typefiend

Well said Greg!

I agree.

And I have to admit that I was actually surprised the US caught Hussein at all. After all I've read about the Bush administration's fucked-up policies regarding intelligence, I'm surprised they didn't somehow end up doing something to damage the situation further.

Love
Laura

The folks in the Intel community do a pretty damn good job....don't believe everything you read. There are a lot of good people out there risking their lives day in and day out to protect our lives. Personally, I'm tired of humping my rifle in this freaking hot weather, busting my ass to protect your rights...It seems the only people who are grateful...are the iraqi's that shake my hand everyday and tell me how grateful they are. Come over and spend the summer with me Laura. Iraq's beautiful this time of year. Ps. if it wasn't for our "fucked-up policies for Intelligence" I would be typing this in my grave.

I believe she was referring to the Intelligence that brought us there in the first place. Im happy your not typing this from your grave, but there are over 400 Americans sadly who cant say the same.

Yeah, I don't think what was being implied was that intelligence nor the men and women of the armed forces were fucked-up in any shape or form. If anything I've noticed there is a pretty obvious consensus amongst left and right that we support the people who are fighting abroad and only wish they can be back soon celebrating Xmas with their loved ones. What is fucked-up is the use of intelligence for skewed and warped political policies that put more US troops in the line of fire when we don't need to, and that the witch hunt had surprisingly come up with an obviously sucessful and meaningful capture. Personally, I wish we'd fund intelligence with much more financial and political backing rather than use brute military force, cuz information gathering is going to be more important than toppling governments in the long term. Its going to be an effective intelligence infrastructure that stops more terrorist acts, not capturing dictators who had nothing to do with the attack on our soil in the first place (a sentiment that Bush has backtracked from once proof began to disappear before his very eyes). One thing to note is that like any job, if you're over there fighting to protect anyone's rights, you shouldn't be asking for credit for the work you willingly took upon yourself. Indeed, I would imagine intelligence gathering is a thankless job in many ways, and for this I'm kinda sympathetic to hear both the public and its own administration placing blame on them after several attacks. But intelligence should also be strong enough to standup to the Bush administration and point out when their information is misused or misrepresented for the sake of political gain (which has been implied several times by all the intelligence agencies). Also, I think people who support this war often forget Americans can be patriotic and "fight" for what is good for the nation by not picking up a gun when they disagree with the direction their country is taking; its truly an American act to express their freedom and voice protest against government policies which they do not support. And many of us do not support this direction toward a church politcal state that is specifically against the doctrines of our constitution (which was created by Deists, not Christians). Its just baffling that some only believe in the with-us-or-against-us policy, because that sounds frighteningly much like a fascist or commie regime, and they won't realize the long term implications of shutting up the voice of dissent in a politcal climate which calls for input from all sides. Having the freedom to disagree and voice our opinion is the most valuable and amazing political right we're given by our constitution, and if that was truly threatened, I'd take up arms and fight for it. But I feel political protest can be as powerful, and maybe even more resounding than any shot fired.

Good luck and I hope you come home soon. I'd greet ya with an appreciative handshake :)

I think I need to clarify: I was criticizing the Bush administration's handling of intelligence; NOT the intelligence agencies or the people in the field. I have immense respect for anyone who is brave enough to work toward something bigger and more important than themselves, no matter how dangerous it may be.

What is fucked-up is the use of intelligence for skewed and warped political policies that put more US troops in the line of fire when we don't need to, and that the witch hunt had surprisingly come up with an obviously successful and meaningful capture.

Again, I think Gregory summed it up really well. I feel that the Bush administration simply decided to use intelligence only to support their theories and political agendas, and basically threw out a lot of relevant information and evidence because it didn't agree with those theories and political agendas. It makes me angry and sad to think that people lost their lives because of such deceit. You (and the people you work with every single day, not to mention the Iraqis you are helping) deserve to be fighting for a greater humanitarian good rather than a real-life game of war controlled by some very flawed people in power in the U.S.

I do hope more than anything that you are safe, and despite my criticisms of the President's politics, I have nothing but respect for you for offering help to people who haven't had a voice in a long time.

Love
Laura

Where in Brooklyn are you? Im originally from Sheepshead and still have a bit of family in Bay Ridge and Williamsburg?

I live in the "South Williamsburg"/Bushwick area. It's an ugly ugly place. Haha. I did live in Bay Ridge for a couple of months when I moved back here after college; I definitely miss the proximity to the good Century 21, but not the 1.5 hour train ride home from work!

Love
Laura

I wouldnt say ugly...Very Polish/Ukranian area if Im thinking of the right place. Probably get some great perogis!

I Take in your work in Manhattan? It always amazed me that it took longer to get into the City ffrom Brooklyn then from some part of eastern Long Island.

Ah, you're thinking of Greenpoint (where I used to live). Parts of it are cute, but it's one of the most polluted urban areas in the world! Heh.

Where I live is more ghetto-stylee. A mix of Hasidic Jews, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Chinese and pseudo-artsy (mostly) white kids. Nothing's open at night except for the emergency room at the psychiatric hospital. And the McDonald's drive-thru! Haha. But it takes me the same amt of time to get to work (40 min) as it did when I lived in Harlem.

Love
Laura

I've always suspected we'd catch Saddam one day because he's never struck me as a rebel-survivor-crafty-terrorist like Osama. He was a throwback dictator/world threat, and his days were numbered since he was never a guerrilla fighter. I'm glad we caught the man who did so much harm to his own people and others...I don't think anyone denies this is a good thing that the bastard will now likely be hammering rocks for the rest of his life. But to think Iraq is going to be a middle east state of democratic stability now he's captured? Man, Bush must have inhaled, snorted and then shot up before writing up that political plan. We only have to look as far back as Afghanistan to see a pattern. Look further and Iraq has the beginnings of a Vietnam on a smaller scale. Where did all those promises of rebuilding Afghanistan go once we shook out the Taliban? Why are we making so many enemies even amongst our own democratic nation allies? Why do people accept having our constitutional freedoms taken away under the guise of protecting ourselves? Sadly because most people would rather pretend the United States is inherently good in all of her actions, while anyone who opposes us is an enemy (even her own people). And now Bush points his projectile penile pointer of putrid police-state politics toward Syria while turning a cowardly shoulder away from democracy in Taiwan/China relations, alongside the constant threat of North Korea? It is no wonder the rest of the world questions our government's actions truly representing democracy.

Santa, I don't want anything for Christmas if I can have a new president in 2004. One without the lasers, evil eyes, and kung-fu grip please.

Word. You took the words/thoughts/opinions/feelings/fears out of my mouth and mind! Both of your statements include the thoughts that have been running through my mind for awhile, especially today! I am so convinced that Georgie W is going to win next year, and although I would love to vote Green and I voted Green last time, I think I need to vote to keep him from staying in office. I just have to figure out if any of the democrats impress me enough to betray my political views for one election.
I want to move to Europe-France or Amsterdam maybe. My friend has been trying to get me to move to Thailand...I just don't want to be in America anymore!

That's the sad thing...Bush is driving away the very type of Americans that would make this a better country: people who question and inform themselves. What he wants are ditto-heads who blindly follow soundbites and patriotic drivel that amounts to zilch in the real scheme of world politics.

But don't give up...we all need to get the word out for everyone who shares our dissatisfaction with our country's government to vote in 2004 (if you're planning to move, vote first, then move), and vote him the straight outta there! I want to be American. Proud of it. And even more proud if I can be part of the reason we get this warmonger outta office! Its a call to symbolic arms amigo.

I guess the only thing I can add is we supported Iraq all through the late 70's early 80's (reagan years) for it was the only country which wasnt a Islamic state. It will be interesting what kind of rule eventually falls over the land. I also found it interesting that the celebrations that they were showing on tv waving the red flag was of Iraqs communist party (they were waving hammer and sickles).

One more thing to add to the Christmas list!!!

hear, here! =P

you are so right.

i'm totally freaked out that bush might get re-elected and i don't even live in america. it's creepy even just being neighbours with that simpleton warmonger.

here effin here! i told my grandma to offer to drive democrat-voting seniors who couldn't drive to the polls. not sure if she'll do it though.