Father and Son, serving together in combat in Iraq! :-(

[arcane1]

talked to my dad last night, he's in the Virginia Nat'l Guard. While a Repube, he nonetheless had a LOT to say about the stress and strain this war is having on the guard and reserves. They are currently severely under-staffed, over-worked, and now full of dread for next year when the Guard and Reserves will be handling 60% of the duties in Iraq. Not to mention the extended deployments, etc. Seems like morale is getting quite low out there, though I am not sure how that is affecting Bushian support amongst them (we avoid discussing politics as much as possible). His mood, however, seemed very uncertain, hesitant, as if he is getting bad vibes and feelings about the way this thing is escalating...

While he was conforting me by letting me know there is yet no plan to send him to Iraq, he did relate a sad story to me- there was a group from his area (sorry, I don't know all the military terms for troops, units, battalions, etc...) that has been shipped off to Iraq, but they were short of some key specialists, and had to get them from other dept's. Well, turns out the ONLY available specialist for this (whatever) mission, is the father of one of the boys in that same unit! So now they have a man and his son serving in a war zone, together, as part of the same group. My dad wondered how the mother/wife responded to this!

He also said many of his coworkers are talking about how you pretty much have to either homosexually attack another man, or beat your wife, in order to NOT be called up now, and that they would not be surprised if there will be an increase in both those kinds of incidents in the months to come, as people start getting desperate (and dreading the 3-year deployments into a combat zone!)

I was sorely tempted to ask about his Bush feelings, but I left it alone for now...

[arcane1]

1. shameless self-kick

:kick:

[Tinoire]

2. Wow

That's sad... I'm relieved for you that he hasn't been called up.

Wonder what the Reserves and Guard think about today's PR stunt. This thing is not getting pretty at all. Morale in understandably dead and no amount of Presidential visits will undo that. I feel the sorriest for the Guards and Reservists who aren't as indoctrinated as the Active Duty soldiers.

Keeping my fingers crossed for your dad...

Happy Thanksgiving! I decided to boycott it when I saw Bush in Iraq... After seeing that, there was NO way I could enjoy turkey and cranberries with Republicans at the table!

Peace :hi:

[arcane1]

3. fortunately I was kind of boycotting it anyway

still not sure what exactly I'll be doing

I certainly have plenty to be thankful for, though... and plenty to be angry about, too!

:hi:

[Tinoire]

5. What a mixed day

I'm thankful for all I have too and should probably spend the day thinking about what all those things are (4 of them are furry :) ) and really appreciating them.

I hate this holiday to tell you the truth... The hypocrisy of thanking God for stealing an entire country is a tad... hypocritical.

My anger has turned to grief. The visit to that 'other' board was probably not a good move today.

Wow... And Fox is broadcasting individual soldier messages where they say "Hi Mom, Happy Thanksgiving and etc, etc...". Just turned around to see the kid talking now- couldn't have been more than 19 or 20- YOUNG. It's heart-breaking...

Ok now :puke: Now Fox is showing an Iraqi who is going to tell us what the Iraqi people are really thinking. Urgh! Why do we do this to ourselves and watch? Well, me at least ;)

Maybe I should take Phoenix out for a long walk and let him at least enjoy this day :)

[arcane1]

7. yikes! Step away from the tv...

walking the doggie is so much healthier!

[Tinoire]

10. It's just too simply irresistible

Years worth of training you know... Keeping an eye on the other side so they don't blind-swipe (is that a word?) you.

Plus you know, if you're ever down, trot on over to FR- guaranteed to make you thankful God gave you a brain :)

[JohnKleeb]

8. I see that on the football games

sigh :( these guys generally are only a little older than me generally. This be my generation that is fighting the war, sigh if they have a draft I hope my classmates and people I know arent called, I cant be with my heart condition. Your dog's name is Phoenix? thats interesting Cass, my uncle and aunt have a cat with the same name, you lived in Arizona or you really like it I assume? :hi: Sigh I really wish we could avoid wars. I was telling my grandma today about my feelings and how I am gonna write them in an essay about war, and she was interested and my mom apparently found an essay of mine about the cold war and she showed it to my grandma and theres a part in there about my grandpa and how happy he was that McArthur got Axed and how he is important to me, and she said she showed that and he cried. Sorry for the rant Cass, :hi: again. How was your day?

[Tinoire]

11. Lol- Hey John!

Well, you'll notice that contrary to what I told you on Messenger, I didn't make it to Thanksgiving. Just couldn't bear the thought of being aeound Repbulicans today. You sound a little heavy today, I'm sorry :( Great rant though...

You know John, it's people like you who give me hope that we just may make our way to a better world. Your family sounds so awesome! Especially because of a cat named Phoenix! :)

Turning my IM on ok ;)

[Terwilliger]

4. You probably should ask him about Bush while he's on a negative roll

That way you can get a sense of what a real military conservative thinks at this point in time. I wouldn't be surprised if Bush starts to really lose his military support, but that makes me afraid of another 9/11

[arcane1]

6. in time...

one thing I gleaned from him was that the stress and bullshit has only just begun for the guard and reserves. By this time in February it will probably be full-scale mutiny

a man can dream, can't he?

[JohnKleeb]

9. dream to dream defy reality

:) ok I stole that too.

[Tinoire]

12. The Guards and Reserves have it particularly bad

2nd tier equipment if they're lucky but they get absolutely no respect from the Active duty leadership.

Do you really think it will be a full-scale mutiny in February? I certainly hope so but after spending a few minutes on that 'other' site earlier and watching the reception those soldiers gave*, I am not so sure... I mean I just don't know. If it's a dream, I'll join it

[cally]

13. I'm glad you're Dad is not being sent

All of you, just turn off the TV. I've refused to watch today once I read the DU headline that Chimpy went to Iraq. Aaargh.

I'm hearing similar things from my brother-in-law who is in the reserves. Morale is very low. I also haven't had the nerve, yet, to ask about Bush. Maybe I'll convince my husband, too. My family don't get as mad at him as they do I. :evilgrin:

Happy Thanksgiving.

[Tinoire]

14. Love you Cally!

All of you, just turn off the TV.

I switched from Fox and am now pathetically trying to watch Ladyhawke and Mississippi Burning at the same time.

In about 5 minutes, I'm going to shut down DU and pick one of those 2 movies once and for all!

Do you know if anyone is keeping a list of DU-related people in Iraq. I'm thinking we should get one started... Just a reference thread or something. It seems that in every other thread lately you read that someone has nephews, a sister, a brother over there... For the DU care packets... What do you think?

Happy Thanksgiving!

:hi:

[cally]

16. Love you, too.

I hope the day got better for you. :loveya:

[proud patriot]

15. Thanks for sharing this arcane1

:-(

[creativelcro]

17. thanks