Iraqis are to Italians as Italians are to Iraqis

iraqis use their hands way too much when talking. they have a hundred different gestures that all mean something different based on how far up their chest they place their hand, or a dozen other variants. i was trying to talk to an IA the other day and i thought he wanted me to steal second base.

Lincoln

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain

Progress

i was gunning for a humvee when the turrets electrical power went out. normally i move the turret 360 degrees with a joystickish device. instead, i had to turn the turrent manually with a handcrank. this led the sergeant in my vehicle, who's been in the army for 12 years, to tell me that that's all he had when he was a new soldier. and he fought wars in 2 feet of snow, barefoot, uphill both ways.

Memorial Day

"Memorial Day is about one thing: remembering the fallen on the battlefield and passing their collective story to the next generation. These stories, and the men who bear them, are the backbone of this American experiment and must never be forgotten. As John Stuart Mill once said, “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing worth a war, is worse.” The minute, excuse me—the second—we believe our freedoms "inevitable and/or immutable," we cease to live in history, and have soured the soldier's sacrifice. He died in the field, so we can enjoy this beautiful day (and weekend). Our freedoms—purchased on the battlefield—are indeed “worthy of war.”'

-Pete Hegseth

You Know It's Hot When...

you sweat from sitting in the shade

You Know It's Hot When...

you start to sympathize with the days dinner as it roasts in the oven

You Know It's Hot When...

you wear nothing but boxers and a t-shirt with your body armor

You Know It's Hot When...

you start to envy the days dinner as it roasts in the oven

You Know It's Hot When...

the dementia caused by heat makes your "You Know It's Hot When..." posts seem a lot like "you might be a redneck if" jokes.

You Know It's Hot When...

you hope for a sandstorm just to get a breeze

Food

after living in the land of milk and honey (or cheesesteaks and beer) for 2 weeks, it's hard to go back to what the army calls food. i'd rather eat a stapler.

I Am Legend

when i finally got back to the COP i found out i was well known for not having been at the COP. i was at the FOB for about a week waiting for a convoy to take me to the COP, even tho a few convoys did go back and forth in that time taking other people with them. this was not entirely my fault, altho i wasn't entirely upset by it either. the homecoming to my sergeants wasn't the most fun, after my platoon sergeant got to the FOB after me and the COP before me. such is life.

Finally Home

back at the COP

Cry Havoc

and let slip the cats of peace.

i'm bored.

Shoes

i'd have to say the best thing about leave, aside from seeing you people of course, was being able to take my shoes off whenever i was indoors. can't describe how nice it was not to have to keep my boots on whenever i'm not sleeping.

Petey the Pistol

finally got my weapon back. i am once again complete.

News, Smews

the AP has an article up now saying april is the deadliest month in iraq for 7 months. this is true, but still at far lower levels than we've seen before. there were a third of the number of casualties as the same time last year. also, while april was the deadliest in 7 months, march was the safest ever. i don't remember that article.

Explanation

the post about irish folk wisdom was because we made our euro lay over in ireland and was there when i heard that quote. too big of a coincidinc to pass up.

Back to the Future, Part II

speaking of which... i recently watched the back to the future trilogy and discovered a major problem. we only have 6 years to develope and mass produce hover-cars, holographic billboards and one-size-fits-all jackets with adjustable sleeves. we need to get working.

Back to the Future

well, it's that time of day again. the time of day when i have to figure out what time of day it is where you people are. you mistakenly believe i am writting this at 3:30am, when i am in fact writting it at 1030. trying to communicate with you is like a word problem for kids.

Irish Folk Wisdom

it doesn't matter how you find the pot of gold. all that matters is that you beat the leprachauns.