🚀 go-pugleaf

On 2007-06-30 15:02:08 -0400, leroyblue@pillinor.net said:

> On Fri, 29 Jun 2007 22:51:58 -0400, Slim <slim@pickins.com> wrote:
> 
>> How about Bush & Co lying to the world to start a war just for profits sake?
> 
> 
> You are confused. It hasn't happened.

Tell that to this brave soldier:

I am a soldier stationed in Iraq concerned about the role of private 
contractors in this war, and would like to ask for your help. How can 
you who are way over there help me way over here? Well, let me tell you 
how.
For those of you not aware, the US military is not the only US 
organization that is functioning over here in Iraq. A large US 
contractor called KBR (Kellog, Brown, and Root), a daughter company of 
Halliburton (once run by VP Dick Cheney), is operating on every US base 
in Iraq.
KBR manages many of the solider services that we have here on the base; 
things like running the food service, waste disposal, pumping the 
latrines, laundry services, movement and control, and the central 
distribution center. KBR is also scheduled to take over all fuel 
hauling and freight hauling in general. When things started to heat up 
earlier this year KBR put a hold on taking over hauling operations. Now 
that things are seeming to come back under some control KBR is looking 
at taking over again.
Now I know you are asking yourself what in the world this has to do with you.
Let me explain... KBR is now requesting, and the army is allowing, US 
soldiers to ride "shot gun" in KBR convoys hauling KBR goods all over 
Iraq. KBR is afraid to be out on the roads alone and want our US 
soldiers to risk their lives riding shot gun for their missions.
KBR is currently staffed by mainly non US international personnel along 
with a growing number of Iraqis. Most do not speak English, none have 
had military training on defensive driving, proper convoy operations, 
avoiding ambushes, navigating around IED's [hidden roadside bombs], 
proper procedure for calling in support or medivac or fire support, 
procedures to follow after taking enemy fire, the list goes on. These 
drivers are simply paid drivers that are making roughly 5 -8 times our 
wages and get paid whether the freight arrives or not.
KBR is requesting that US soldiers risk their lives at the hands of 
inexperienced and improperly trained individuals to provide them with 
security. Now there is no doubt that we need to protect KBR's missions 
but we have suggested and to date have been denied the opportunity to 
run the convoys with properly modified and equipped military vehicles.
We have suggested that we run in the convoys with every third vehicle 
being a US Army gun truck with proper drivers and fire support. With 
this arrangement KBR can still haul the freight in their vehicles but 
we would run the mission and deal with any situations as they develop 
the way we have been trained to. This is the only way that most of us 
want the missions to be run, the others are just afraid to be opposed 
to the decisions our leadership is making.
Here is where you come in. Out of a desire to honor the oath we took 
upon entering the army we do not want to disobey a direct order if and 
when the order comes for us to ride with KBR. We do however want to 
make all the lawmakers and politicians aware of the danger we are being 
unnecessarily exposed to on these missions.
Our hope is that each of our friends and loved ones back home will take 
a few minutes and send out emails to any local, state, and US 
congressman and senators and demand that they require the US military 
to stop this practice of allowing US troops in KBR vehicles.
The only ones who have the power to force the military to honor the 
wishes of the people are the lawmakers and politicians. So please take 
a moment and send a letter or email to one of your senators or 
congressman and ask or demand that they inquire into this matter and 
demand that it cease.
As of this writing, 3rd Platoon of the 283rd TC (my unit) is currently 
running these missions. We have been warned that it is only a matter of 
time and my whole unit will be running these missions. If nothing is 
done back home then more soldiers and myself in particular will be 
placed in unnecessary danger.
Please help.
Thank you for your time and help. I miss you all and look forward to 
seeing you all again upon my return.

**********
NOTE: For additional on the ground stories from American servicemen and 
women, please check out http://www.optruth.org/


-- 
"Naturally the common people don't want war: Neither in Russia, nor in 
England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after 
all, IT IS THE LEADERS of the country who determine the policy and it 
is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a 
democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist 
dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to 
the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is TELL 
THEM THEY ARE BEING ATTACKED, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of 
patriotism and exposing the country to danger. IT WORKS THE SAME IN ANY 
COUNTRY."
�
--Goering at the Nuremberg Trials