Iraq War Takes Toll On Morale - Some U.S. Soldiers Question Mission

[Breeze54]

http://www.courant.com/news/nationworld/hc-iraqtroops0727.artjul27,0,3216189.story?coll=hc-headlines-nationworld

Iraq War Takes Toll On Morale

Some U.S. Soldiers Question Mission

July 27, 2006
By JOSHUA PARTLOW, Washington Post

BAGHDAD, Iraq --

Army Staff Sgt. Jose Sixtos considered the simple question about morale for more than an hour.
But not until his convoy of armored Humvees had finally rumbled back into the Baghdad military
base did he turn around in his seat and give his answer.

"Think of what you hate most about your job.
Then think of doing what you hate most for five straight hours, every single day,
sometimes twice a day, in 120-degree heat," he said. "Then ask how morale is."

Frustrated? "You have no idea," he said.

SNIP-->
But some soldiers in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Division -
interviewed over four days on base and on patrols - say they have grown increasingly
disillusioned about their ability to quell the violence and their reason for fighting.
The battalion of more than 750 people arrived in Baghdad from Kuwait in March,
and since then, six soldiers have been killed and 21 wounded.

"It sucks. Honestly, it just feels like we're driving around waiting to get blown up,
that's the most honest answer I could give you," said Spec. Tim Ivey, 28, of San Antonio,
a muscular former backup fullback for Baylor University.
"You lose a couple friends and it gets hard."

"No one wants to be here, you know, no one is truly enthused about what we do,"
said Sgt. Christopher Dugger, the squad leader.
"We were excited, but then it just wears on you - there's only so much you can take.
Like me, personally, I want to fight in a war like World War II.
I want to fight an enemy.
And this, out here," he said, motioning around the scorched sand-and-gravel base,
the rows of Humvees and barracks, toward the trash-strewn streets of Baghdad outside,
"there is no enemy, it's a faceless enemy. He's out there, but he's hiding."


SNIP-->
Steffey said he wished "somebody would explain to us, `Hey, this is what we're working for.'"
With a stream of expletives, he said he could not care less "if Iraq's free" or "if they're a democracy."

"The first time somebody you know dies, the first thing you ask yourself is,
`Well, what did he die for?'" <--SNIP

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[CoffeeCat]

1. I firmly believe that...

...the reason that they don't allow soldiers to go home---is because they know that these soldiers will come home, tell the truth and ignite a powerful anti-war movement.

The veterans returning home from Vietnam fueled the anti-war movement into a massive protest that could not be ignored.

It must be horrendous and REALLY, REALLY bad--if soldiers in the middle of the war--are making statements like this.

[Breeze54]

2. I agree with you.

The soldiers are exhausted and as stated, don't even know why they are there.
I "hear" the disillusionment in their statements. This isn't good.
I mean, there was rebellion in Vietnam from soldiers and then it spilled into
the US streets, when they came home. You are right on target.
This could be the beginning of the end of the war, if, like you said,
they all were to come back and express these thoughts outloud.

Do you really think that's why they're being held over?
:shrug:

[CoffeeCat]

5. I really believe that...

...this administration has gone to great lengths to squelch dissent and hide the anti-war movement.

Because the anti-war movement is manageable--they've resorted to keeping us in certain zones and away from the limelight. In addition, their heavy-handed tactics (via the police) are designed to keep people away from protests---to keep the movement manageable and small. Big numbers looks bad. Plus, the more people join a movement, the more likely that middle-of-the-roaders or "followers" will glom on and participate. They understand---very well--that they need to squelch dissent.

Yesterday, it was announced that soldiers who thought they were going home soon--have been re-assigned to Baghdad and will be there for at least 4 more months than they planned. Look at the timing on that one. The election is in Nov.

They can't have a bunch of rugged, patriotic soldiers returning home and revealing the truth. Right now, their version of the truth is put forth by random Republican Congressmen/women and radio-talk-show hosts who stand in the Green Zone for five minutes and return home. They regale us with tales of how wonderful everything is and how the Iraqis love us.

Oh please.

That propaganda would be annihilated in a nanosecond, as these brave soldiers return home and tell us all how it really is.

They can't have that. They won't have that--- certainly not before the election.

[spanone]

3. Answer to last Question: British Petroleum/Exxon-Mobil/Chevron etc. etc.et

[Breeze54]

4. Yeah, I understand all about the oil

but I guess I was looking at 'other' possible reasons too.
More ulterior motives.
I don't think that oil is the only reason asshat wanted to invade...

oil, $$, friends businesses, etc.? :shrug:


(I'm pretty tired right now. Not feeling well.
Please forgive me for not being on top of my game today.)