Blowing Off Steam

Where do I start... it's been over a year since I posted last and really, this deployment doesn't allow me adventures as did the last one. However, some things have happened recently that I thought I'd share with the world and keep you all updated as to what goes on here.

Most of you know, especially Hillary, that I can't and won't talk about specifics of the work we do over here. Not that it's super secret stuff, it just shouldn't be talked about over a blog... if you want to talk specifics, lets get together when I'm home and I'll answer any questions you may have. However, for the time being, I'll be vague, but try and get the point across. My primary job over here in Afghanistan is working as a counter-IED analyst... which means I look at the IEDs, trends, facilitation, etc and help the units here try and... "be left of the boom" so to say. Well, my main problem is just that... every time I make a suggestion for them to do something which could potentially save lives, they instead are more worried about the "rules of engagement" and winning the "hearts and minds" of these Afghans rather than protecting their own lives and those of their comrades. I have to preface this and say that we are doing some great things in this country and killing a lot of bad guys... well, not enough really, but at least some. Recently, an IED went off and killed two US soldiers. Not 24 hours later, we observed 8 individuals digging on a road not even 1km away from where the IED went off the previous day... So what do we do? we fire a warning shot. yeah, talk about intimidating... that's not the end of it though. The 8 guys disperse and then come back soon thereafter. So a bird flies overhead and observes them digging again... so they fire flares at them to scare them off!!! Are you kidding me? These animals just killed two US soldiers and what do we do? We continuously slap them on the wrist and tell them to stop doing such bad things! Are we here to win or are we here to please the Afghans? We need to start showing the Afghans that we're a force to reckon with, not someone who will back down when confronted with adversity. These people are animals... they've been at war their whole lives and know no different. All they do is take from us and now they expect it!

Breathe Davy... breathe... I enjoy my work and trying to make a difference here, but it can be EXTREMELY frustrating at times (kind of like right now).

Alright... another topic that gets me riled up as well. I read this recently online... this is from Muslim Cleric Anjem Choudary who is in charge of this movement: "On 3rd March 2011 From 1pm to 4pm (local time), at Pennsylvania Avenue, outside the White House, the Muslims will let the tyrant Barack Obama and the American people know that a new constitution beckons the US called the Shari’ah, and that this worldwide revolution will see it implemented inshaa’allah (God willing) very very soon." I actually just got sick to my stomach when reading this (cite: Sharia4America.com). I don't want to hyperlink it cuz I don't want this cite to get flagged or anything. Here is one thing I wish our nation would do... be like the Australian President and stand up for what we believe in. Here is what he said recently regarding Muslims in his country.

'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. '
'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'
'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country that accepted YOU.'

Well said Australia. Well said.