Shadow's Taxicab reports: "Get us home"

[shadowknows69]

“Just get us home”

It was the first time in my many rides with our troops that one had said those exact words to me. It was kind of a surprise that I was able to glean a story from this soldier at all when 80% of the ride back to post he spent on his cell with a lady friend and then a fellow unit member who he touchingly said “I love you too” to before ending the call. It appeared this was going to be one of those: “shut up and drive” rides. I was pretty spent by this time of night and the lack of conversation suited me just fine anyway.

About seven minutes from his barracks he finally spoke to me although at first he was just speaking out loud.

“Trained to kill”

The words hung in the air for several seconds before my exhausted brain decided to make my mouth do something with them. I really was clueless on how to open the door this guy seemed to want me to open so I blurted out something that I kicked myself for saying when I did, but it seemed to open the floodgates.

“Well, I guess I’m glad somebody is, because I don’t think I’d be very good at it”

I cringed, instantly sure I had crossed that ever so delicate line between caustic wit and pure bad taste and I was very relieved when his laughter told me I hadn’t. The doctor is now in. Pull up a couch and stay a while. I intentionally drove slower than I could have.

“It sucks though man. Iraq sucks.”

“I can imagine”, I quickly corrected myself, “no, actually I can’t possibly imagine. I hear a lot from you guys but I can’t really say I know. All I know is that whatever the reasons for the war, I just want to see you guys come home. Hopefully things might be moving in that direction.”

“I hope so. I just got back from Iraq and I don’t even want to be here. I just want to go home. I want it to be over but there’s a good chance I’ll have to go back to Iraq for another year and a half.” He went on to explain that he had already received two Purple Hearts in Iraq. I didn’t press for details but he said he had been hurt by “shit from an IED”, not only are our troops being sent back too many times they are being sent back broken as well.

“I hope we can somehow end this before you have to go again. Just know there are some of us out here trying to make that happen. Unfortunately it’s kind of like talking to a brick wall getting Bush to do so.”

“He’s such an ass. I’m from Texas and I did vote for him once but…He did have some strength right after 9/11 but now he’s just a little bitch”

I had to chuckle knowing that I would soon have some readers that would enjoy that little exchange. “Well, it is pretty sad having your daddy have to bail you out again for the 18th time or so.”

My rider locked right back on target and ignored my tangent. “I think we’ll probably be out of there by next year some time. I hope anyway with this new congress we will be. You should always vote.”

Are you listening Speaker Pelosi?

“I hope you‘re right sir. Personally I think the whole thing was a mistake, too many of you have been killed and hurt. It’s been made pretty obvious to everyone that it was a mistake and Bush is an idiot so hopefully we can get you home. The country doesn’t have the heart for it. We just have to convince the idiot in Chief”

The ride is coming to an end and as he’s leaving I finally see signs of my passenger’s injuries. His left foot is in a cast and he’s clearly limping and as the light hits his face I can see the shrapnel and suture scars. Also his eyes seem to have trouble focusing on one point together. I don’t know if this was the alcohol or something more tragic but by all means put this poor guy back into combat George. He hasn’t given quite all yet.

He pays me and reaches to shake my hand.

“Thank you sir."

“Thank you, you take care of yourself sir and do know that a lot of us do care and are trying to stop this.”

“Thank you. Just get us home.” The look in his eyes was that of a man pleading for his life. “Get us home. Always vote”

“I do sir, since I turned 18. Take care”

The ride ends. Bring them home now. Tip your cabbie.
Shadow out

[wakeme2008]

1. kick and a nom always look forward to your reports

:) :)

[annabanana]

2. Thanks, shadow.

You are in a unique position. Thanks for engaging with these kids, and thanks for the reports.

[fooj]

3. We Americans have got to get our shit together and soon. Damn.

Our soldiers are depending on us. This is heartwrenching but I'm glad that you shared it with us. We need to hear the truth. We need to bring them home. Holy crap...we need to do our part.

Shadow- thank you for telling him that we care. Deeply.

[shadowknows69]

4. Rereading this I realize it almost looks made up

especially considering the ISG report and all but I swear it happened word for word just hours ago and I had to write it right away.

[fooj]

5. I'm glad you did.

[lavendermist]

32. Fooj, I love that picture..

Where could I get a copy? :)

[Raster]

34. We believe you. No one could make this up. Thank you for bringing it to us..

Bring Them Home!

[NJCher]

7. It was heartwrenching.

The end, where shadow and the soldier depart, brought tears to my eyes.

I can't bear the thought of someone so injured already having to go back there. This nation is sick. How can such things be tolerated?




Cher

[shadowknows69]

14. brought tears to my eyes too NJ

pretty much blatted all the way back to town. Yelled at cruel fate and blatted.

[ClintonTyree]

6. I always read your reports, Shadow.

And thank you so much for posting them. People pour their souls out to you when they're in the confines of a car. A car is one of the defining symbols of our nation. It's freedom, choice, your own little place on earth that no one can invade without your permission. They're paying for the ride so they see it as their time to do or say whatever they like, for good or ill.
These brief but meaningful encounters are the true pulse of what our soldiers are thinking and feeling.
"Just get us home". We're trying son, we're trying. Unfortunately there's a megalomaniac in the White House who talks and listens to the voices in his head. Those voices tell him to "stay the course" and since he's so wrapped up in his own ego there's no possible way an outside human voice can drown out the voices in his head. He always wins the battle of the voices, his ego wouldn't allow anything else. It's time to remove this malignancy from office. We can't afford to wait 2 more years. It's time to send the squatter in OUR White House packing.

[Jazzgirl]

8. Thanks for another heart wrenching report shadow.

I always look for them. Glad you can be there to listen.

JG

[Hekate]

9. Thanks once again Shadow. How I wish all those kids could know how much we want them home...

...and how hard and devotedly so many have worked to make it so.

Hekate

[Swamp Rat]

10. k&r

[5X]

11. Am I sure I want to recommend this topic for greatest page?

ABSOLUTELY.

[Chimichurri]

12. You should write a book. I felt like I was sitting with you guys in your cab.

Heartbreaking.

[shadowknows69]

13. About that

I know many of you have encouraged it and it is absolutely a dream of mine to be a published author but I honestly am not sure I'm capable of it. Not to sound like a pretentious crazy artist or anything but to pump even these columns out takes a tremendous toll on me for some reason. I have to access a part of myself that I can only stand to turn on for small amounts of time because I have to relive everything these guys tell me and that means reliving all the emotions attached to it, some not even mine. Not to get anywhere near metaphysical here but my mind...I can't seem to turn off my imagination even when I want to...Ok that sounded crazy, what I mean is when I hear any story from anyone my brain just instantly plays that out in my head like a movie and even expands on it. My columns have been as theraputic for me as they have been informative because I need somewhere to dump what's been downloaded to my hard drive. That being said, I'm loath to revisit discarded pain in any fashion. What I need is a good ghost writer/collaborator/co-author. Any psych or sociologists out there might not mind your name on such a book? Fellow journalists who are better at throwing garbled thoughts into a cohesive narative come forward. I guess this is an open invitation. If you think this has merit write this sucker with me. This is the internet age. We barely have to meet except for legal matters and those will be dealt with if this is to ever see a page of print obviously. I already must name Ehhhlenna (spelling) of DU as our unofficial literary agent due to her relentless encouragement of this project but I'll pay her out of my cut. B-) Holla at me!

<edit to add>

Most of the "book" is already here on DU. I pretty much have the introductory chapter written in my head as it might read. More stories every time I work. Another problem. The story has no ending. ;(

[5X]

15. I'd buy a copy. n/t

[shadowknows69]

16. w00t!

my first sale. Damn I have to write it first don't I. B-)

[5X]

19. "I have to write it first"

that would be a prerequisite.

But, I might even buy two. : )

[Chimichurri]

21. The more you write the easier it will be to get in and out of that place.

I'm just sayin' cuz you got skillz :patriot:

[never cry wolf]

25. that post is your preface

The book is already well under way. Just a collection of your columns would tell a powerful story from a unique point of view.

[lildreamer316]

26. Was just about to post that.

My mother was an English Professor for 30 some odd years. I don't particularly like that she made me read all sorts of writing, but I know good writing when I see it.

Waiting for the book, patiently.

[lildreamer316]

28. It doesn't need an ending.

Lots and lots of people are putting together books from their blog posts. Cody Diablo is a good example, and she got on Letterman! I have several such books, and I always go back to check the blogs to see what's going on in real time.
All you'd have to do is put a concluding statement of some sort if you felt like it, but it's not really even required.

[Mythsaje]

37. My wife suggests I do the same with my journal posts...

It's not a bad idea, really.

But, then again, my wife doesn't have a lot of bad ideas.

[RaleighNCDUer]

40. The concluding statement is already there.

"This story has no ending."

Pretty much says it all.

[TygrBright]

42. "Writing is easy... just sit down and open a vein..."

Shadowdude, what you're describing is what a writer is. If you don't have to pull it, molecule by molecule, from some mysterious source within, you're not a writer, you're a hack. And for most poor slobs, the process is HARD WORK.

My Darling Husband has published nine books and several chapters. He's currently working on a tenth. I am a columnist and newsletter writer/editor. Writing is harder work than anything I've ever done, including working split shifts as a waitress, double shifts as a bartender, shifting tons of mulch and compost in the garden, public speaking, or anything else. But you do it. You just DO it. You can't NOT do it, no matter how much you try to put it off or cuss yourself out as you sit there looking at the screen and thinking "What the hell next? NOW what? Not THAT word, some other, better word. What? I know I know it... damn..."

So yeah, you're a writer.

Books don't have to have endings.

Just get the words out. And out, and out. Stick 'em in a folder and let them ripen. After time passes go back and read them again. Test them. Are they right? When you read them, do you go, 'Yes, okay, that's it'? Put them away again and let them ripen a little more. Repeat the process. Then let someone else read them. Listen to what that person says, but don't take it as gospel. Just listen. Let it sink in. You don't have to do anything yet.

Slow motion. Long process. Over months things will clear up. At some point you'll know you don't really have any more to give these particular words, you have to let them go now. THEN you can look around for professional help. When that happens, PM me. Or any of the other folks here on DU who have some experience with the writing thing.

encouragingly,
Bright

[shadowknows69]

43. Thank you.

I may be Pming you. I don't have much of a plan to get what I've done seen and maybe you could point me in the right direction.

[Autonomy]

46. The story has no ending.

YET. Start writing and the end will come at the appropriate time.

Lots of writers write their stories piece-meal out of previously published material. Go ahead and use all your stuff written here as a template. Nothing wrong with that.

[trof]

17. Oh man. I'm passing this one around. K&R

Thanks

[shadowknows69]

18. Hunter quote!!!

Love your tag. He's my hero.

[AnneD]

20. These reports

are the real barometer of the troops feelings. I really do hope the soldiers realize we are working to bring them home. It has taken a while for many non DUr's to catch on because of the MSM filtering everything-but the truth is finally filtering through. Thanks for these great stories.

[flying rabbit]

22. one of the reasons

I finally decided to open an account here was to be able to thank you for your reports. Thank you.

[Raster]

36. Welcome to DU!!! His stuff is good, heartbreakingly good.

You're among friends.:hi:

[brer cat]

23. Shadow, your reports are so important.

It's as close to the front lines as many of us will get. I'm sure it takes an emotional toll on you, but the troops are being served well in your cab!

K&R

[Alamom]

24. Incredible story........thank you.

You really should write. You have what it takes to keep people reading and almost not able to wait to see what the next sentence will be.

Thanks, again.




I hope the soldier understood so many of us here are trying, praying, voting and doing everything within our power to "GET THEM HOME".

[QuestionAll...]

27. thanks, shadow. you are a great writer.

I read your accounts and I am right There with you in the front seat witnessing the exchanges.

[Prophet 451]

29. K&R

Damn. Just damn.

[SeattleGirl]

30. Thanks, Shadow

I, too, hope this young man does not have to go back.

[lyonn]

31. Ugh, this one hurts: "Just get us home"

Thanks for story even if gut wrentching.

[Raster]

33. Bring Them Home! Each and every day this travesty continues, another

piece of this country's soul is ripped and torn. The destruction and death are an abomination.

"...Just get us home.” The look in his eyes was that of a man pleading for his life. “Get us home. Always vote”"

God on high
Hear my prayer
In my need
You have always been there

He is young
He's afraid
Let him rest
Heaven blessed.
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.

He's like the son I might have known
If God had granted me a son.
The summers die
One by one
How soon they fly
On and on
And I am old
And will be gone.

Bring him peace
Bring him joy
He is young
He is only a boy

You can take
You can give
Let him be
Let him live
If I die, let me die
Let him live
Bring him home
Bring him home
Bring him home.

Bring Them Home!

:kick:44!

[WildEyedLiberal]

35. "Error: You've already recommended that thread."

That's how good this was. Damn. :cry:

I second the sentiments above... you REALLY should write a book. I'd buy it, and I'd buy some for my friends and family, too.

[speedoo]

38. Brin 'Em Home.... video

not by Bruce... actually even better.

I don't know if anyone can get through this without tearing up...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Lqvl4vXtrg

[ncrainbowgrrl]

39. I teared up. Then I cried.

Amazing video. Thank you for posting this.

[shadowknows69]

41. Yay, we made DU journal home page!!

Thanks everyone! Where were ya'll for my last three though. There were serious crickets. B-)

[yellerpup]

44. I always love your posts.

This is a great story. Thanks. :kick: :loveya:

[ms liberty]

45. Thanks...this is so damned heartbreaking n/t

[think4yourself]

47. Thanks again Shadow

I always HAVE to read your posts. Compelling, vivid and well-written. Write that book! One thing my non-fiction professor always told the class. "You must write every day." Carve out a little chunk of time, maybe an hour at most and write. You have some serious fans here!

Peace

[melissinha]

48. tears....

:cry:

Man, that brought tears to my eyes.... its really quite something that he was so insistent that people vote, very telling indeed.

I swear every time I see some proud soldier eating out with his family, I just want to tell him "Please don't go, I know you want to do your duty, but this is not a mission that is worth it."

[bullwinkle428]

49. "Shadow's Taxicab Confessions" are one of things I love most

about DU!!! Please keep bringing us new ones! :applause:

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

50. I read your story (with tears in my eyes) last night from someone else's PC...

..I wanted to post from my pc, to tell you "Thank you" for a powerful story, beautifully written. (and I'll buy 50 of your books, and hand them out for free, from my taxi.)

Peace,

Jon

[shadowknows69]

51. Well, that's an offer I can't refuse

Consider it started tonight when I get off work.