[dinok]

"All the American toilet paper was clogging the Baghdad sewer system"

Now I've heard it all. Evil America and its toilet paper. Oh the humanity...

[Kewlhand`tek]

I dont know how he got promised a 3 months assignment, plus common sense wouldve told him he would be there longer that. Every soldier knows this. I expected to be there more than a year but fortunately I was able to leave at a year. I really didnt want to go with a job unfinished...having to return to the same old schiite. I dont know where the iraqis got their fuel but I read several INTSUMs where we had troops at the gas stations because the iraqis were price gouging. we would take over a station and give it away for free. Yes it is a shame about fuel shortages and electricity. Sadam had electricity on faster because he would kill his problem makers. we just holler at them.

[LFOD]

No - it's true!!!!
The Baghdad sewer system(s) were made for a society that does not imitate western sanitation standards.

Typical Iraqi plumbing was unvented, as we know it here at home. Most of the buildings stank to high heavens in proximity to the bathrooms in some of the buildings.
When the wind blew a particular way on a 125 degree day - you get the idea.

When we arrived (Americans), our prodigious use of toilet paper quickly overtaxed outdated pumps and piping. Our contracts specified "western style" plumbing in all new projects & rebuilds.
As for the sewage, SST's (Sh*t trucks) were always lined up to dispose of their contents down the storm drains, just up slope from (you guessed it)- the Tigris River.
Needless to say, we all kept our Hepatitis shots up to date.

The standing joke was that two types of vehicles never came under fire - taxis and SST's.

[Mr Rogers]

Agreed - as though Americans were the main users of the sewer in a city of 5 million?

My son is in Iraq now with the CA Guard. Yes, he knew it was for a year. No, he hasn't taken up using drugs. Yes, he thinks things are getting better, but wonders if the Iraqis have what it takes to run a peaceful democracy...and no, he isn't likely to be invited to talk on Hardball, or write a book the NY Times will gush about.

This guy learned his lesson in his writing class - write what the teacher wants if you want a good grade. And the teacher (the MSP) wants what he is delivering...BS!