MAJOR BUMMER... just found out some bad news.

[BeHereNow]

My brother, ex-military helicopter pilot, has taken a job,
due to economic hardship, to fly VIPs in Iraq
for one of the merc companies.
Please send good vibes and prayers his way for his safety.
BHN:scared: :cry:

[Spazito]

1. Yikes, that is dangerous business...

Sending good vibes and hope the economy turns around soon so he does not have to risk his life to survive.

[BeHereNow]

8. Thanks Spazito.

I have friends with multiple degrees who
are working in China because they can't find jobs here.
This is no surprise to me, his decision, but I was
hoping it would not come to this.

BHN

[bbinacan]

2. Which company?

and I wish him the best.

[BeHereNow]

5. Dunno... just know he could not make it on his last gig-

He had been flying for a medical emergency lift company here in the states.
Couldn't make it on what they paid him.
He was in the first Gulf War, survived TWO copters crashes and
is now going back to work for a merc simply because he can not
afford to survive here. $$$
BHN

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

7. Medevac pilots make pretty good bank. Did he have a lot of debt?

[BeHereNow]

9. He has three kids he is trying to help support.

I think that is why he has decided to take the job.
BHN

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

13. One of our rookies left the fire department for Iraq.

[BeHereNow]

15. We are NEVER leaving Iraq... or the Middle East- period.

And more and more US citizens are going to end up working there
simply to put food on the table back here at home.
That is the bottom line and the fuckers who orchestrated this FUBAR
situation planned it that way.
BHN

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

16. and Obama never had any intention of changing it.

[BeHereNow]

17. Love the clear headed on DU.

The only "change" will be to rearrange.
BHN

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

18. Such as changing the names of the Combat Brigades to Support Brigades.

[BeHereNow]

19. Uh huh... you got it.

The Empire must march on, despite the cost in
blood and coin.

BHN

[bobbolink]

31. "The only change will be to rearrange" Beautiful bumpersticker!

Very sad, but right on.

[BeHereNow]

34. GO for it.... me? I am too depressed to do anything these days.

For years, I have been flamed on DU for pointing out the fact
that we are collectively deluded if we believe there is a two party system
in this country. there are the puppets and their masters,
who could give a SHIT about we, the people.
In the end, the proof is always in the pudding, and those
who have been paying attention know the pudding has only
been moved to another serving bowl. A more pleasant and
appealing one. Still, shit on a stick is shit on a stick.
BHN

[bobbolink]

35. I share your depression....except I've become bitter instead. Same coin, different side.

I can't even post on DU what will become of me, and does it matter?

Naw.

I could die right in front of a bunch of DUers and other "progressives" and they'd step over my body and keep on going without missing a step.

Our society is rotten, and "progressives" don't want to face that it's THEM, too.

[Stephanie]

25. They certainly did plan it that way. That WAS the plan.

Occupy Iraq and use it as a base of operations for further expansion of American hegemony across the ME. Anybody who doesn't understand that was simply not paying attention, they were quite blatant about it. Now that the neo-cons are out, we shall see.

[BeHereNow]

27. Thus the Vatican sized city Embassy in Iraq...

And you're right, anyone who buys the bullshit has not
been paying attention.
Most people are not even aware of the US embassy being
constructed by, guess who? In Afghanistan.
BHN

[bvar22]

30. The NeoCons are out?

Then why has the US escalated operations in the Middle East and INCREASED Military Spending?

[BeHereNow]

32. Question of the hour, my friend.

"Change" my ass.
BHN

[bbinacan]

10. Best of wishes. n/t

[Canuckistanian]

23. Couldn't make it as a helicopter pilot?

Wow, that's.... unfair.

WTF is wrong with the salary structure in America if a highly trained specialist can't even make ends meet?

[BeHereNow]

26. Heavy burdens, financially...

Trying to help one of his kids, who has TWO autistic children,
get through school, another who got OUT of the military after
serving and now refuses to have ANYTHING to do with the military
after what he saw while over there, and a third who has a good job for the moment,
but who knows what tomorrow will bring, AND his girlfriend has lost her business.
He is desperate.
Right where the MIC wants him.
BHN

[angstlessk]

3. may things improve for Iraq AND your brother

dern...not good at all!

[G_j]

4. wow

Positive thoughts and hugs your way!

[BeHereNow]

6. Thanks J.

I understand why he is doing it; he is desperate.
I am scared to death for his safety though.
BHN

[G_j]

11. I hear ya

that is scary. I'll visualize his safety and well being.

He must be very good at what he does.

[PSzymeczek]

12. I can empathize.

My BIL, Hubby's next younger brother, is in Afghanistan training police.

[BeHereNow]

14. NOT a good place to be right now...

I will keep him in my prayers, along with my brother and the
rest of the people unable to find work in this country that
pays enough to survive.
WE are so screwed.
BHN

[SusanaMontana41]

24. Me too, PSzymeczek

My nephew, 21, is leaving Fort Bragg for Afghanistan next month. We are scared to death. Sending good thoughts to everyone with a loved one over there ...

[SleeplessInAlabama]

20. My thoughts go out to your brother n/t

[BeHereNow]

21. Thank you SIA...

DU has been a great support to me through the
many years, I appreciate yours.
BHN

[BeHereNow]

22. BTW!!!! Forgot to say.....

W E L C O M E T O DU!!!
BHN

[earth mom]

28. Sorry to hear that-sending good vibes to you and your brother and family.

:grouphug:

[BeHereNow]

29. Thanks for the hugs- we need them...

All of us who have suffered since the BFEE started this mess
decades ago.
BHN

[Buzz Clik]

33. mega dittos

[Liberal_in_LA]

41. more mega dittos.

[proteus_lives]

36. May he stay safe.

And encounter nothing but clear, blue skies.

:grouphug:

[TatonkaJames]

37. Done

I feel for ya, will keep you and yours in my daily prayers.
Thanks for letting us know.

[BeHereNow]

38. Welcome to DU, and thank you.

You will find a great deal of support here,
as the madness continues.
Thank you for your support in my time of utter depression
about the fact that my brother is about to return to Iraq
to fly corporate ass holes around.
BHN

[applegrove]

39. Vibes.

[goclark]

40. Prayers are being sent right now.