. Wish the war is over, also for concern over my brother, and for other soldiers over there, and their families. __________________
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 07:55 PM	#4
Bastian bad moon rising Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 178	It`s depressing, indeed. And it also reminds me of what those soldiers are going through, what they sacrifice to build a better future for Iraq and for the world. And it makes me very angry that people in Europe (and also in the US, i guess) compare them to Nazis! It`s so discusting. I wish the war would be over, but I know it`s not. I hope that Iraqi democracy will prevail, that civil war will be prevented, and a stable iraqi state will evolve, without jihadist or sectarian violence. And I hope the best for the GIs over there. __________________ Es ist schon seltsam und ich komm sogar ins Schwitzen wie wir beide nebeneinander auf dem Teppichboden sitzen
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 07:57 PM	#5
Cantankerous invito al cielo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A RETIREMENT HOME Posts: 18,499	Fuck this war. I don't support their ignorant decision to "serve their country," and if you've got a problem with that, well, you can kiss my ass. They made their beds and they can just lie in them. __________________ RETIRED
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 07:58 PM	#6
Bastian bad moon rising Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 178	So you don`t care for the Iraqi people.. well, I do. __________________ Es ist schon seltsam und ich komm sogar ins Schwitzen wie wir beide nebeneinander auf dem Teppichboden sitzen
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 07:59 PM	#7
Cantankerous invito al cielo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A RETIREMENT HOME Posts: 18,499	I'm speaking of the United States military officials. I have no sympathy for murderers. __________________ RETIRED
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:05 PM	#8
Bastian bad moon rising Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 178	Sadly, those "murderers" are all that stands between the Iraqis and a murderous civil war. Wouldn`t it be more wise to support them, to prevent more killings by murderous "insurgents", who shot people in the legs because they were short trousers or because they belong to the "wrong" confession of Islam (sunni/shia)? __________________ Es ist schon seltsam und ich komm sogar ins Schwitzen wie wir beide nebeneinander auf dem Teppichboden sitzen
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:09 PM	#9
Tokolosh invito al cielo Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Plaza de Toros Posts: 6,731	The soldiers that do the dirty work are in a different situation to the politicians and high officials, that sent them there. This war will not end as quick as most of us thought... __________________ Anything you can /imagine is real
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:10 PM	#10
Cantankerous invito al cielo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A RETIREMENT HOME Posts: 18,499	I'm not talking about the politicians. I am talking about THE soldiers, out on the fucking warfront shooting innocent bystanders. I feel no sympathy for those motherfuckers. THEY are the ones who put themselves in that situation, they KNOW they could die. Hence, You made your bed, now lie in it. __________________ RETIRED
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:12 PM	#11
Bastian bad moon rising Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 178	They usually don`t shot innocent bystanders. And if they do, they get into trouble. __________________ Es ist schon seltsam und ich komm sogar ins Schwitzen wie wir beide nebeneinander auf dem Teppichboden sitzen
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:15 PM	#12
Cantankerous invito al cielo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A RETIREMENT HOME Posts: 18,499	Why is there a plethora of Iraqi civilians dead at the hands of the US military, then? __________________ RETIRED
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:34 PM	#13
Bastian bad moon rising Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 178	Well.. Why is there a plethora of French civilians dead at the hands fo the US military, then, in 1944? What I`m trying to say is.. civilian casualties will happen in a conflict, even if an army tries to prevent and minimize them. What the US Army does, in contrast to the forces they are fighting in Iraq. You can`t fight a war without civilian casulties. Of course, this doesn`t mean that you shouldn`t pay attention to civilians.. The contrary: civilian causulties should be reduced as much as possible, and sometimes even if that means a higher risk to the lives of your own soldiers. But in the end, there will still be civilian casulties, if civilians are living in the combat zone. You can`t fight a war without killing innocents.. it`s the human dilemma: there`s no perfect solution without negative aspects.. How to free Iraq from Saddam without innocent people dying? Impossible. But keeping him in power? Still innocent people will die. More than if you invade? Very possible, if you think of the +/- 1 Million people killed during Saddam´s reign. Of course, all this doesn`t mean I agree with every single action the US military did in Iraq. There might have been ilegitimate killings of civilians, and if those happened, I condemn them. But otherwise, I won`t call a GI a murderer if he`s fighting a just war against the real murderers, the baathists and jihadists in Iraq. __________________ Es ist schon seltsam und ich komm sogar ins Schwitzen wie wir beide nebeneinander auf dem Teppichboden sitzen
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:37 PM	#14
Cantankerous invito al cielo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A RETIREMENT HOME Posts: 18,499	We can't "free" Iraq. It's their own business, NOT ours. America needs to stop trying to be the world's 9-1-1 because it is not working to our advantage. __________________ RETIRED
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:38 PM	#15
Ohama Beach `44 empty page Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 7	bastian. i totally agree with you!!
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:45 PM	#17
Bastian bad moon rising Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 178	It`s not their own business.. it`s our business. If thousands of people in Iraq are killed by their murderous dictator, it`s our, it`s the world`s business to stop him! Same goes for the genocide that`s happening in Darfur right now. It`s almost another Rwanda down there, and the world ignores it, and hides behind the "souvereignity of the nation Sudan" or whatever.. the mass murder must stop! __________________ Es ist schon seltsam und ich komm sogar ins Schwitzen wie wir beide nebeneinander auf dem Teppichboden sitzen
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 08:53 PM	#18
Cantankerous invito al cielo Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: A RETIREMENT HOME Posts: 18,499	Don't be a baby. MY country cannot even take care of it's own citizens. The last thing we need to worry about is the citizens of another country. __________________ RETIRED
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 09:00 PM	#19
Bastian bad moon rising Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berlin Posts: 178	The isolationist approach.. thank god American isolationism came to an end before it was too late. __________________ Es ist schon seltsam und ich komm sogar ins Schwitzen wie wir beide nebeneinander auf dem Teppichboden sitzen
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|

10.06.2006, 09:35 PM	#20
static-harmony invito al cielo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: outside L.A Posts: 5,156	My brother is not a murderer, he is just doing what he signed to do. That's what I hate blaming the soldiers and not the politicians or those in High rank positions. __________________
	\|QUOTE AND REPLY\|