We asked if they have a nickname for it: COP Keating, an American outpost trapped in the middle of a hostile valley in Nuristan province.
They didn’t, they replied – didn’t need to. The word Keating (the surname of a first lieutenant who died near here) told them what it was about.
Then Captain Porter interjected: “It’s a little slice of heaven”. That was after a day of about four separate Taliban attacks.
We spent four days on COP Keating, a tiny base close to the village of Kamdesh. It’s sunk next to the most beautiful of valleys, not far from the Pakistani border.
But all around are the hills. And in the hills are the Taliban. When I say Taliban, I am probably wrong. The men who take regular pot shots at Captain Porter and his few dozen men are probably mostly locals. Some might get a few dollars from the Taliban for getting out of bed.
But they never attack when the villagers who work for the Americans are on their base, as – the Americans surmised – they don’t want to hurt people they might know.
It’s safe there, more or less, between 9am and 4pm. Seriously. Life on the base is an agonising wait. There’s little the men can actually do apart from protect themselves. The locals don’t come to them. It’s too dangerous for them to go to the locals.
I kept asking the question: “Why are you here?” and never got an answer that even seemed to convince the respondents themselves.
There are many reasons why they are there: the first is that a civilian provincial reconstruction team decided it was a nice spot, many years ago, for a base. That was when the valley was friendlier and the US was about reconstruction.
Times have changed, and now the soldiers do little bar “force protection” – look after themselves. They say they’re there, sometimes, to interrupt traffic on the road. “It pisses the bad guys off,” one soldier insisted, as militants use it to move weapons.
But there is another, slightly more obtuse reason: if they leave, they hand a propaganda victory to the Taliban. So they stay, and they endure.
A rocket-propelled grenade into the canteen. One into the roof of the barracks. One into the barriers. Taking a piss is dangerous: the tubes that act as urinals are in full view of one of the hills from which insurgents fire, and an Afghan soldier was shot dead there by a sniper.
COP Keating gives you a bleak window onto America’s future in Afghanistan. There is – in all honesty, most soldiers there admit – no real point to the base other than having a base there.
They can’t interact with the people and they can’t do much against the insurgency other then fire a few thousand rounds at it when they think they see its muzzle flash in the hills.
But they are still there, facing local anger, knowing they must magically win over people they can barely ever talk to if they are to achieve much more than a dignified retreat in a few years.
The only other option is to leave, and that is apparently something they are considering at “higher levels”.
We got a very small glimpse at the sort of violence meted out here. One Afghan patrol was returning from a morning patrol when several shots rang out. They passed close: one hit the floor next to our cameraman Stuart Webb, causing fragments of rock to fly up into the leg of a Latvian soldier next to him, who was training the Afghans. He fell over, onto Stuart.
Being on COP Keating makes you careful what you wish for. This is the problem with embeds. It’s not real journalism: you don’t wake up and decide where you want to go, what you want to scrutinise. It’s about putting yourself with a unit and seeing what happens. It’s their wave, you ride it.
And then you have to be honest about why you’re there. People want to watch gunfire and war. They just do. Even the soldiers admit that – admit they watch news most attentively when there’s violence involved.
And if you want to explain to people some of the more complex points about a very tired eight-year-long conflict, you need some exciting footage.
The net result is a very messed up barometer for success: you are spending a lot of time with soldiers, with the basic recognition that you actually need something bad to happen, and knowing the bad things may happen to them.
COP Keating has seen 35 attacks in about two and a half months. That’s one every two to three days. They don’t seem to follow much of a pattern, but they will increase, everyone felt, ahead of Thursday’s election.
We got to leave, but the soldiers do not. And the villagers still have to endure the constant ringing out of gunfire in their idyllic valley.
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Well i think these soldeirs are taking cover of old army vihicle russian military. What they need if they gonna fight these people, do direct fight instead of hiding in their base. What kind of stragetic is that. This looks bad and think they should poll out of that country, and let the afghan people run their own country… i repeat their own country run.
I think you should learn how to spell before you bash on how they are dealing with their situation over there. And also you never know if any family of these soldiers are reading your postings, so for future reference maybe you should watch what you say. Thanks.
Nick and the C4 news crew’s report from Nuristan last night was sensationalist, yes. But it was also brilliant, absolutely brilliant, and very brave. It really did show some of the pointless reality and arrogance of this war. The soldiers in the film could have been straight from David Simon’s Generation Kill. I don’t know if that is more a compliment to Simon’s astute film-making, or a worrying illustration of just how helpless, and reckless, these real life young Americans are.
My son is in Keating right now. Our family is sitting on the edge. His troops (brothers) are fighting for our freedom so that Americans can be safe from terriosts. These terriosts come from these countries. This is where they breed. To call our troops helpless and reckless is an insult to their training, commitment and bravery. These are “BRAVE” Americans risking for their lives to save ours. Doing without the luxuries we have here at home and very little personal supplies only says how unselfish these young men are. It would be very difficult to build any bases in this country due to rural access and violence. They can barely drop supplies and care packages to the troops because they are constantly under fire. They are making the best of a bad situation and we should be proud of their efforts. If anyone should be complaining, let it be our troops – but they are not! GOD BLESS THEM & KEEP THEM SAFE!
Thank you Janece for your answer. My only child is also in Keating and we PRAY DAILY FOR ALL OUR SOLDIERS.
Why do you say ‘GOD BLESS & KEEP THEM SAFE’? Do you believe in Faries, Witches & broomsticks too?
All the evils in this the world and, all the hurt caused is always by humans. Always has been, always will be. There is only certain ways that counteract deeds of evil, and they are Truth & Equality but, Evolution bred traits of selfishness on the time path of survival and, matched with over population due to the reward of sex, there’ll never be piece.
Is this what your ‘God’ had in mind?
anthony martin…what the hell? do you have a loved one stationed in a combat zone? it was not their choice to be there. any sane person would not choose to be there. if god gives peace to the families of the soldiers facing life and death everyday, why would you question that?
Nothing is in the ‘Hands Of Gods’.
Religions are abusive, indoctrinated nonsence. It’s humans that use faiths & religions for their evil manipulatory ways to enslave and control other humans &, they contribute/cause hatreds & wars in this world.
I’m afraid there is no answer, nor any ways of solace in this world full of evil people. Selfishness, Greed, Corruption and Spitefulness have dominion over Altruism, caringness, sharing, love, respect & piece.
If praying helps people, then by all means go ahead.
Anthony, you are a very ignorant individual. And anyone that has the same opinion as you do, is too. SGT Justice says it all! My nephew started training in the summer of 2001 at the age of 17. He is now 27 and committed to his job. What does this have to do with unemployment as it is today? The Military didn’t cause unemployment? Have you been paying attention to the news lately? I don’t know why you think that if a person chooses employment in the military such a bad choice. Who is going to protect our country and world peace if we don’t have a military? You? That’s a scary thought. The question is are you brave enough to risk your life to protect us if we don’t have a military? Are you going to fight the “evils” of the world? I don’t think so. If we don’t fight there is not a chance for peace. You can read the fear and ignorance in your writings. My nephew has a job that he is committed to. Do you have a job and are you committed to it? Also, you need to brush up on your history. If we were trying to run their country it would have been done in the last 8 years. We left too soon. The majority of Afghanistans and their government asked us for help and that is why we are there. Democracy is important in all countries. I certainly do not want to be nuked by “witches, fairies & broomsticks(?)”,
Anthony, and whoever else agrees with him, “What is terrorism?” The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. So on 911 it was ok for terrorist to enter the US and take over 4 American airliners: American Airlines Flight 11 (crashed into the WTC): 92 (including five terrorists) United Airlines Flight 175 (crashed into the WTC): 65 (including five terrorists) American Airlines Flight 77 (crashed into the Pentagon): 64 (including five terrorists) United Flight 93 (downed in Shanksville, PA): 45 (including four terrorists) and killing: 2,595 people in the World Trade Center and near it, including: 343 NYFD firefighters and paramedics 23 NYPD police officers 37 Port Authority police officers 1,402 people in Tower 1 and 614 people in Tower 2 658 people at one company, Cantor Fitzgerald 1,762 New York residents 674 New Jersey residents 1 NYFD firefighter killed by a man jumping off the top floors of the twin towers. There were 125 civilians and military personnel at the Pentagon. 1,609 people lost a spouse or partner on 9/11. More than 3,051 children lost parents. So are we cowards and going to sit by while terrorists come to US soil and kill our innocent citizens who have the right of life? These were innocent victims of terrorism! Where does terrorism come from? The mid-east countries! If the US or other Nations do not join together and get some control on this, I’m afraid we are doomed. These terrorist have no respect of life and they will do anything for money and power. Blame it on our government politics if you want, but this will not solve the problem or realty we are facing with terrorism in our country or other countries. And though everyone is angry with Scotland as I am, there is even more reason to be on guard and aware of the results of this foolish and ignorant decision. It is a time to quit bashing and face the truth. We are living in a time of real fear and threats. Just cross your fingers if we are attacked again. We are looking at mass destruction. GOD BLESS OUR SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES! Without them we would have no protection! Thank you Janece , Marie and Mary for your sacrifices! Thank you Mary Henry for your support! SGT JIMMY YOU ARE A HERO! THANK YOU!
Thank you Jen for your support also!
.
It looks like they’ve got themselves another Khe Sanh.
We have fought many wars in the past. WWI, WWII, Korean, Bay of Pigs, Gulf War, and many others not remembered. Vietnam was one of them. This is one war will not be forgotten for those who lived and experienced it. At home or in Vietnam. We lost many soldiers. Peace comes as a costly price. Many say we lost that war. Did we? There is change there. Website: http://www.haivenu-vietnam.com/vietnam-today.htm. We shouldn’t forget the brave soldiers who fought this war and other wars. Again, they did their jobs and sacrificed their lives. They are heroes! You need to be more compassionate to Vietnam veterans!
Mr. Walsh makes an often unspoken point about the difficulty of journalism in a combat zone: the violence is the spark that ignites public attention, and TV is, in the end, a business. We try to show visiting journalists the “whole elephant;” and while the village shuras, uneventful patrols, and peaceful bases are interesting, they are not news. There is a backstory to Afghanistan and our mission that can’t fit into a blog or a 3 minute film clip. Those are my Soldiers on Keating — and they do their best under trying conditions, every day. It isn’t Khe Sanh, anymore than Kabul is Saigon — though conclusions are often easy leaps. I appreciate the time we spent with Mr. Walsh and Mr. Webb, and that they are telling our Soldiers’ stories. They are welcome back anytime.
How would you know how your soldiers are feeling? Are they ‘proud’ to be there? How quick would they leave if they could? Why did they join the armed forces (many do because of unemployment) Do their opinions get heard or, are they all bound by secrecy and ‘loyalty’?
Oh, and you could give a summary of the mission in a blog. Why not?
“Democracy?”,just what do we in Europe,
living under an oppressive,filthy,greedy
dictatorship have to teach anyone,we’ve got a bloody nerve don’t u think? We are governed by those stuffing their pockets
and laying the way for future riches far in
excess of their wildest dreams(ie,a certain
ex-prime-minister)while leaving the rest of
us in miserie. To think that our young people are fighting and dying for these
charlatans fills me with disgust.I did my time in the armed forces and was proud
to serve my country—I wouldn’t do it again
now!!
[...] who know the front line only too well have been posting their comments on our blogs, including Lt Col Brown on Nick Paton Walsh’s reports from his embed at Camp Keating and a British soldier gives his perspective on the attacks launched [...]
My son is also stationed at Keating. Nick, I think you actually flew in with him. Watching the 9 minute video gave me a brief glimpse and understanding what my son is going through. I have shipped over $700 worth of supplies for these guys over 2 months ago and they have not recieved any of it. NowI hear they are only getting 1 meal a day so I have 7 more boxes to ship, hoping they will get to our guys. Thank you for a real news story, not much of that happens in the U.S since we have more important things to report on here. (I.E. Michael Jackson, his kids and their real parents)
The media in the UK is much the same. The celebrity mentality is pathetic and, the filtering, selective, sensationalistic, politically motivated, brain-washing ways are a joke.
It’s only channel 4 that comes some way to giving ‘acurate’ reality news.
Hey I’m in the unit your son just relieved. Spent time at both keating and Fritschie. Mail is… not as importaint as the supplies needed to sustain day to day ie. food, water, ammunition. Your son’s living conditions right now are unbelievable. We had high ranking officers come out for they’re 30 min tours of the base scared shitless and in awe of how we lived, it was actually somewhat ammusing. My parents sent a lot of packages to me as well and it would take months to get their. At the end of our deployment my troop had a whole connex full of mail that didn’t make it out. But keep sending, he’ll get it sooner or later and it will boost his morale like none other. If you have any question at all feel free to email me.
Thanks Nathan….did you find anything there that worked for fleas?
Anthony..FYI..I think you are lookingfor PEACE not piece.
Mary, using the acronym of FY to me is not conducive to this blog. Your ‘God’ may forgive you but, I don’t so, please stop implying swear words because I express a view that you dislike. And, please stop nit-picking at my spelling of the word peace. We all make minor misprints when using a keyboard.
Fleas are a huge problem there. I personally didn’t have a problem with them biting me but a lot of guys did. I know there was a lot of bug nets when we left the base. We used to bleach the floors, and flea powder/ collars around the beds.
Anthony… I said FYI as in FOR YOUR INFORMATION. And the difference between peace and piece is more than a typo. If you want your opinion to be respected I think you should know that.
James- Would love to have some private correspondence with you. But first and formost let me say WELCOME HOME!!
Nathan…sorry that WELCOME HOME was meant for you…dont know where I got James
Yes, the US and British soldiers are brave, and I hope they come back safe and sound. But they shouldn’t be there. They can’t win – it is absolutely impossible to defeat a people who inhabit that terrain, and who have very little to live for apart from fighting those that try to destroy them. Our troops being there will make the problem worse, not better. Our assault on their country will give rise to a new generation of ‘terrorists’ who will grow up with the idea that the US and UK are evil, and are prepared to devote their lives to revenge. Our troops are not there fighting for our freedom and democracy (we already have those things) – they are there as pawns in a very dangerous game. The mess they leave behind when they do get out will be worse than what was there when they arrived.
The Soldiers just ‘do their job’ and ask no questions and are probably fearful of giving an opinion.
One will note that those dishing out the orders never actually go take part in the horror of their commands.
Morale would be easier to gauge & improve if truths were told instead of selective filtering and spin.
Anthony Martin your a jackass. If you think for one second that soldiers don’t ask questions, or complain, or question what they’re doing then you are a complete moron. The sitution is tough and complex here. We work with what little we got here and take on anything that is thrown at us. I run of the sections here that patrol the area. The terrian is rugged, dense with trees and surrounded multiple places for the enemy to hide. Anytime there is a fight I can ensure you the emeny is smacked in the face and tucktails it back to their caves. Although this won’t win a war by the number of battles we fight here. We move in very small steps by assisting and training the Afghan forces that reside here with us. So when the time is right we can pull out of here and they can continue to secure their own country. We are dealing with a group of young Afghan men who have little or no education at all. They cant write their own names and couldn’t even tell what year they were born. But they are eager to learn the skills we teach them and are lead by our Latvian conterparts who do an outstanding job for what they have to work with. Almost all the Afghan Army forces who are here with us are fresh out of their basic training. We have little supplies to refit. Most of my guys pants are blown out and unserviceable do to the terrain we have to deal with. My guys cant even count on a shower or a hot meal, let alone get their laundry washed. We do this day in and day out. Of course there is complaining, when was the last time you put on 75lbs of extra gear on and crawl up 7,000ft in elevation to come back to little or nothing at all. Our guys have heart and wont give up. And in some twisted way enjoy the hardship, we look back at our grandfathers who not so long ago fought a war and had less then what we have here. By enduring these hardships here gives us a greater understanding what they went through and what it is to be an American Soldier. Before you get all poetic next time let me send you a pair of my boots, lace them up and come out here and develop a real opinion…
I express an opinion and you call me a ‘Jack Ass’ & a ‘Moron’! Is this how you treat others?
My gripe is not with those people ‘just doing their job without question’, but with the political & media distortion, selectivity & lies.
You paint a picture that wouldn’t be a miss from the WW1 & 2 yet, the soldiers morale is good?! It sounds more like apocolypse. There’s no doubt that what your going through, whether out of choice, loyalty, obligation or personal challenge or revenge but, to be doing so under the conditions you say, is just diabolical. I don’t need to don your tattered boots or, laden my self with a 700Ib weight and act out ‘Rambo’ in order to sympathise with your dilema. It is guys like those out there who bear the brunt of seeing off evil acts by people who are full of hatred, because of inequality, corruption and double standards, in this world.
Where it ends is anyones guess but, for everyone involved, this is just terrible.
I was told about this blog. You will see my comment. I saw your name as Jimmy Justice on the website. Somehow I picked up your first name when I wrote on this blog. I apoligize if I didn’t use your proper title. Just wanted to say your blog was excellent! It’s nice to have a different perspective of what our troops are experiencing. I want to thank you for serving our country! I am behind you and your troops 100%. It is not an easy job. I, my family and friends support you and are proud of you.
Obviously, feelings are running very high and, people are looking for an outlet for their frustrations.
Please don’t misunderstand my views. I have no affiliation to any evil numpties in this world. All I want to see is peace but, this can not come about while people are either blinkered or don’t face reality.
History isn’t just about conquests and winning wars, it’s also about human procreation, survival, development, psychology, understanding interactions and recognising the inherent selfishness and evilness that man can do.
Whether one percieves my blog as poetry or, something to consider, is a free choice but, man has evolved along the evolutionary path of survival at any cost. This means that every person alive is a successful survivor of ‘his’ ancestors. The journey layed foundations of evil acts of every concievable way yet, they lurk within. Unfortunately, as global population increases, due to the evolutionary reward of sex, this poses as great a threat to man as any war or Terrorist.
Now add in ‘ UNRESTRAINED CAPITALISM’, greed, political corruption, prejudism, religious indoctrinations, selfishness and you have ingredients for hatreds and revengful people, who suffer at the hands of the greedy rich, to the point of lives not worth living.
Is this the work of some ‘God?
It don’t matter whether you’re the president of the US etc. but global population & unrestrained capitalistic greed must be addressed as a way of countering hatreds and dwindling resources, all of which act as precursers for inequality and the eventual cause of fanatics that carry out evil deeds like 911 because they have nothing to lose.
It’s only human to feel frustrated. And to have to read all of your bla bla bla makes it more frustrating. Yes, you have a right to your opinions just as everyone else here. When opinions get so bazaar enough is enough. Let’s face reality people who are not well educated are not going to understand one word or sentence you have written. If this is what you call poetry then I missed something in my education. They will only learn by what they understand and by example. There are many people out there to reach. And we can’t reach all of them. So your opinions continue to rattle on and are annoying. You complain about everything but are you doing anything to change it? Every view you have is negative. I don’t see where “CAPITALISM” has anything to with the subject we are talking about here. You may want to discuss that with on another blog that addresses it. As far as our government making mistakes, they have made many. I would rather live as an American with a government and democracy than to live without it. Wars are reality. They have been going on for thousands of years. I believe the understanding of war is to conquer. In order to gain peace sometimes it takes war to conquer. Obviously just talking to other countries about peace is not working as history records. I am not in favor of war by no means. I want to feel peace and be safe in my own country. If we have to go abroad to gain it then so be it. I would rather have it fought on their soil than ours. As far as Rambo, I don’t think the SGT was comparing himself as a fictional character in a movie. What is was trying to say is that the job he does is very physical. It is quite apparent you don’t have a physical job. If so, you could have comprehended what he was trying to express. Life is just not fair. To whine about is not going to make it better. There has not been one positive view or opinion throughout your blogs. You have desensitized yourself to anyone’s feelings or opinions. You have changed the meaning of what they are trying to say or express as a negative opinion of your own. You have been harsh and mocked those who have expressed feelings, views and opinions. Then you come back all defensive and hurt when they call you a moron. If you care about what is happening in this world, then do something about it. Complaining doesn’t change anything. You can’t change the past or dwell on it. You need to move forward and help change the future. I feel sorry that you feel so much hatred for this world.
Diane, I am entitled to express my opinions whether you like them or not. They are not ‘Bla Bla Bla’ just because I don’t conform to the expected norm of ‘agree with the war & ask no questions’.
I think you’ll find people are not as ‘uneducated’ as you say and, my sentences are legible.
When I said ‘Poetry’ I was refering to SSG Justices remark. Go read his blog before you critisise.
My ‘rattling on’ is no different to yours. We are both expressing ‘opposing’ opinions.
As for where does ‘Capitalism’ play a part well, let’s just say, once you realise that UNRESTRAINED CAPITALISM is the root cause of poverty, greed, selfishness and breeds hatreds in people who turn to ‘radicalisation’, you’ll begin to understand what wars are all about.
Wars are not just flipant reality, they are terrible and should always be as a very last resort. You are correct in saying that peace can only be had as a result of certain conflicts but, these conflicts are to eliminate leaders who mentally unstable.
People who have relatives active in this situation, should consider if it’s wise to vent their anger on a blog. It distorts their views because of their closed mindedness.
You say I’ve not given any positive views. The nature of this blog is about horror of war. What’s positive remarks could be gleaned from such a subject, other than to say something to please you?
It’s very presumptuous of you to say I don’t have a physical job. You don’t know what I do!
You extract and try to convey my opinions as meaningless and ‘annoying’ and self ‘desensitizing’! Bringing attention to situations can have a positive affect too, whether you interpret them as negative or whatever. If my views allow others to say what they would otherwise remain silent on, then all well and good.
The ‘past’ is why we are the way we are today. The past can be changed by the actions of today that become tomorrow as each moment passes!
Just out of interest, did you know that 1 in 6 households in the UK have absolutely no one working and have barely any money? (No, they’re not all low-life lazy bums sponging on the state) These people, in this situation, are the breeding ground of hatreds from the consequence of ‘Unrestrained Capitalism’, greed, political corruption and the filthy rich. I’m sure they’re in your contry too.
I don’t hate the world. I love it. It’s people who CAUSE and, ACT OUT evil deeds that I hate.
I do a great deal to contribute in sharing and caring, in this unfair world.
Diane, in answer to your question ‘What Is A Terrorist’. Well, there’s no doubt that the list of atrocities you give in relation to 911 answers your question but, the definition of a ‘Terrorist’ is seen differently by people when they are percieved as ‘Freedom Fighters’. During the second world war the ‘French Resistance’ could have been percieved as such or, other people who fight in the name of a passionate cause. The true questions that should be asked but, seem to be avoided because the answers expose reality & truth are: WHAT CAUSES a person/s to become a ‘Terrorist’. I don’t mean the usual answer ‘they’re brainwashed’.
‘Terrorists’ are people. They’re not Aliens. They are human and, so are accountable for their actions but, it’d be better if we could understand WHY people do what they do. This would give the adage ‘Prevention Is Better Than A Cure’ proper meaning.
The power of dialogue, respect, understanding, equality, education, setting good examples, motivational/inspirational acts and promotion of integration, should never be underestimated in there ability to defuse and create a basis from which to build but, given the nature of humans, these would be frought with as many distrusts as any other situations in life.
We can only hope that common sense and decency prevail in the end.
Anthony, I don’t care to see a terroist view or what causes them to be one . I don’t see a passionate side to torture, suicide or killing. I think everyone knows it’s caused from brainwashing. That is why they do what they do and believe it is righteous. They have no value or respect of life. If you call this humane there is something wrong with you. As far as prevention, if I’m not mistaken, that’s what we are trying to do. The only thing that made any sense was your last paragraph. Are you for real? You are very twisted!
I sent a package on July 22nd and my son received it on August 20th. Dropped in after the elections along with their supplies. I send a package a week. I think the care packages are held back until there 30 day supplies are dropped.
Strange how assassination of my views seem to have stopped once I gave an explaination for the reality of ‘Mans’ evilness.
The truth is, whether people like it or not, there are people who, as SSG Justice quotes ‘…and in some twisted way enjoy the hardship’, actually thrive on a challenging/fighting situation.
Young, angry, & maybe unemployed, impressionable people, are positively ecouraged to feel like they could be a a ‘Hero’ when war is glorified and joining the armed forces is depicted in a great carreer move. To be a ‘Warrior’ or, to make a ‘Man Out Of The Boy’ and promote ‘bravery’ as the upstanding ‘winning’ formula over the ‘Coward’ is pathetic. People can only be ‘brave’ & determined if they are personally or, collectively 100% clear as to WHY and HOW, they are carrying out an ‘action’ for the betterment of the world.
Life is about survival as the SAS know only too well. War is not only about, ‘Our Brave Boys Out There’, it’s not a Cage Fight where people delight in the kill, it’s not the Olympic Games where only the ‘winner’ gets the trophy, it’s not an arena where ‘actions & fights’ only grab the news because it’s exciting, it’s not a film set for the ‘Rambo’ mentality and outlet for testosterone. It’s a place where man meets the concequence of mans unfairness & deciet to his fellow man. It’s where we hope that from the lines of horror shall come PEACE and unification of man but, people pay the worst price in the loss of their lives and, to whom the benefactors owe the greatest respect.
Once in awhile I go to this site to read the blogs. Mostly because this is where my son is stationed and I feel a connection here. I find your blogs very disturbing. I can read an accent in your writings. You work and struggle too hard with words to express your feelings. Your writing and comprehension does not flow naturally like an American. You are educated though. You seem to be very much troubled. You don’t seem to be American to me. If you are, you are torn between countries. You seem to like history and know it. Do you know why America is called “land of the free”? Because of the brave! Freedom does not come without a cost. For countries who want freedom, it will take many years to achieve because of theorists and drug lords are doing their best to stop it. In other countries we still have communism. Do you think it’s fair or right for these groups to occupy their country and take their choice for freedom away? I bet if you asked any of those countries if they wanted freedom, the answer would definitely be yes. Can they achieve it by themselves? I don’t think so. Most of these countries are poor, no education and poorly run governments influenced by the Taliban and al Qaeda. America does not like war. Our troops do not want to be there. They would rather be home. The families want them to come home. I want my only son to come home. I think the blogs speak for themselves. Our American and NATO troops need our support. America will not be bullied and they don’t care for bullies. America does not condone slavery, torture, and killing helpless, innocent people who have no means of protection. Kenya is not our problem. We are there feeding the hungry. The list of good deeds to other countries goes on even if it’s not our problem. America is a humanitarian country and you cannot change this. Have you read the bible? Our God is on the side of the righteous. He does not want his children to suffer. God is the only one that can judge us. Hopefully we are making the right choices and decisions in his eyes. The only reason my son called you what he did was your ignorance to their hardships, living conditions and experiences. Especially when you don’t have a clue about how it really is there and how they really feel day to day. I don’t even know and I’m his mother. I read your response back. You really missed the message my son was trying to say to you. Some of these other blgs you missed the message too.
Janece, every person on this Earth is equal. People don’t have to be an American to be judged the right/prefered nationality.
Obviously, we speak in different accents and dialects and, we express our wordings to befit our understanding. Although you interpret my parlance how you choose, does not mean my writing is any less worthy than American.
Just out of interest, I’m completely self educated (believe me when I say, this has been a very difficult journey) because as a child/teenager I lived a life of physical & emotional abuse at the hands of a step father. I got bullied at school due to poor ‘ability’ and poverty. It was when I got to 18 I hit back physically. I later defended poor helpless people, including old people, by taking on the bullies and, helping financially when I was able. I still do.
I’m not sure why you consider my blogs ‘very disturbing’, apart from the fact that I don’t subscribe to the ‘God’ clan. I am a free thinker and, I will not be bound by some religious nonsence. There is far to much evil in this world to believe in a ‘God’. People who do, usually have some cop out for ‘God’ when questions about wars, poverty, abuse, greed, selfishness, over population, famine, cruelty, etc, etc. are asked. I’ve met many verbal & physically aggressive people deffend their indocrinated ways when I ask these questions.
I’m very sorry that your son is in this situation. My comments are in no way given to belittle the commitment and bravery he shows by being there. I hope he does come home to you safe and well. I also hope he does not have PTSD and intergrates into Civi St on his depature and, recieves FULL support in the years ahead.
I recognise that humanitarian deeds are great but, it’s not just America that does these. Every country and people are equal.
I’m English. There are a lot of people in this country who contribute to the millitary alliance & of humanity too. They too have sacrificed & suffered, just like the US & other countries. But, there are many people here who cause poverty & hatreds too.
Where do you see these awful situations ending?
And lastly, if you find my opinions distasteful or offensive, then I apologise.
I’d like to say that every war that’s ever taken place, has been caused human evilness or mental cases.
The big areas that gets me really angry and that are generally ignored because they expose the truths are: Rich people, politicians and situations like UNRESTRAINED Capitalism and popultion growth, absolutely CAUSE hatreds and consequences. These People like Fat-Cat bonus grabbing Bankers, should be hunted down and stripped of their collosal assests and imprisoned in Guantanamo. Systems that create massive social divides should also be smashed.
Janece, I’d like to give you links to 2 of the most beautiful seasonal songs. Although I’m Atheist, it does not preclude me from recognising the absolute beauty & emotion that people convey in their faith music and, that sharing them with you shows I care:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbxbQPssZeg
And:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvKF__2r5Tw
I hope you like ‘em.
Anthony, no matter what your personal opinions may be on war, you should understand that feelings on the subject itself should be put aside when it comes to supporting our troops. I don’t like war myself, but I stand behind my troops and support them whole heatedly. They are brave people who are protecting our freedoms and should have our support no matter our personal opinion of war.
My cousin SSG Jimmy Justice is fighting in Afghanistan right now and I think about him everyday, hoping he’s safe. I’m a grateful and proud of his service, and the rest of the troops fighting for our freedom/protection. You are allowed to express your opinions because of these brave soldiers protecting our freedoms to continue to allow us the freedom of speech.
So please, the next time you express your opinion, please remember that there are people reading this with family and friends who are doing a job that you, in my opinion, could not handle, by choice, or not.
And for you to claim that soldiers are uneducated or have this job because they’re unemployed is just ridiculous. That is an ignorant opinion based on no facts whatsoever. We shouldn’t pass judgment on why they chose to do their job, we should just appreciate what they are doing for our country. If we didn’t have brave men and women enlisting voluntarily, then people like you would have to be drafted.
So just appreciate what the troops are doing and show your support no matter what your political views are or what your opinion on war is.
And yes, religion happens to be a major factor in this war, and most wars, but that does not mean that we should disregard religion or not say the words “God Bless” when speaking of the soldiers. There are many forms of religion and many different beliefs in the world. I myself do not affiliate with any one religion, but do believe that all religion is not good and that all religion is not bad. It depends on how you use it. Just like the freedom to bare arms. Not all people use this freedom correctly.
I also find it very offensive that because I have a relative serving in the military that I am “closed minded.” I am a VERY open minded person and share your same views that war should be a last resort. Maybe we didn’t get into this war under the best circumstances, but it is what it is and it’s now time for our troops to do their job and for us to support them. The USA being a humanitarian country, needs to protect ourselves from the terrorists who are trying to eliminate our freedoms.
Oh and for the record, next time you want to call someone “uneducated,” make sure you edit your blog. I would call you uneducated based on the MANY words you misspelled in your various blogs. I myself, have a college degree and continue to expand my knowledge by reading many books and being updated on current events. Like Mary said, there is a HUGE difference between piece and peace. We learned that in 2nd grade.
Lindsay, I’d like first of all draw your attention to the fact that it was not me who talked of people being ‘uneducated’, it was Diane! So, please read the posts correctly.
If you read my posts, like others should, you’ll see that I have not insulted, nor tried to degrade other people’s comments, like people try to do to mine, just because they don’t like my blunt reality.
It’s interesting to note how all the negative comments towards me are from people who have been making wild assumptions about what I do and, what I don’t do,…. without even knowing what I actually do! They also assume I’m some ‘ungrateful, unsympathetic, ignorant, uneducated coward, because I’m ‘not’ serving ‘Queen & Country’ WITHOUT question and, I’m not brainwashed by some religious indoctrinated nonsense or, a worthy American! You all need to reread my posts.
I will make no apology for asking questions about what CAUSES wars. I will especially make no apology for asking and exposing those who are worse than ‘Terrorists’: and that is those who CAUSE it and, the systems that CAUSE it.
In order to prevent hatreds and consequences in this world, people need to address the CAUSES. or, in 200+ years from now, when populations have spiralled beyond belief, resources have depleted, etc, etc. wars & acts of consequential terror, will be absolutely everywhere.
Acts of terror are not so much a start of something but, more a consequence of situations that CAUSE hatreds, via inequality, etc. I have given enough examples of causes. Reread my posts. (This post will continue into another ‘reply’ because it was too long)
To ‘support’ war without any question or 100% clarity of the reasons & objectives, is a very dangerous notion and request indeed. (This happened under the Third Reich).
I’d like to ask that people stop trying to extract false ‘negatives’ from my opinions and warping them to seem ‘bad’. I’m entitled to express opinions &, give points for people to consider and, even allow them to question their own ‘open mindedness.
I have used a spell checker while writing this post, in order to deny the ‘perfectly educated’, any further stereo typing digs!
‘Bravery’. Here lies the central part of criticism vented at me. My comments/opinions are not questioning the ‘bravery’ of those who are unfortunately taking part in this so called ‘War On Terror’. I don’t have to be in Hellmand Province, Iraq, or Somalia, etc. to prove I understand ‘bravery’ or, heroic actions.
(There has been a guy touring the UK who was once branded like this by narrow minded people, as being some ‘coward’ and ‘unpatriotic’. He was no soft touch though. Perhaps you’ve heard of him: Muhammad Ali (born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. The world champion Boxer!)
(More of this reply to follow.)
Anyway, I feel that a person does not always have to be an approved ‘Brave Warrior’, who can blow the brains out of another human using weapons, to be judged to be contributing to the ‘good of humanity’. I see contributions such as: prevention is better than cure, always questioning what’s right and truthful, understanding human nature, understanding corruption, understanding revenge, understanding and addressing CAUSES of hatred & inequalities, recognising the power of communication, dialogue, respect, sharing, caring and recognising that two wrongs don’t make a right and, that bad can be perpetrated from all sides, etc.
I’m Atheist and very proud to be a free person. Coincidentally I viewed in a huge Cathedral today in Chester UK. It was awesome and yet intimidating. It stood as a monument not just to the power of religious indoctrinating brainwashing but, also actually a beacon of how man can build beauty, splendour and, create awe and admiration, under common belief and determination. It’s just a pity it wasn’t genuine humanity.
Wake-up, folks. 9/11 was an inside-job. Investigate World Trade Center 7. That building WASN’T even hit by a plane, and it collapsed on 9/11. The collapses of WTC1, WTC2, and WTC7 fit the “controlled-demolition” pattern, precisely. There is NO visual-evidence of a plane even hitting the Pentagon. Terrorists (with little to no flight experience) don’t hijack planes with box-cutters. It doesn’t happen, people. Ask yourselves, “Where was NORAD during the so-called attacks?” Wake up. You’re being manipulated into supporting the agenda of this inhumane and nefarious government. Cave-dwelling Arabs didn’t finance the most-elaborate attack on this country.
The United States is occupying Afghanistan in order to secure Opium production. It’s a big business. If you don’t believe that, perform a Google-Search on Opium production in Afghanistan. Opium production in US-Controlled Afghanistan breaks new records everyday. The Taliban nearly destroyed Opium production before 9/11. Inform yourselves, people. Start connecting the dots. Research Michael Ruppert (Crossing the Rubicon) and John Perkins (Confessions of an Economic Hitman) in order to gain insight towards what’s happening behind the scenes. You’re being lied to. The true terrorists of this world are the people who run it. Inform yourselves.
Ummm – so I wonder what kind of trick photography they used on videos and photos. I wonder how they brainwashed people on the ground who witnessed it so quickly. Where did all those people go and the four planes? They must have had parachutes and jumped for some ungodly reason. Then the four planes crashed somewhere in the states and we couldn’t find their whereabouts. It must have been a car that crashed into the Pentagon. And another crashed in PA killing all those people iwhich was also a car. Now all the families are hiding their kin that parachuted from the planes from us, the press and the government. Damn, someone is really intelligent here. If there were any terrorists involved, they must have been Americans. Oh yea, our government is desperate for control and money, so now that want to be in the Opium trade. That’s it. Mid- easterns don’t bomb buildings and act in suicide bombings. They don’t kill innocent people. They don’t torture their people and they don’t believe enslavement. They are a proud, respectful people of life. No one ever witnesses these actions. How absurd of us. What is everyone thinking? Now I hope I have connected all the dots. I don’t dare be misled about 911. I think you need to do a little bit more research with Google. I think you missed something somewhere! You definately woke me up! WOW!
T. Holland,
These kind of wild ‘conspiracy’ theories do not lay with people who experienced first hand the horror of 911. Please don’t insult people like this. This world is bad enough without fueling peoples emotions on such a specific area. Please ask yourself not what has been but, what will be and, what will YOU do that contributes to the good of Humanity as a whole. Something that you know to be morally correct and does not cause hurt to any person and promotes caring, sharing, understanding and sets a platform of decency and inspiration in an otherwise bad world.
You came into this world alone, like each and every one of us, you go out of the world like each and every one of us. While we’re here we can do good for humanity as a whole, in spite of human evolution & evilness. Try it, you’ll see. It gets more wonderful each time you continually slap the face of evil with altruism.
i agree with ssg justice ive trained with him and absolutly agree with what he is saying as i am at keating and fritsche and i dont understand why people such as yourself badmouth us about what we d owhen all you here is what is on the news i mean by all means voice your opinion but some of us on here actualy know whats going on over there and are living it everyday so you can site behind you computer and write what you do so enjoy your freedom cuz we are working hard for it there is a saying id like to quote ( the more we sweat in peace the less we blead in war) even though we are not in peace time each one of us sweats and bleeds just as much to our soldiers to our left and to our right
well mustafe if you fought at cop keating you would probably know what actualy goes on im shure somebody would love to give you a direct flight out here so you can tell us what to do when we come in contact with the enemy like i tell my family they have lived here all there lives the base has only been there for a few years they know were to go so they will be undetected and we do not hide in the base everybody has there own jobs and some of us do stay inside for saftey reasons so we are not crowded together as because of the small and crampt conditions
My heart goes out to all the families who lost a loved one this weekend. Very very sad weekend. I was in 3-1 at keating and fritschie and was relieved by 4th ID. I wish So bad I could go back out there to help those guys, me and a lot of my buddies feel this way.
nathan nash…please contact me…marykhenry@yahoo.com. my son is stationeded at Keating…thanks
[...] a blog post accompanying the report last August, Mr. Paton Walsh reported that the Americans stationed there [...]
COP KEATING has been demolished. RIP brothers that lost their lifes there. You will not beforgotten.
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