Finito

This is a dangerous place. Since setting wheels down 26 days ago, there have been 28 lockdowns, more often than not associated with mortar and/or rocket attacks on the I-Zed. More often than not, they hit us in the late afternoon and evening, although there are exceptions. More often than not, they hit us once on any day, although there are exceptions. More often than not, they launch three or less projectiles at us. Again, there are exceptions.

If Coalition forces get to the launch site fast enough, we kill them. If not, they try again in a day or two. Maybe they’ll get lucky. There are exceptions.

Enshallah.

Recently, the capability for the insurgents to target strategic locations with relative precision point to the use of Iranian gunners imported for the task. We have no way to stop this.

As predicted from the start, Operation Iraqi Freedom is a total failure. Throughout greater Baghdad, the violence and chaos worsens. If I had to state a reason (and I do, if only to keep this diatribe moving), I’d say that it’s in large part because the Iraqis don’t care to do anything about it. This (I’d say), is (in part) because there’s no national identity. The people feel that the violence isn’t against Iraqis, it’s against the Shias (or against the Suni (or against the Kurds)), and until such time as there’s a change in attitude on this level, there will be no peace in Iraq. Should the civil war run its course, it will result in three Iraqs, one for each sect. This is my preferred solution.

As a nation, we can do nothing about this. Nor should we. Our best course is to pack up our weapons and DFAC’s and embassy complex and go home. This place is chaos already. To stay or go will make little difference, except perhaps the Iraqi’s may then feel the necessity to solve their own problems.

A colonel told me a (seemingly true) story that goes something like this –

The Iraqi date business is a multi-billion dollar industry and a very large chunk of the country’s exports, potentially 20% or so. Pesticides need to be applied to the date palms at the appropriate time, or fruit production will be jeopardized. This is something the Iraqis knew, because Saddam forced them to know it, but something that they have not done in recent years, because they know that eventually, the Coalition will spray their dates for them. If they just wait long enough, we will spray their dates,… or build them a power plant,… or police their streets.

I believe that the only long term solution to the local date situation is to give this country back as soon as physically possible. Let the Arab League figure it out. Let the Iranis figure it out. Let the Israelis figure it out. Most of all, let the Iraqis figure it out. We have no place here.

If it’s 25 million threatened people we want to help, why not direct a trillion dollars at our own poor? If it’s our energy security we want, why not direct a trillion dollars at geothermal research. If it’s a global war on terror we want to win, why not stop being such global asshats?

I came over here for a wealth of reasons. I made some cash. I had me some adventure. I checked up on a failed program with no hope of success, and further realized that our only purpose here is to transfer your tax dollars to the corporations that supply weapons and materiel to the war machine. It’s entirely a selfish act on the part of the Administration and a huge example of false patriotism. And try not to believe the Democrats stand on higher moral ground. They own the same companies.

As homework, watch “V for Vendetta”. It’s inspiring.

Convoy to BIAP this afternoon. Wheels up tomorrow.