Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

FIRST PERSON/OPINION

From an Army Captain we know in Iraq, who will remain anonymous:


Hello–

Half of September is already almost gone. Badda boom. Life is good!

Just talked to my COL, and it looks like I will be getting back at the end of November. Not too too too much longer.

This week was one of those social consciousness kind of weeks. If anyone tells you that the good ole U.S. of A. ain’t doing no good over here you can tell ’em bull puckey. Here are a couple of examples:

Had a woman today come in, her husband died, she has two young boys, and she is being evicted cause she can’t find a job. My Iraqi staff took up a collection and paid her month’s rent. I guess it is a tenent of their religion that they can’t refuse the poor. So this woman who is a complete stranger got her rent paid for. Be reminded that although the charity was not ours, the money for their charity came from the US. Now that might not seem like a big deal, but here you go–women are not allowed to walk into business buildings or public areas without the expressed consent of their husband or eldest man guardian–usually a brother. Well, she doesn’t have any family left, and instead of starving and being thrown out on the streets she came in against her religion for her family. We pulled strings all afternoon trying to find a job for her. Finally, I called an Iraqi LTC I have developed a relationship with and he gave her a job inspecting females for weapons at a hospital. Her two boys were in trail of course, and curiosity got the best of ’em around the soldiers–they were constantly peeping around the corner at us and running away when we waved at ’em. We always carry candy around for the kids, and when they saw the Jolly Ranchers you could’ve sworn it was Christmas. They came right up and were happy as can be. That was good for today.

Yesterday a deaf guy who had been looking for a job for the last two months ’cause he is married and has two children stopped by. I finally was able to link him up with general labor workers on the airfield, which US troops have occupied and are rebuilding. He was soooo happy he started crying. Then he tried to kiss me, but he had to settle for a hearty handshake.

At the beginning of the week a family came to my gates to get help cause a bunch of rich punks were trying to claim the compound they are squatting in as the headquarters of their party. They are squatting there ’cause the men all have no jobs and they all lost their houses. Now parties cannot occupy government buildings, so we told ’em to beat it. Another CPT and myself went and walked through the compound which I am all too familiar with ’cause that is where the shock troops were forming up before (long story but you might remember it if you are following the saga). In this compound are 17 families each with over five kids, one with 13 kids. What a mess–no power, no sewerage system, no water. We handed some water out to the kids who mobbed us. We are currently trying to get employment for the men now.

Every day at my gate I turn people down ’cause I just don’t have all the jobs I need to give them. We already have a waiting list over a month long! American units count for about 99.99% of the employment sources.

To date I have only done one Iraqi contracting job for five people out of the almost 4000 people I have hired. I am telling you without a doubt that if America leaves now, and other UN forces come in this place will be back in the hands of another despot and quick like.

I went to an NGO (non governmental organization) meeting this week to try to round up jobs. All these peace-lovers have it all figured out! They are quick to ask you why so and so was arrested, he was an upstanding member of the community. Never mind the fact that he funded the latest RPG attack on our compound, or any other myriad of reasons we lock people up. Hell the UN is toying with getting out of Mosul cause the World Food Program had some RPGs shot at it. This is the second largest city in the county and by far the most peaceful thanks to us (I am biased I must admit), and they are thinking about leaving! NGOs have their own agendas that are self-serving and each “solution” will cause the incestual problems that will bring this country back down to the depths of the ocean soon!

Every time I turn the TV on, which ain’t often I admit, someone is talking about how we are failing ’cause the power and electricity are not straightened out yet. Wooooa! Easy Nelly, it’s going to take time. Saddam spent 30% of his GDP on military–not infrastructure. The telephone system is so dorked up it ain’t funny. Each house has a single strand that runs all the way to the nearest tele-station which ain’t close. Each pole looks like a bird’s nest. The sewerage system is near non-existent.

Their is NO garbage collection system. Everyone dumps their garbage into the nearest lot, or street side. If you were to ask any person here how the power is now they will tell you it is 1000 times better. At least it is on 1/3 of the time. We are standing up water purification plants–nonexistent accept by name alone before.

Enough ranting–just wish everyone could see what I do.