A “Rupert” debriefing.
I didn’t get to talk to “Rupert” all last week except that he was able to call me on my birthday because he’d just gotten to the new base and hadn’t been sent out to the field to join the unit yet. He joined them on Tuesday, where they were already in the middle of the field training, and it’s a little awkward for him because they don’t really have anything for him to do, mostly because he hasn’t had all the update training yet and he’s been out for 10 years and most things have changed. Plus, he doesn’t know anybody, didn’t even have all his equipment yet, and so on. It kinda sucks for him right now, frankly. Like being the new kid in school and not having all your books.
But at least he’s not bored anymore. He says it’s been 18-hour days since Tuesday, with no end in sight. He does some classroom stuff and spent a day qualifying on the M4 range, but mostly he’s out doing field exercises based on a simulated FOB (forward operating base) that’s supposed to replicate the conditions of the environment in Iraq. He says he’s heard that the FOB’s in Iraq are way better than this, so there’s nowhere to go but up.
He said that five times a day, they simulate the Muslim call to prayer and that it is some seriously loud shit. It also doubles as their alarm clock at 5 a.m. every day. Bet that’s soothing.
For a few weeks now, he’s back at garrison, doing classroom training and spending time in the TOC (Tactical Operation Center). Then two and a half weeks back out in the field doing the ARTEP (Army Readiness Training Evaluation Program). In case you wonder how I know these fancy acronyms, he gave me a cheat sheet. Duh.
After that, he gets a 4-day pass to come back to Texas. A Friday through a Monday, which sounds painfully short but I’ll take every minute I can get. I had no idea what it was like to miss someone like this. No idea.
Soon after that, he and the unit go to the Middle East for theater-specific training and acclimation, and after that, to Baghdad. Honestly, the whole thing has me so freaked out at this point, I can’t even really absorb it all. It’s only become truly real to me in the last week or so. This is actually happening. I simply can’t believe it.
I’ve been reading Michael Yon’s book, Moment of Truth in Iraq, and it simultaneously horrifies and comforts me. Some very bad things go on over there. Very bad. But the troops are solid and they’re doing a great job. I also know this through a blog I read by a Navy man who’s the brother of one of my frequent commenters, Otcconan. His name is James Aalan Bernsen and posts like this one about the surge give me immense hope and calmness.
Rupert told me last night (he had to sneak out from the TOC to make the call) that at least half the computers are personal computers of the officers there, and he doesn’t have one to work on. Nice job, Army. Jesus. Before he left, though, he’d stuck his laptop and some other stuff in a backpack so it’d be ready to go when he came back on leave before going to Baghdad, because he knew he’d want to take it there if not to training. So I’m gonna ship that to him today so he’ll have a computer to work on.
So, that’s the latest. He won’t complain about anything but I know he’s pretty aggravated about some things right now. The confusion and inefficiency are a serious pain in the ass. Oh, and he’s had some serious nerve pain issues with his shoulder and neck for a long time, and now, having to wear the body armor several hours a day, which is HEAVY, is really jacking that up and making it worse. Like I said, he doesn’t complain but oh my God, it makes me crazy not being able to help him somehow.
Know what I mean? I feel like a colossal asshole for sleeping in a comfy bed with comfy pillows in a quiet room every night while these guys are out there sleeping on cots in tents and lugging around half their weight in body armor every day. I also feel like a colossal asshole for never worrying about this stuff before. It’s not like the war started the day Rupert got called up. I guess sometimes things just have to get personal for a person to wake up to certain painful realities.
It just sucks. That’s what I know. I wish I had something profound to say about it but I don’t. It just sucks. I never really “got it” when I heard or read about how deployments wreak havoc on the troops’ families and how that in itself makes it so much harder for the troops themselves. Oh, I get it now, way more than I ever wanted to. I’m not saying my life is havoc right now, far from it. I just finally get what’s so different about your loved one being away from you for this reason as opposed to other reasons like college or moving across country or whatever. People do those things for themselves. They serve in the military for everyone else, and it’s physically, psychologically, and mentally a world apart.
And I tell you what, it makes me want to dismember people like Ian Murphy (who I shall not link to on second thought) and feed the parts to my dogs. I read about this worthless shithead on Cassy Fiano’s blog, and here’s what he has to say about men like my boyfriend:
So, 4,000 rubes are dead. Cry me the Tigris. Another 30,000 have been seriously wounded. Boo fucking hoo. They got what they asked for—and cool robotic limbs, too.
Likely, just reading the above paragraph made you uncomfortable. But why?
The benevolence of America’s “troops” is sacrosanct. Questioning their rectitude simply isn’t done. It’s the forbidden zone. We may rail against this tragic war, but our soldiers are lauded by all as saints. Why? They volunteered to partake in this savage idiocy, and for this they deserve our utmost respect? I think not.
The nearly two-thirds of us who know this war is bullshit need to stop sucking off the troops. They get enough action raping female soldiers and sodomizing Iraqi detainees.
Give me five minutes alone with this fucker. Five minutes, that’s all I need. I’ll teach him all about “boo fucking hoo” and sodomy.
While I wait for that to be arranged, I’ll continue respecting Rupert and all other troops whose jobs it is to make it possible for shit-eaters like Ian Murphy to call them rapists. Although in a perfect world, anyone who didn’t “respect” the military would be relieved of its protection and made to fend for themselves in their own little pussified utopian colony somewhere, where hopefully they’d all die in a fire.
UPDATED to say that although I’ve never posted what unit or even battalion he’s in, or the names of any of the bases he’s been on or will be on, I’m told I should even give general dates and locations for anything like I did on this post. So I removed the dates. Please please please tell me if this is still too much information.
Forget that pansy-assed POS, Rachel. Most of us don’t know you personally, and vice-versa, but you know that we are all on your side and only wishing the best for Rupert. Shit-heads like Ian Murphy will never know how good they have it because of guys like Rupert.
I’m almost positive that I can speak for every religious person here in saying that Rupert will be in our prayers. Keep your chin up. We’re not going anywhere.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:18 pmESTI never really “got it” when I heard or read about how deployments wreak havoc on the troops’ families and how that in itself makes it so much harder for the troops themselves.
I’m sorry that you are going through this, especially without the support that is so important from other spouses/girlfriends in the unit. I’m telling you, if it had not been for them sticking by my side when hit dead end those fourteen months, I would have lost my fucking mind. It does suck.
When my husband went over in theatre both times the last couple of years,he had to go from an Army base. He is Marine Corps. I think the thing that bothered him the most was all the pointless sitting around and insane bureaucratic rules. I’m surprised he is still walking because quite often he ‘forgets’ to use his inside voice and makes sure that incompetents know what he thinks of their stupid rules.
Also, when Rupert gets into theatre, make sure you send him phone cards so he can call home. AT&T has some that are international and they are pretty good. If there is one person he should make friends with, it is probably the Comm guys. My husband is a Comm officer and it was truly sweet to be married to the person who controlled the phones and computers at the regiment when he was gone.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:19 pmESTJeez, I hate people who start sentences with “so” and “like.” I so like want to bitch-slap them.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pmESTHi Rachel. I’m sorry, it sucks. You’re right, there’s really nothing more to say.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:26 pmESTRachel,
Remember to be careful posting military things here. If you have any friends, family members, or readers that are military it might be a good idea to run any Rupert postings by them before you publish them.
Brian
April 28th, 2008 at 1:31 pmESTThanks for these updates on Rupert.
A couple of years ago, my good friend (she introduced my husband and I back in our early Army days in Germany) was deployed to Qatar. Her girls are the same exact age as my kids and as I watched my son go through his pre-teen stuff, loving every minute with him, my heart ached at the thought of missing a single second. And yet my friend went through it for 14 incredibly critical months of her daughters’ development.
How does one go about thanking her for that year away from her family that she’ll never get back? I don’t know - you just can’t. I try - every time I see someone in uniform - to thank them as wholeheartedly and sincerely as I can. Of course, I’m a little sheepish due to my six years of peace-time service (living in Germany was an adventure, not a sacrifice!) - but my gratitude is no less heart-felt. I know it doesn’t amount to much, but they still need to know that we care and value their sacrifices. That’s why I’m so glad you keep us updated on Rupert.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:32 pmESTRe: ian murphy. Don’t feed the trolls. He’s just hoping to provoke you. Seriously, you shouldn’t even link to him.
Most of us appreciate Rupert’s service. And his (and your) sacrifice.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pmESTTo piggyback on hi_desertgirl:
Also tell him to make friends with USO personnel wherever he goes that they are. I’ve worked with them and they are very willing to lend a helping hand, especially to the more personable troops.
And not to worry you at all, but should Rupert get hurt, please know that he’s in excellent hands. If you have any questions about the medevac system feel free to contact me. I worked in the system and still know people that are working at Ramstein (the medevac hub).
April 28th, 2008 at 1:35 pmESTFive minutes with ‘im, that’s all I ask.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pmESTFive minutes alone while you go run fo’
the doctah an’ the priest…
Rachel,
April 28th, 2008 at 1:45 pmESTIf you want to impress him ask him about his SAEDA briefing (Subversion and Espioniage Directed against the Army). As a 97B (now 35L), thats a biggie, especially when it deals with OPSEC (Operational Security). I doubt Rupert would give you any information that would compromise OPSEC.
Rachel;
There are far too many seriously under-spanked nitwits on the loose in our society, and sometimes it seems that the majority of them have found a way to display their ignorance and bad manners on the ‘Net.
Comfort yourself with the thought that, with an attitude like that, this twit will spend his days gumming up the service portion of the economy; selling shirts or flipping burgers.
Serves his right.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:46 pmESTRachel,
If you go back to my brother’s archives and look at the training he received, prior to his deployment in theater, a hell of a lot of it is what Rupert is going through.
The Army is truly awesome. Even people who are not going to be in combat (Jim is intelligence and sits at a desk) have to train as if they were. So he had to go through convoy training and the like. He is also his unit’s “Combat Life Saver,” which is like a medic, only he carries a gun.
The point I’m getting at is, that since the surge, they have been training each and every soldier for the contingency that they may be involved in combat. Though the only combat Jim has experienced has been infrequent mortar and rocket attacks (one which perforated his trailer…we are grateful he was not home), he is prepared for just about anything.
It eases one’s mind a bit to know that, in the event the shit hits the fan, one’s loved one is ready to do what is needed. I have no doubts that Jim can take care of himself in this eventuality. He’s pretty damn brave, just from things I’ve seen on the farm.
He put on his armor and rode from Victory to the Green Zone for Aggie Muster. Well, only an Aggie would do that, but you get my drift.
P.S. It wasn’t my intention, but it’s kinda cool to think my brother is going to get a Rachelanche.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:52 pmESTI just read the Ian Murphy shit. It made me vomit in my mouth a little. He’s a pompous asshole and I am ashamed to have read his drivel. I’ll hold him down while you beat him. It makes me sick that guys like Rupert are fighting for this guy to have the right to spout his crap.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:07 pmESTRachel, you can save yourselves a few keystrokes by omitting the “quotes” around “Rupert.” We all know that’s not his real name. We still honor and respect his anonymous self.
More seriously, of course you’re going to worry, but he’s going to be fine. My aunt had 3 boys go to Iraq. One just got back from his 2nd tour there, plus he had a brief deployment in Afghanistan. All 3 came back with nary a scratch on them. Plus, think of how many people you’ve got praying for him, now!
April 28th, 2008 at 2:09 pmESTTrue that, Pat. I’d love to have that many people praying for me.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:17 pmESTRachel,
April 28th, 2008 at 2:20 pmESTThe unit he will go over with will have a support network. You need to get plugged in, the will keep you informed when Rupert can’t. He will probably be going with a NG unit, ask him to ask guys in the unit who is leading the Spouse/Girlfiend(I didn’t spell that wrong) Support network and get you intouch.
Rachl, don’t let vomitus erectus get to you. Just blow this faggot off. Rupert is a mensch, Murphy is a wanker.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:20 pmESTTo echo Brian, sometimes posting movements and dates for units is a problem. I expect Rupert suggested what was ‘public knowledge’ already, but the old ‘loose lips sink ships’ posters come to mind. (No, I never saw one ‘for real’!)
April 28th, 2008 at 2:43 pmESTMy best to you and “Rupert” and everyone else in your situation. Thanks for all your service and everyone’s sacrifices.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:43 pmESTIan Murphy just needs to clearly understand that, when the Taliban come back, and they will just like 9/11, WE don’t have to defend the likes of HIM. And, we won’t.
We will throw him to the Taliban. It’ll give us time to “set up.”
April 28th, 2008 at 2:50 pmESTRachel,
April 28th, 2008 at 3:12 pmESTI would like to reiterate what one of the preceding posts says. PLEASE do not list things like names of FOBS where people are headed, when unit movements are going to occur, and ESPECIALLY not dates. I know you’re new to this and it takes a lot to get used to being very careful about what you say. In the future, have Rupert read the post before you post it. When you post articles like this, you’re not only endangering Rupert and his battle buddies. You’re also endangering my husband.
All the best to you and Rupert. Hang in there, hon.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:15 pmESTBelieve it or not, you actually get where you can sleep through that, unless you’re sleeping right under a speaker or something.
Dittos on the Comm and USO suggestions, and OpSec (Operational Security) suggestions. I’ll send you a private e-mail about that. In the interim, you may want to go back and scrub dates and timeframes from the post.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:20 pmEST5 minutes is either more time than you need, or it’s not nearly enough. One part would want to just remove him from the gene pool, which only takes a few seconds, while the other would want the pain to last a few days.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:26 pmESTYeah, Rachel, that armor is HEAVY. I tried on my sons when we were down in N. Carolina.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pmESTLeftard assholes like that murphy punk have always thought these things about the troops. But they tried to hide behind the old “hate the war - support the troops” bullshit. All this is is the facade being pulled off and their true colors (mostly yellow) showing. Weaklings like that hate the troops - because they know in their slimy little hearts that they would NEVER, under any circumstances, have the guts to stand up and fight for anything. They know - and hate - that the only reason that they are able to spout their putrid drivel is because better men and women than they are willing to stand against the forces which would deny them that freedom. They know that, without the efforts of the soldiers they hate, that they would be nothing more than slaves. And knowing that enrages them. There is nothing that scum like murphy can do about it except cry and rage against those who keep them free. (of course, murphy and his ilk could always grow a pair of balls and defend their own freedom - but I think we all know what the chances of that happening are.)
April 28th, 2008 at 3:29 pmESTThere will probably be more and more of that sort of drivel being put out on the net as we make more progress in Iraq; and as we destroy more of the left’s new heroes.
Of course, understanding why they are asshole doesn’t negate the desire to show them that waterboarding is not true torture - and introduce them to the mccoy.
I’m not gonna repeat what others already said, but can I have cut privileges in the POS-pounding line? I could use the workout.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:41 pmESTHello Rachel,
If he thinks his body armor is heavy now just wait until they put in the newer chest and back plates (another couple pounds), side plates (fifteen or so more pounds), and water wings. With ammo and other accoutrements my IBA weighed in at 64 pounds. Yes, 64 pounds. Of course if Rupert is a pouge/FOBbit (newer terms for REMF’s) he’ll hardly ever have to wear it. I, along with a lot of others, came home up to an inch shorter but have since stretched out back to normal.
One thing about deployments is that the Army makes things so miserable that they make you want to go on to the next step. For Kosovo, our conditions at Fort Stewart were atrocious - so much so they made CNN. Camp Bondsteel in Kosovo was nice. Camp Shelby, MS (which is where I would wager Rupert is at) is no paradise and neither is Kuwait. For the first month or so Camp Liberty in Baghdad will seem like Club Med. Liberty is probably the nicest FOB over there. Maybe Taji. It’s a toss up. Pray that he doesn’t go anywhere near Tallil AB. Complete Shithole.
Verizon wireless works in Kuwait (no special plan needed) and if I remember correctly it also works at Camp Liberty. If it doesn’t he can buy a local cellphone over there. They aren’t proscribed by any means. I’d say %50 of people had them.
Any other questions, just ask.
All the best,
Sgt K
April 28th, 2008 at 4:00 pmESTTo paraphrase the Dad in Juno:
“I want to punch this Murphy kid in the wiener.”
Doubt he has any junk, though.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:04 pmESTHere’s a nice little thing folks can do for people deployed. You can purchase phone cards for the troops through AAFES. Here’s the link:
https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx
Keep ‘em calling…
April 28th, 2008 at 4:44 pmESTRachel, my Dad went to Viet Nam when I was 14. My Mother had lots of support as Dad was regualr Air Force. You, however, not being regualr Army, need to take the advice and get plugged into whatever service outlets are around, AND be sure to pull a band of folks around you who can be of support. Your friends will be the best thing going. Besides the dogs, of course.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:45 pmESTGirl, you’ve got us to vent to everyday. And I’m one that’s always willing to listen. Since I’m a highly trained and intuitive receptor of luminous input (read as long suffering husband), I know when to be quiet and when to insert a knowing nod to the venting exposition given.
All of us can only try to be helpful for you. I can only imagine what it can be like for distaff side. When I was at sea (in subs), I had my work to keep my mind off of what was going back home. It was only years later that she finally opened up to me about some of the $#!+ she had to put up with.
That Murphy is already his own punishment to himself. But, If the opportunity comes, give me a shout and I’ll do more than just “taunt him a second time!” [/outrageous accent]
April 28th, 2008 at 4:49 pmESTAwww, thanks everyone. I really appreciate the moral support very, very much.
And I made the changes some of you suggested by taking the dates out. Thanks for the advice!
April 28th, 2008 at 4:52 pmESTOur country really is the absolute best.
A jackass can rip on our soldiers and those soldiers will continue to fight and sacrifice in a fledgling democracy to prevent another 9/11 like attack from those who hate our freedoms. Freedom of speech being one of our most sacred.
I’m proud of Rupert and all the men and women in our armed forces.
To celebrate my freedom of speech, I would like to say to Ian Murphy; you are the worst kind of asswipe; a poser who wants to talk like the big boys but really needs a hug when you’re in the fetal position at night hugging your Sharper Image contour pillow. Prick.
April 28th, 2008 at 5:48 pmESTIt’s good to hear an update on Rupert and I’m hopin’ you’re hangin in there:) I know personally how tough it can be when your guy is over there,friends too.
But you really do take comfort in knowing the kind of guys they are around,there’s going to be a whole hell of a lot of fantastic Soldiers and Marines(And a few other branches) who will have his back:)
You both are in my prayers.
~
April 28th, 2008 at 6:02 pmESTAs for that douchebag Ian..I won’t even comment except to say *starts poking homemade voodoo doll*
A person like Murphy hates the troops because he is so profoundly inferior to them — morally, physically, spiritually, in every way imaginable. And he knows it. And it drives him crazy. He can never, ever measure up to them, and so he hates everyone in the military because, just by existing, they make him look like retarded pond scum by comparison.
Ironically, Murphy is his own punishment. His mind is a seething cauldron of hatred and self-loathing, and he has to live in it for every day of his life.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:06 pmESTOh, I’ve been meaning to mention: If you have any old cellphones (working or non-working) around your house, donate them to CellphonesForSoldiers.com. They are sold to a phone recycler, and the money is used to buy prepaid phone cards for the troops.
You can donate phones by mail or at any AT&T Wireless store in the U.S. I sent them some dead phones a couple of weeks ago.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:12 pmESTMs Murphy is a spineless little sheep who knows that his miserable little life is meaningless and longs to be respected, honored and supported; everything he can never have and those who serve rightly deserve. He hides behind pseudo intellectual bullshit and acts as though his is superior because of his “intellect”. Actually he knows just what a worthless piece of shit he really is and must try and tear down those with true honor by making outrageous and FALSE statements about those he secretly envies with every fiber of his pitiful being.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:23 pmESTThank you once again Rachel and Rupert - for reminding us of the sacrifices made by our troops, their courage and commitment. I am humbled once again.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:34 pmESTSo, I did a little research on Ian Murphy.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:40 pmESTSeems that he’s quite the humourist.
He has a character he calls Dougie the Retard.
This is he in the wheelchair at the creationism museum where he spent a day pretending to be intellectually handicapped. Just for laughs.
Obviously, Ian is a class act.
Relax Rachel, this is not “too much information.”
Now, the fat dogs in used clothing, well…..
April 28th, 2008 at 7:06 pmESTSpeaking of which….. where are they?
April 28th, 2008 at 7:08 pmESTI’m generally not into trying to psychoanalyze people, but in this case it seems pretty clear to me that Pat Berry has it right. All that I’ll add to what Pat and others said is to comment on this little bit from that twerp:
A strange and rather telling fantasy, that. Perhaps he will wake up and get some help, but I suspect that his self-inflicted miserable existence and bizarre little fantasies will be all he ever has.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:18 pmESTTrace Adkins answers Ian Murphy. Enjoy.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fUpwvT5Vp24
April 28th, 2008 at 7:22 pmESTRupert and all the military are in our prayers. And I for one think that your getting to sleep in a comfy bed is just one small validation of the amazing work they do. Being free to blog is yet another!
April 28th, 2008 at 8:23 pmESTWhen I skimmed Ian’s little screed, I was amazed to notice that I was not even a little miffed. The hwole thing was so patently stupid that my only reaction was a snort, followed by “fucking retard.”
And seeing Gino’s comment above only validates that assessment.
And as for Rupert’s trials with the Army, I know exactly how exapserating the daily grind can be. But keep in mind that the US military is the only government entity that actually does its job, and does it well, despite the crushing weight of bureaucracy. Just makes what these people do all the more amazing.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pmESTIan Murphy–another candidate for a double tap.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:36 pmESTRachel, I am forever grateful for the service of Rupert and for your devotion to him and his care. You express for thousands (millions) our abiding respect, our love for his enormous heart. Would that we could, lavish him as a roman prince.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pmESTIf I may gently speak up on a sort of misunderstanding that I rarely let go unchallenged… Rupert and all the excellent Americans serving in theatre do not fight for our “right” to abuse them.
Most respectfully, I must say, no.
They fight for our right to learn how to practice our speech so that we may elevate it to its proper place in our lives. Too many of us treat speech like a piece of gum. Rupert does not fight, suffer and risk his life for us to be oafs and trolls.
No.
I refuse to fall for the conceit that free speech must allow its own messy, smelly suicide, clinging to the backs of our heroes.
That would be like throwing a penny to pay for the life of Paul Smith. I know everyone who reads here will either know who he is or will know where to learn about him.
There is no concept, idea, precept, belief or right that is the equivalent, moral or otherwise, of the worth of our Soldiers. Not when those concepts, ideas, precepts, beliefs and rights are coated in the spew from poorly issued, reckless humans, citizenship irrelevant.
I said no.
Everywhere I go on the net, every time I come across those who hurt to remind the abusers that they are unworthy beneficiaries of the supreme sacrifices of Americans far, far greater than they, sometimes, I have to gently stop them and say, you needn’t hurt more by putting it that way.
Time to call the freaks out of the shadows and make them defend themselves. In the daylight. In front of us. People like you, like us, we’re ready. We enjoy that kind of a fight.
With the greatest respect for you, for my fellow commenters and with deep gratitude for Rupert, I must disagree with just that particular statement.
With pert near everything else you speak, I gleefully agree.
Today, on ‘Rachel Lucas: POS Whisperer’, Rachel teaches America how to turn POS Ian Murphy into a calm, submissive and grateful piece of shit.
April 28th, 2008 at 9:52 pmESTWell said, alexa kim…very well said.
April 28th, 2008 at 10:00 pmESTWhat channel is this “POS Whisperer” show on?
April 29th, 2008 at 12:36 amESTSome retarded blogger is not worth getting upset over. Direct your anger at the the men that started and seem content to perpetually continue this war. Bush is using the military, and I mean that in the exploitative sense, with no regard for it, the people that make it great, or the families of the personnel that support it, all so he can hand over hundreds of billions of dollars to his political allies. Rupert should be at home, with you. They should all be home, with us.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:35 amESTRachel, I’m sure Rupert does not begrudge you your “comfy bed with comfy pillows in a quiet room” since he knows it’s just the pillows you’re snuggling with
April 29th, 2008 at 9:58 amESTIan Murphy, Mozambiqe protocal. ‘nough said.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:01 amEST+1 on James Bernsen’s blog, I read the whole thing Sunday. He’s a good writer.
Levi, go back to Obama’s site where you belong. I’m so very tired you guys with Bush Derangement Syndrome.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:05 amESTMont, does everyone that opposes this war suffer from this ‘BDS,’ or is it just me? What’s the cause? What’s the cure?
April 29th, 2008 at 1:34 pmESTRachel,
Late but heartfelt support for both you and Rupert — we owe you and all our military families an immeasurable debt!
Toothache was sad enough, but as you say, this “just sucks” — just wish there were words that could help.
As for all the parasites out there who like to spit on the men and women whose bravery secures their freedom? They’re fools who are just damned lucky to be in America (but I have a blunt instrument or two of my own with which I’d be delighted to help enlighten them!).
April 30th, 2008 at 6:14 amEST1) Prayers and props to both Rupert and you. As my ex found in the 80s and is still true today, the toughest job in the military is military spouse. If military girlfriend isn’t quite as tough, it’s only because not all girlfriends are yet 100% on whether the boyfriend is a keeper.
Don’t feel bad that it hurts. Don’t feel like you’re being selfish, you aren’t. The real truth is that standing on the Widow’s Walk, waiting to *find out* if your loved ones will return, is harder than going yourself.
2) As for ‘Levi’ and his ilk…. just another confirmation of my definition of “liberal”: Someone who is passionate in their opinions, but cannot do simple arithmetic. For the sake of the slow learners, let’s go over this yet again:
ALL the top brass had EXACTLY THE SAME intel before the war. That includes all the decision makers in the White House, Congress, and the CIA. Congress approved it based on that same intel. And yet Bush was the only one who “lied.” Hmmm… This is the same Bush who is routinely called a moron, yet is apparently so slick and so clever that he is able to fool not only all of Congress, but the CIA, the US military, etc. etc. Is there a switch in the man’s head that randomly gets switched from “moron” to “evil world dominator who is too clever to catch at it”?
3) Another example of “can’t do arithmetic.” This war is just a little over 5 years old, right? Maximum enlistment is what, 6 years? Okay I’ll buy that perhaps *a few* people were so short sighted that they joined up 6 years ago too stupid to see a war in the Middle East coming. I have no respect for them anyway, because I don’t feel compelled to be patient with whiners who want all the bennies of military service but suddenly become “conscientious objectors” when the prospect of ACTUALLY HAVING TO DO THE JOB comes up.
But with those few possible exceptions, EVERYONE currently in Iraq or Afghanistan either volunteered (no draft, remember?) to serve, knowing they were likely to be sent to a war zone, or (the majority) voluntarily reenlisted, *having already been there and knowing they would be sent back.* Military service tends to become a custom that gets passed on. In short, if you have served, chances are you knew several people, among them family members, who had served before you. Thus, you are more likely than anyone else to have gotten the straight story from SOMEONE WHO WAS ACTUALLY THERE, with no spin added for the sake of a political agenda. If someone’s older brother is telling him what Iraq is like, chances are he doesn’t give a damn what the pundits or the Senators think, he just wants his little brother to make a smart decision that will allow him to be proud of himself and yet live to be old.
And yet…. with *at least* 83% (5/6ths) of the military being people who have volunteered *since the war began*, with the stories told be returning vets, the casualties, the (fully justified) hurt of people in positions like Rachel’s… with all that, and a force of men and women who are ALL volunteers, and thus *cannot be compelled*…. with all that, ALL the services are exceeding their recruiting goals.
Yes I know, “Bush is duping them.” Bush, Cheney, Rove, et al are all so moronic as to defy description, yet have Jedi (excuse me, Sith) powers to cloud the minds of those new recruits so they don’t hear the horror stories their relatives and peers bring back from Iraq. Bush himself, the clumsiest speaker to occupy the Oval Office in a century, has persuasive powers Barack Obama would be envious of.
I hate to break this to you liberals, but in the real world physics works, gravity is not always your friend, and stupid results are more likely the result of humans having normal human stupidities and limitations than some vast conspiracy. No matter how much you’d like to, you DO NOT live in an X-Men comic, and it behooves you to learn to do the math before opening your piehole and using it as a shoe closet.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:59 amESTI guess I must be kind of a jerk, because that “Let There be Retards” article actually made me laugh pretty hard.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:41 pmESTPunks like him always know they’re only punks. Making comments like the ones he made is all he has. You know he is a miserable excuse for a man. A total c*nt. That’s why he writes things like that. He would soil his panties the first time someone confronted him face to face and challenged him to substantiate his comments. He must be the first male in all of human history to suffer from penis envy.
July 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pmEST