Posted on 08/26/2003 6:28:52 AM PDT by m1-lightning
A U.S. soldier in Iraq wonders: 'How many more must die?'
August 24, 2003
By TIM PREDMORE
"Shock and Awe" were the words used to describe the awesome display of power the world was to view upon the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was to be an up-close, dramatic display of military strength and advanced technology within the arsenal of the United States and the United Kingdom's military.
But as a soldier preparing for the invasion of Iraq, the words "shock and awe" rang deeper within my psyche. These two great superpowers were about to break the very rules they demand of others. Without the consent of the United Nations, and ignoring the pleas of their own citizens, the United States and Britain invaded Iraq.
"Shock and Awe"? Yes, the words correctly described the emotional impact I felt as we prepared to participate in what I believed not to be an act of justice but of hypocrisy. L
From the moment the first shot was fired in this so-called war of liberation and freedom, hypocrisy reigned. Following the broadcasting of recorded images of captured and dead U.S. soldiers over Arab television, American and British leaders vowed revenge while verbally assaulting the networks for displaying such vivid images. Yet within hours of the deaths of Saddam's two sons, the American government released horrific photos of the two dead brothers for the entire world to view. Again, a "do as we say and not as we do" scenario.
As soldiers serving in Iraq, we have been told that our purpose here is to help the people of Iraq by providing them the necessary assistance militarily as well as in humanitarian efforts. Then tell me where the humanity was in the recent Stars and Stripes account of two young children brought to a U.S. military camp by their mother, in search of medical care? The two children had been, unbeknown to them, playing with explosive ordinance they had found and as a result were severely burned. The account tells how the two children, following an hour-long wait, were denied care by two U.S. military doctors. The soldier described the incident as one of many "atrocities" he has witnessed on the part of the U.S. military.
So then, what is our purpose here? Was this invasion due to weapons of mass destruction as we so often heard? If so, where are they? Did we invade to dispose of a leader and his regime on the account of close association with Osama bin Laden? If so, where is the proof? Or is it that our incursion is a result of our own economic advantage? Iraq's oil can be refined at the lowest cost of any in the world. Coincidence?
This looks like a modern-day crusade not to free an oppressed people or to rid the world of a demonic dictator relentless in his pursuit of conquest and domination but a crusade to control another nation's natural resource. At least for us here, oil seems to be the reason for our presence.
There is only one truth, and it is that Americans are dying. There are an estimated 10- to 14-attacks on our servicemen and women daily in Iraq. As the body count continues to grow, it would appear that there is no immediate end in sight.
I once believed that I served for a cause: "to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Now, I no longer believe; I have lost my conviction, my determination. I can no longer justify my service for what I believe to be half-truths and bold lies. My time is done as well as that of many others with whom I serve. We have all faced death here without reason or justification.
How many more must die? How many more tears must be shed before America awakens and demands the return of the men and women whose job it is to protect them rather than their leader's interest?
Tim Predmore is on active duty with the 101st Airborne Division near Mosul, Iraq. A 1985 Richwoods High School graduate and native Peorian, he has been in Iraq since March and in the military for about five years.
I just did that, and I encourage others to do the same. This has peacenik fraud written all over it.
Too much time on his hands.
Or the Peoria Journal Star wrote this in his name... they are a liberal rag by the way.
I did take the opportunity, however, to write a letter to the editor:
Response to Tim Predmore
Editor, I finished reading, with some effort, Mr. Predmore's article on the presumed hypocrisy in the war in Iraq. (I use the term "Mr. Predmore" only because this active duty soldier's rank was never identified.) The article ended with the phrase "[Predmore] has been in Iraq since March and in the military for about five years."
Five years - back to 1998. So this means Mr. Predmore was in the military for America's military intervention - without U.N. approval - in Bosnia. You know, the conflict which had been simmering for years but suddenly became absolutely critical right after a beleaguered President's 45 Democrat Senatorial colleagues refused to find him guilty. Please print a copy of Mr. Predmore's article on hypocrisy relating to that conflict as well. Because I know someone so insulted by hypocrisy would never allow himself to be a hypocrite. Right?
To join the Army, you must be between the ages of 17 and 34 (both Active Duty and Reserve).
Dear Timmy
We sure do hope the folks in Peoria are as proud of you as I am. It takes a special kind of human being to stand up and tell of the evil that surrounds us. The enemies of peace must be exposed. Those that kill shall be killed. Thank you for your bravery and honesty. Your fellow comrades in arms must be very proud of you. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely Saddom Hussien
Or the figment of a lone nut's imagination, who happens to write for the Peoria Journal Star. This reads like the liberal version of the well-known 'E-Mail From a U.S. Soldier in Iraq', which may be far more accurate, but are probably also fictitious.
The point of the media's negative blitz, I suppose, is to obscure reality with a dust screen of BS, so that those who are against our effort can feel vindicated, and those who support it are at a loss for verification. (Unless they read FreeRepublic, of course.)
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