tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.comments2012-08-17T00:49:35.700-04:00Veteran's ManorCarlahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-61535404080039789722012-08-17T00:49:35.700-04:002012-08-17T00:49:35.700-04:00How are you doing Carla? I hope well... Sending ...How are you doing Carla? I hope well... Sending you good wishes, JeanJean Sasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04988034067292942752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-70600752708660760232011-09-19T02:24:24.118-04:002011-09-19T02:24:24.118-04:00I am currently serving a tour in Afghanistan and w...I am currently serving a tour in Afghanistan and we are working with many of the Local Nationals, I understand the points you have made Carla about them wanting us out of their country and for good reason. They want to be able to see if the type of government they have chosen to take a stand on, will infact work without us here. But since I am around Local Nationals every day, I hear a different story, a story of desperation for the UN to remain in the country and protect its people. For a soldier who serves for a purpose rather than the money, it makes their heart bleed for these people knowing they are scared if we just walk away. I find myself questioning my decision to join the Army because some want us here and the others want us gone, mainly the government. But with the hard work, care, and desperation of the locals I feel an overpowering duty to help them and listen to what they have to say and hear their concerns. They feel safe right now with us here, granted it is difficult for soldiers to be away from their families but it is the respect that is given when we return knowing we tried to help and we stand fast over here and continue to protect. That is what I feel on the subject of their government and what I hear on a daily basis. KristinKristinhttp://www.facebook.com/kristin.hunt412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-62355865228813462282010-10-10T19:17:54.591-04:002010-10-10T19:17:54.591-04:00I'm reading his book right now "My War&qu...I'm reading his book right now "My War". I started it last night and haven't been able to put it down. I'm half way through it and I keep looking at the stack of remaining pages concerned about them ending . This is a great piece of literature because it is so truthfully expressed . I am a Vietnam Vet and maybe Tim Obrien's book "The Things They Carried"reminds me a little of this . Colby has this nailed because even though I'm generations older I can relate to his Army experience as a comabat infantryman. This book should have won the Pullitzer , yet I don't know if it hasn't. Thanks Colby. VietvetAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-36611828370755066572010-02-04T20:30:16.896-05:002010-02-04T20:30:16.896-05:00Can't figure out how to edit replies I've ...Can't figure out how to edit replies I've made so I'll do it here. Made a boo-boo in the second sentence, first paragraph. Learning about those things intrigue me! ;)Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-67953151709881527642010-02-04T20:14:20.907-05:002010-02-04T20:14:20.907-05:00Hi Jean! I do enjoy reading your books. Learning...Hi Jean! I do enjoy reading your books. Learning about the tragedies of women who lived under Saddam in Iraq and under the rules and customs of Islamic socities. I think too many people in our country look at the war now and think that all Islamists' are fanatics, but they're not. You've shown that. <br /><br />Your latest book, Growing Up bin Laden, was fascinating. I'm out of books right now so I'm going back to it for a second read. You really show what a hateful and vindictive person Osama is. It's amazing that someone can be filled with so much hate, and display it even toward his own families. You must have been flabergasted when you found out Omar wanted you to write that for him. Amazing! Hopefully he's out of Osama's reach because I think if he got his hands on him he'd most likely kill him. <br /><br />Please keep up the writing, many of us depend on you for a reliable source of information on what it's really like over there. <br /><br />With Love,<br />CarlaCarlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-10781130241141915602010-02-02T08:55:53.467-05:002010-02-02T08:55:53.467-05:00Hi Carla! This is Jean Sasson. I'm so please...Hi Carla! This is Jean Sasson. I'm so pleased that you have enjoyed my work. Reading is one of the greatest pleasures, in my opinion.. Take care! Jean Sasson www.jeansasson.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10464190587363614963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-23460267204116760212010-01-28T09:04:25.401-05:002010-01-28T09:04:25.401-05:00Agreed! And most likely they will have much more ...Agreed! And most likely they will have much more once we rebuild their country for them.Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-52170294801857511512010-01-28T08:37:13.901-05:002010-01-28T08:37:13.901-05:00If I've learned anything from life it's &q...If I've learned anything from life it's "victim=respect". Victim status in our culture somehow transforms those granted it "saint" status. No matter what else the person or group may or may not have done in their lives, victim status makes them entitled to everything... and without it, then well.. entitled to nothing.<br /><br />The day before the hurricane, Haitians were just people with little to nothing. Today, they are victims with absolutely nothing... but their newly acquired status will make them entitled to everything, and if we don't give it, we are scum. :~dParaTed2khttp://realcards.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-67203514070140559122010-01-26T19:05:50.921-05:002010-01-26T19:05:50.921-05:00The previous two comments by "Ann" were ...The previous two comments by "Ann" were deleted b/c they were ads for counseling services for veterans. Please do not post advertisements on my site, thank you very much!Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-69481785810016240342010-01-18T16:06:18.473-05:002010-01-18T16:06:18.473-05:00I agree with everything you just said Colleen. An...I agree with everything you just said Colleen. And the part about helping people who don't even want our help is how I feel about Afghanis. I'm sure some of them are glad we're there, but I would bet that most of them don't. They know that if they side with us the Taliban is going to be taking some heads the minute we leave. Literally! <br /><br />Vietnam wasn't even our war. It was a war between the people in the North and the South. And we made it our war and look at the way the Veterans were treated when they came home. The Government ignored their claims of exposure to Agent Orange because they were too ashamed to admit they used it. The list goes on.....Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-87669960272297119992010-01-18T15:54:38.442-05:002010-01-18T15:54:38.442-05:00My heart goes out those people that are suffering ...My heart goes out those people that are suffering in Haiti and it is a shame that this devastation has happened in their country. However, we still have people in New Orleans that are homeless and living in government trailers. As soon as Katrina was out of the news spotlight, the help stopped for those poor people who have nothing. That being said, we have soldiers who have fought in wars and came back home with so many problems and they are not getting the help that they deserve. I was under some misguided impression that these brave soldiers would be taken care of by the same government that sent them to fight a war that is not even our war. I have many friends that fought in Vietnam that came back home that will never be the same. I can count on one hand the ones that are OK. Our Country needs to take care of our own and fight the fights that we have on our homeland first before venturing out and helping those people that don't even want our help.Colleennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-74053778269667723992010-01-18T12:05:02.429-05:002010-01-18T12:05:02.429-05:00I'm reading a book now called "My War: K...I'm reading a book now called "My War: Killing Time in Iraq" by Colby Buzzell. It's a memoir about his time in Iraq in 2003. He mentions that they had hand-held radios which made me veryveryveryvery happy! However, (there's always gotta be a "however"), that doesn't mean that everyone deployed in the theatre has them. Everyone should have them whether they're on the front lines, or part of a support group. Anyone driving a vehicle can get lost, anyone can find themselves in enemy territory alone, and Everyone has the right to have access to their supervisors and commanders.Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-7672996919063187532010-01-17T20:02:09.104-05:002010-01-17T20:02:09.104-05:00Terra,
I know exactly what you mean. I'm in ...Terra,<br /><br />I know exactly what you mean. I'm in the same boat. I have spent 6 years of my life getting a degree and a teacher's certification, and I didn't get any help finding a job afterwards. While it's a little off the topic of Haiti, it does fall into the category of our country helping others before we help ourselves. Some will say that if our country has a major disaster other countries might come to our aid, but I wonder how true that is. I didn't see any News Flashes on CNN or Fox about any outpouring of funds coming from other countries when Katrina hit New Orleans. Did you? Clinton's act of care and concern is all a big political show. His reputation was ruined and now he's trying to make up for it. Unfortunately, he's sinking his money into other countries, just like the big businesses are doing. My Grandfather and Father are rolling in their graves.Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-64050478708686720022010-01-17T18:18:21.500-05:002010-01-17T18:18:21.500-05:00All I have to say is...I wonder if the US had a na...All I have to say is...I wonder if the US had a nation-wide catastrophe, what other countries, if any, would come to our aid. I've been looking for a job for over a month now to no avail. Others may look for a job much longer than that. I need money, yo! Send some my way. If I was desperate, I could maybe start selling crack, but that would most likely get me to jail. At what point in your life do you decide to cross the line of desperation? Yeah, it's nice to be giving and loving to other people less fortunate, but how bout my job. Can I get a refund for the university education that is almost useless? It's all just a huge web of a mess if you ask me. Love you all.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607017524357983007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-73836755833761558072010-01-16T11:48:12.542-05:002010-01-16T11:48:12.542-05:00Terra, thanks for posting. About 99% of the peopl...Terra, thanks for posting. About 99% of the people who live in Afghanistan are Muslims. Within the Muslism religion there are the Sunnis and Shi'as and the difference between them is who they believe should be the next "caliph" or leader. But supposing that Hamid Karzai (President of Afghanistan) provides for the country's economic needs and the people see that their lives are getting better without all the fighting amongst the warlords, then the country would be on a new path to peace and stability. Something they haven't had in hundreds of years. But as long as Americans and other Nato forces are their there's gonna be tension. Some of the people will definitely see us as occupants of their country and will and do want us out. But, unfortunately the most wanted man in America is hiding out in the mountains of their country.Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-26586653840841332482010-01-15T10:50:42.605-05:002010-01-15T10:50:42.605-05:00Hey Anonymous--"Three Cups of Tea" is on...Hey Anonymous--"Three Cups of Tea" is one of the few books on Afghanistan that I haven't read yet. Although it's on my list. I just received my latest shipment from Amazon and I'm so excited to start reading. It's "My War: Killing Time in Iraq" by Colby Buzzell. I came across his blog and loved his writing. Although his last entry was in 2005. Makes me wonder what happened to him. <br /><br />You're right, when in Rome We did as the Romans. If we didn't we probably would have landed in the Coliseum on our asses!<br /><br />Right again, always a day and a dollar short of taking care of its troops. I have to say though that after the war, they did take care of me and provided me with a nice monthly disability due to the intestinal problems caused from the water there. But I know there are many people out there who suffered/are suffering more than me and are Not being taken care of. <br /><br />Thanks for your comments and well wishes, they mean alot!Carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09317977248632646700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-59426273501271473892010-01-15T01:56:12.809-05:002010-01-15T01:56:12.809-05:00When in Rome WE did as the Romans!!! LOL! But the ...When in Rome WE did as the Romans!!! LOL! But the culture wasn't that different. Going in to a country so vastly different from what you are used to is hard! You're right, you should have been warned at least. The Government is always a day late and a dollar short when it comes to taking care of the troops! Don't get me started on the whole VA debacle! But as for the experiences you had during the Gulf War...best thing I think you can do now, even 20 years later is use what you learned to teach and help others! I hope this blog helps you sort through all the feelings and I can't wait for your book to get published! Did you read "Thre cups of Tea"? That book really gave me great insight into the people of Afghanistan and ways to meet on common ground!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-31193138564863306732010-01-13T15:17:03.999-05:002010-01-13T15:17:03.999-05:00Sounds scary!Sounds scary!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607017524357983007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-80727918198052722282010-01-13T15:13:42.690-05:002010-01-13T15:13:42.690-05:00Just a question about the various ethnic groups yo...Just a question about the various ethnic groups you mention living in Afganistan: Is religion the largest difference between these groups? What are other differences or similarities that would either bring them closer together or perhaps push them further apart? <br /><br />Do you think that they (the peoples currently residing there) could find a common ground to live peacefully? It is such a fragile state (which is obvious by the past and present), but I'm wondering how a governement could bring peace when their reality is war; for some it's all they know. And how could an institution be implimented in a way that they don't feel threatened?<br /><br />So much to think about...<br /><br />As far as the Croats and Serbs go, since they were more of a westernized society, there may have been restabalization from the middle up after becoming independant, as opposed to from the ground up in Afganistan-almost starting from scratch.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607017524357983007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9213891879724262429.post-80292177823663136112010-01-12T18:26:40.344-05:002010-01-12T18:26:40.344-05:00Keep up the good work. I think what you're do...Keep up the good work. I think what you're doing is great and I am so interested in hearing the voices of your fellow service men and women.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01607017524357983007noreply@blogger.com