posted 12-30-2003 05:47 PM            

Some people on this site really piss me off. I’m a Solider. I’m a solider currently in Baghdad. I’ve been here since mid April. I read some of the things posted here and become completely irate. Some of you have feelings and issues with real meaning, with sincere intentions and post them to read. Yet as soon as they are posted some @$$hole comes along to degrade what was just said. You really piss me off.
As far as soldiers go in Iraq:
I myself knew before coming to Baghdad that something was fundamentally wrong with the current state of events and actions of our GOVERNment and being a hungry head I did the best I could to learn more about the situation at hand.
Most soldiers have no idea the REAL reason why we are here. I don’t really know but I do know it’s not about WMD. We came here with the understanding that we would be protecting America from people who would do us (Americans) harm. Yet as the story unfolded those of us who are not totally mind*#%$ed began to see more of what was really happening.
I know that is was about 3,000 people who died in the WTC attacks. I also know that during the first phase of the invasion of Iraq that 6,000 innocent Iraqis were slaughtered. I know that just about every day I hear HUGE explosions all around me (car bombs, grenades, R.P.G.s, homemade explosives). I know that someone is on the receiving end of those explosion and they are not Iraqis. I know that just about everyday an American soldier loses his or her life here. I know that I have survived an R.P.G. attack and recieved a Purple Hart. I know that if I would have died that day it would have been for naught... we were "protecting" a burned out, looted building. I know I’ve been lied to about the real intentions of this operation. I know that many soldiers feel the same way I do. I know that Saddam was no REAL threat to any of you (Americans).
When we first got here we were ready to take on these Saddam Loyalist, these “Terrorist”. The media pumped us full of “Islam sees America as the Great Satan”. Come to find out as soon as we hit the outskirts of Baghdad we saw a totally different picture. These men, women and children were celebrating our arrival. “Good mista, mista! Good mista, mista!” It was the first time in my life I actually felt kinda like a hero. It was nothing like the preconceived notion that I got from the news.
After establishing a base (smack dab in the middle of Baghdad) we began our daily patrols. As we soon learned most of the people were happy for us to be here (80%). About 10% were not sure what they thought and the other 10% were after our blood. We were actively seeking those WMD. Of course we never found any.
Many of us know that Bush does not rightly belong in the White House. Even so, we have sworn to take orders from the Commander and Chief. We felt a patriotic duty at first but began to wonder what Iraq really had to do with being patriotic or defending our way of life or protecting the constitution. So as time wore on some of us began to see more of the picture.
I began to despise this damn uniform I’m wearing now but then realized that it was probably the uniform that despised me. Thousands of men and women have died for the rights you say you hold dear. They fought for freedom, they died for freedom. So I ask myself, how do I protect my freedoms in Baghdad?
We are now foreign invaders. This is a hostile take over. There were no WMD. No wonder many call us the Great Satan, we lie, cheat and steal our way into any country for any reason. Saddam has been caught and we are still here and will be for a long time. We have to clean up our mess. We must secure the oil. It is now a double edged sword. Hostile invasion / Humanitarian Aide. But the second part was a long time in coming and that was not the intention of the actual operation. The “war” was declared over yet the attacks have increased… we have "given" Iraqis our idea of what freedom is. Seems many of them don't want it. Sure we have taken out bad people but this fight has only begun.
We are torn. America is in the shit hole. Every person in the Army has sworn to protect the Constitution of the United States, that’s over one million people; yet it seems no one is aware of her current state.
Have you ever noticed what the root word of patriot is? Riot. That’s what I want to do. I want to yell and scream and break stuff. I want to start fires and steal and cause chaos in the system. I want revolution. But I just sit here quietly and steam my anger through the keyboard. Like a good conformist, I am passive. If THEY knew I was writing this I would get in trouble. Did you know that? So much for 1st amendment.
Get this: I started talking about the Patriot Act and Patriot Act II around here. Out of the 80+ soldiers in my Battery, NOT ONE person knew what it was. There are over 600 people in this Unit and I bet I would be lucky to find a hand full who has even heard of it. So since I truly feel like a patRIOT, I wrote and printed out flyers explaining what it is and what it means. I put up about 10 around the base. By the next day ONLY ONE was left. Somebody doesn’t like activist around here but the sad thing is they have a duty to know and a responsibility to take action.
I have decided to become the silent rebel.
I can’t speak about it without adverse action on my military career, so I will write. I can get away with that, at least for now. Flyers are my WMD against ignorance. My pen will be mightier than the sword. But there are still problems. The root word of ignorance? Ignore. Not only that: most of these guys won’t read anything unless there are naked women on the page. And even if they read it they just shrug and walk away without a second thought. And to think that this is happening at a NATIONAL LEVEL? My God.
We just had another memorial service for a fallen soldier yesterday and one of the things that was most repeated was that “He gave the ultimate sacrifice, his life, for the principles which Americans hold so dear, Freedom.” Yeah, while I’m busy freeing Iraq, my own country is becoming a police state. How tragically ironic. The Army has sworn to protect the United? States and it's constitution but most can't even tell you the first 5 amendments. I swore to "protect the constitution from eneimes foreign and domestic" The real terrorist are domestic not foreign. So what am I doing half way around the world? Really?
I’m really mad. But my hands are tied. I would be more vocal but I do not want to be “branded”, I do not want to ruin any benefits I MAY get from the military, I do not want to make things any harder for my wife or my family. But if I, if YOU don’t do something things will get worse. I must follow orders: that was my promise to you. But you; You don’t have to follow orders, You can be vocal.
So stop patronizing these guys and gals who put out their opinions and thoughts. For they are the ingredients of change. I’m fighting everyday to stay alive in a war that YOUR President has deemed necessary. So do me a favor and fight a war against ignorance in the homeland and stop putting people down when we should be brining each other up. This “war” is total BS so start learning and spreading the news because the media will not. Maybe we can prevent more innocent lives on both sides from being lost.
This site was a real inspiration to me. It made me feel that people are working together to find truth and solutions. But sometimes I read what is here and realize that the same attitude is brought here that is brought to golbalization - ingnorance, greed, disinformation, arrogance and counter-productive attitudes. Look past other peoples preceptions and look for the root of the message. Something is terriblly wrong with our society, our government, our WORLD.

Sincerely,

Spc. “Bhang”

"If ignorance is bliss, then knock the smile of my face."
-Zack De La Rocha

posted 12-30-2003 06:08 PM            

Thank you for your service to the Constitution of the United States.

Honored to be on the same board. Thanks for your words!

posted 12-30-2003 08:59 PM            

I did a brief stint in the Army and didn't have much breadth of knowledge of what the oath actually meant at the time. It means more to me now as a civilian than ever.

posted 12-30-2003 09:50 PM            

Your letter and post was most welcome! This soldier, if it is you or not you, is a great patriot! We are working to find out the truth and fight off the fascist state! We truly are.

I almost cancelled Christmas for my family because of the war and soldiers losing their lives and limbs! I was forced to follow the holiday traditions due to our not preparing the situation with our children (in their twenties), but we have vowed to discuss next Christmas in light of Iraq and any other situation of occupation that may transpire or has not changed. If Americans awake, the neocons are out in Nov. or sooner! Please join our other threads on neocons and other conspiracies!

Ever grateful for this soldier and many like him! I hope we Americans will fight as hard for our freedoms as he has thought about the meaning of freedom and has remained true to his duty!

I was against the occupation before it started, marched in the streets, wrote letters to representatives, wrote articles in papers, joined activist sites, and it still happened. I've wanted the troops to come home all along and find the situation totally intractible. Many foresaw these events before Bush started talking the way he did in Sept. of 2002. Saddam has been captured, the money he stole is being recovered and let the Iraqi people have their civil war with a U.N. force. We should apologize to the world, elect a new president and get back to defending our safety and freedom at home! If the people re-elect Bush -- we're all in deep chimchee!

bc

posted 12-30-2003 10:03 PM            

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bhang:
So do me a favor and fight a war against ignorance in the homeland and stop putting people down when we should be brining each other up. This “war” is total BS so start learning and spreading the news because the media will not. Maybe we can prevent more innocent lives on both sides from being lost.

---

Amen! Thank you for the excellent input.

I agree! Rather than arguing, debating, and distracting, we should be sharing information in the hopes of bringing up our levels of awareness. I say read at alternative news sites and decide for yourself what resonates as truth. Ignorance is NOT bliss!

posted 12-31-2003 05:38 PM            

Bommerchick: "This soldier, if it is you or not you, is a great patriot!"

Thank you. This really was me. And I must say I'm glad I can vent someplace where intelligent people can give a guy some feedback.
It's hard doing what I do, knowing what I know and questioning what I question. Someplace between truth, lies, religion, family, freedom, past, future, Revelations, conspiracy and current events, I find myself in a very scary place and it is comforting to know that I'm not alone as I thought. Despite my lack of a true education, I'm trying.
Due to all of your help plus others, I send my unconditional love and praise. Some people might see me as a hero but I see YOU - The Seekers - as Heros. So now I must thank you.

Every chance I get, I compile information. I desire to write a book. Not just some book but THE BOOK. The book that will blow the top off of this boiling cauldren! A non-fiction bestseller. Someone has to stir this potion up. I have a calling. I do believe that I'm driven by a spirit to this end.
There is so much I want to say. Can't say it here. THEY can trace me. I know some stuff. Call me crazy but remember that being crazy in a crazy world is perfectly sane.
Despite my wild ramblings, I think you have a feel for me. I care and you care - SO - let's do something. Posting here is fine and dandy but it's small. Gotta reach the masses. There are sheep that need tending. Third eyes to open. Must awaken the sleepwalkers. Someone... anyone...?

You dig?

If you got anything for me give me a mailing address. I really don't trust THE NET (like a spiders web?)

-It's hitting the fan.

Bhang.

posted 12-31-2003 06:00 PM            

http://themech.proboards22.com/index.cgi?board=dark&action=display&num=1069147460

posted 01-01-2004 05:14 PM            

Declaration of War.

On Sep.15 03 I was underneath my Chief when he was hit with an R.P.G. and blown nearly in half. I caught him in my arms. As he lay dying I wondered to myself, covered in his blood and guts, what exactly was it he was dying for? Months later I still cannot clearly answer that question.
I was shaken to the core to say the least. My beliefs were challenged and my faith disrupted (it was his 31st Birthday).
Point is: I realized one thing. I really do not know what I'm fighting for. If I was fighting for something eaisily definable, something I beleved in, then I would follow orders without question. Yet the reality is I do not believe. In all of my 25 years I have never been so overworked, so underpayed, so degraded, so demoralized and so subserveant. And now for the past 9 months I have risked life and limb EVERYDAY for something I do not understand. I don't understand because of disinformation, blatant lies and contradictory terms. Hypocriacy is rampant and I feel stoopid for participating in something that I cannot comprehend.
The more I read, the more I learn, the more I see that the truth these days is hard to come by. If I died tomorrow I could not tell you what for.
I'm scared. Not of dying. I'm scared for the future. I'm scared for America. I truly believe in the principals the Founding Fathers layed out for us. The Constitution.
The Constitution is being raped. It makes me spiritually sick.
You call yourself a Patriot. You buy everything the newscaster says, you buy a flag and put it out front for eveyone to see.

First of all: That is NOT patRIOTism.
And second: That flag you bought should be flying UPSIDEDOWN !!!

You SCREAM freedom but standby in silence while that same freedom is restricted yearly.

If you do not do something - anything - you do not deserve these freedoms. You might as well defect to China.

There is an UNDECLARED WAR rage'n right under your nose.
A silent enemy creeps...
and he is in your front yard.

posted 01-01-2004 05:23 PM            

Unfortunately you got caught in the REAL one being waged so the ones behind closed doors can contiue with their plans.

I was in your shoes...but not on the level that you are.I asked myself the same question.The Constitution IS wworth fighting for but I don't think that is what I was...or you are fighting for my friend. My advice is to stick it out and try and learn as much as you can from the experience.

posted 01-01-2004 05:48 PM            

I think you know...what "the matrix" is.

posted 01-02-2004 07:53 PM            

Remember that online relationships and posters can often pose as other people. I'm always reminded of that. In the light of government spying and paid ops hired to scan the internet and participate on boards, I have to admit to a skepticism in someone who claims to be in Iraq. I'm so sorry if this offends, but I must be honest. In the climate that we Americans live in now, with the Patriot Act and Homeland Security, to trust blindly in ANYONE on the net is letting down one's guard. I am staying true to truth no matter what!

To Bham I ask: why is your internet name including Germany as your home country? I'm confused as to how you could be in Iraq when the power is not available in much of the country. Perhaps I'm ignorant. Are you injured and in a hospital?

Anyone can pose as anyone on the internet. We've gone through this before with a poster who claimed to be a scientist and knew secrets about HAARP -- he ran us up and down the lane with no satisfaction as to his claims.

So please don't be offended and know that people like us, who demand proof of everything are the backbone of the peace and freedom movement in America.

I would believe mech, since I know him, if and when he communicates with Bham directly, over the phone and through e-mails whether Bham is legit or not.

Sorry if I come across as paranoid, but I think we have good reason to suspect ANYONE on the net and yes, I do support totally and wholeheartedly the person who is real in his sharing about his military experiences and indeed he is a patriot. Power to all book efforts to get the story of truth out.

But I'm still skeptical at this point.

"stoopid" ?

Bear with me.

posted 01-02-2004 09:27 PM            

IP traces reveal a lot Boomer Chick.

Bhang's real.

posted 01-03-2004 03:51 PM            

Thanks!

posted 01-03-2004 05:21 PM            

Your IP is being broadcasted Via satellite and very difficult to trace...but where it is recieving the signal is on an entirely different Mil base. Not to worry. Without freedome of speech (1st Amendment) what good is a Constitutional oath? I'd say the only exeption being matters of National Security (loose lips sink ships).

Bhang not to worry...Boomer's suspicions are justified...Ive been here a year and ive seen people here use multiple id's over and over again (I won't name names because i'm a nice guy). Sometimes it makes you wonder if they are working for Ashcroft/Ridge's boys.

COINTELPRO is certainly going on now...unfortunately while America was cheering Saddams capture, Bush SECRETLY signed in Orwellian legislation that was originally part of something called "Patriot Act II"..which Congress didn't sign becausse of the controversy over it. Now they have simply re-pakaged it in pieces and ARE signing it into law through other legislative items. Nice huh? Basically it gives the FBI and other agencies eveen more power to spy on American citizens through various means. Mostly through their finances and records...but i'm sure COINTELPRO is back in full force now.

Part of the new "Homeland" freedom.