:: Friday, April 27, 2007 ::

Another milestone

I have successfully filled every position on a Humvee in a convoy. I have been a gunner, a driver, a truck commander, and a dismount. I have even been a convoy commander and have setup a convoy from step 1 through completion.

I'm not tooting my own horn, but that is saying quite a bit for a Specialist. Especially a supply specialist in a combat zone. Now I'm ready to hand over the mission; this is all way too much for me to handle. I have logistics work to do and not worry about this side mission, even thought it's logisitics.

OPSEC is a pain to work around.

Today has been another good, tiring day. Lately I have been feeling better about my job because I go to bed at night knowing that I accomplished something. I enhanced the mission. I used to get that feeling when Mac was here, but now I am the NCO (hopefully someday I'll BE an NCO) of the office and the captain looks to me for assistance.

The 45th Brigade commander (Thunderbirds!) was here a few days ago. He reassured everyone here that no one on this mission will be pulled for the Iraq deployment. However, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau told us that soldiers with critical jobs could be called on. I think it's all for show; words are words and actions are actions.

Of course, with this new bill in the works, none of us may be in Iraq in a year. If you have been living in a hole the last couple of years then I will set you straight on this. America hates the war in Iraq. Congress has decided to pass a bill requiring a timetable for the withdraw of forces in Iraq. The president has laughed in their faces and swears to veto the bill.

Now, we all know that even if the president vetoes a bill, congress can override a veto with a 2/3 vote. Currently, the votes don't lie in favor of this happenening. However, I think they will override it. Since all congressmen knew the bill would be vetoed, they voted in a manner which ran along party lines (for the most part) because they knew the bill wouldn't create any action. If an override vote occurs, then many congressmembers will see that action will be taken if they vote in favor of the bill and thus they will change their vote.

I am by far no political science major, but I definately place my bet on this occuring. It's what I would do. Why vote against your party when the bill will just vetoed and nothing will happen? Just wait until the veto and then change your vote to override the veto and force the bill into action. Americans want the troops out anyway so voting in favor would probably boost your rating (it's all about ratings).

My opinion? Leaving is by far the wrong answer. You can't just leave. The bill is written allowing support elements and training elements to stay in country, but that is the DUMBEST idea ever. Leave completely or don't leave at all. If you leave support elements in place and don't have combat troops patrolling, then the enemy will just walk up to the front gate and wreak havoc. The enemy will attack the main base, attack the troops home, and cause even greater damage to American lives. The combat troops take the fight to the enemy and that's how it should be.

It's all just too political for me, honestly. The troops doing the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq are hurting the most from all the fighting in Washington. While the politicians fight about when to leave and how, the American soldier is fighting for his life. America just needs to put the focus back where it should be: on the fight. If you have lost focus on the mission, you need to stop and find it again. America has lost focus on the soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors overseas fighting the war. Tell the lawmakers to make laws and get things done instead of arguing like high school kids.

My head hurts. I'm tired. All this thinking is making it worse. I'm going to go to bed and get ready for another day in the Stan. Another day in the fight getting real work done.

God is good. All the time.
Peace

:: Ben 12:25 PM [+] ::
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