Iraqi Elections

Yesterday was a busy day, we went south to another post to pick up some news reporters and escort them around. We visited two polling sites and they filmed, but according to my wife the story did not make the big network news (It was ABC). Not that you would know me if you saw me, I was sitting in the gunner's seat in a HMMWV painted like an Iraqi HMMWV. It went very well, no incidents and the Iraqis really clamped down. We joked that they are more like us now because by 1400 they were arguing about who was winning. They even lifted the curfew and vehicle ban. We ended not heading back until the elections were over, at about 1800 local, getting back in settled about 1930. I met my counterpart and we discussed my family, hard to explain that I had no cousins, they are all about family and couldn't believe I didn't have cousins. He invited me to come to his village, but I think I have to pass on that. He wants a picture, though, so should be able to do that for him, but he wants me to wear a headdress and traditional garb (dish-dasha). Maybe it is for propaganda, who know but I will do it. Well, that is the update for now, hope to update again soon.

Riding the storm out

With apologies to REO Speedwagon, just sitting here in Virginia getting hit by Hanna. Got so much to do and so little time to do it. I get to Riley 3 weeks from tomorrow, and we have a buttload of home stuff to do. I have 6 doors to replace, cabinets to remove (we're re-doing the kitchen), and get my stuff ready since I won't be back before I go to Iraq, and my wife will sell when I am there. Today is a good day to get things done, so I thought I would post something I heard on Glenn Beck yesterday. He went over the radical group's mission, and ended with this statement "they have their tentacles into an organization that does good things but also teaches that heterosexism is a byproduct of capitalism, white supremacy, patriarchy and male dominated privilege." And he wants to use this group as a national program (costing an estimated $500 Billion) for youth to join, like a military organization (or in lieu of the military). It is admirable, but why don't they just join the military? We already fund it, and I think the skills you get in the military are just as good and may be radical also, but not any worse than Public Allies. Just one more little thing that I think will cost Obama the election. The media is trying its hardest to get him elected, but he has no substance, no experience, and no clue how to run a country.