Hey bros. I'm still alive. I thought I should drop you a line.
As you know I've been up north for a few days and now I am back. It is always interesting, if you know what I mean.
Our C-130 was diverted to a place and the pilot skillfully blew a tire when we landed. I think he overshot the runway and did a panic stop. Those c-130s can stop quick. We didn't hear the tire blow out but we did smell the burning rubber.
We did enjoy the hospitality of the place, dinner was MREs on wooden benches and it got worse from there.
What I did want to tell you is that we had several hours of
which we spent talking with the Iraqis that are working for the US Government in one form or another. On of the engineers on my team is a native Arabic speaker, that functioned as our interpreter.
While drinking several cups of tea and smoking Turkish cigarettes, we talked about life under the Saddam regime, the fall of Baghdad, their lives today and what they hope for the future.
Life under Saddam was one of constant fear. You did not mention anything critical of the regime or you disappeared.
Most of the men I spoke with are "retired" army enlisted men. I pressed one to tell me what he did, but he was not forthcoming and said only he was in administration.
When the US forces approached Baghdad, their officers disappeared. The soldiers looked at each other and said good idea! They took off their uniforms and headed home.
They are all glad the the US came to get rid of Saddam. Things are getting better all the time, but there is still a major criminal problem. Since all the prisoners were released by Saddam, they are all running around forming gangs and terrorizing the populace. They have taken over banks and other key institutions. The people are afraid in their own homes.
We talked about US politics, the men were unaminous, they want to vote for George Bush!
OK thats all for now, you know that I am purposely vague with place names.
Bob
As you know I've been up north for a few days and now I am back. It is always interesting, if you know what I mean.
Our C-130 was diverted to a place and the pilot skillfully blew a tire when we landed. I think he overshot the runway and did a panic stop. Those c-130s can stop quick. We didn't hear the tire blow out but we did smell the burning rubber.
We did enjoy the hospitality of the place, dinner was MREs on wooden benches and it got worse from there.
What I did want to tell you is that we had several hours of
which we spent talking with the Iraqis that are working for the US Government in one form or another. On of the engineers on my team is a native Arabic speaker, that functioned as our interpreter.While drinking several cups of tea and smoking Turkish cigarettes, we talked about life under the Saddam regime, the fall of Baghdad, their lives today and what they hope for the future.
Life under Saddam was one of constant fear. You did not mention anything critical of the regime or you disappeared.
Most of the men I spoke with are "retired" army enlisted men. I pressed one to tell me what he did, but he was not forthcoming and said only he was in administration.
When the US forces approached Baghdad, their officers disappeared. The soldiers looked at each other and said good idea! They took off their uniforms and headed home.
They are all glad the the US came to get rid of Saddam. Things are getting better all the time, but there is still a major criminal problem. Since all the prisoners were released by Saddam, they are all running around forming gangs and terrorizing the populace. They have taken over banks and other key institutions. The people are afraid in their own homes.
We talked about US politics, the men were unaminous, they want to vote for George Bush!
OK thats all for now, you know that I am purposely vague with place names.
Bob
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