Letter of Apology...... yeah right!

Hi all. I have something here that I think is worth passing on. My friend Ed sent this to me (thanks Ed) and it touch my mind and heart. Want to say hi to Rob in Boston. That cold beer sounds good.

Letter Of Apology
Author unknown - sentiment shared.

For good and ill, the Iraqi prisoner abuse mess will remain an issue. On the one hand, right thinking Americans will abhor the stupidity of the actions while on the other hand, political glee will take control and fashion this minor event into some modern day My Lai massacre.

I heard some Arabs are asking for an apology. I humbly offer mine here:
I am sorry that the last seven times we Americans took up arms and sacrificed the blood of our youth, it was in the defense of Muslims (Bosnia, Kosovo, Gulf War 1, Kuwait, etc.).
I am sorry that no such call for an apology upon the extremists came after 9/11.
I am sorry that all of the murderers on 9/11 were Arabs.
I am sorry that Arabs have to live in squalor under savage dictatorships. I am sorry that their leaders squander their wealth.
I am sorry that their governments breed hate for the US in their religious schools.
I am sorry that Yassir Arafat was kicked out of every Arab country and hijacked the Palestinian "cause."
I am sorry that no other Arab country will take in or offer more than a token amount of financial help to those same Palestinians.
I am sorry that the USA has to step in and be the biggest financial supporter of poverty stricken Arabs while the insanely wealthy Arabs blame the USA.
I am sorry that our own left wing elite and our media can't understand any of this.
I am sorry the United Nations scammed the poor people of Iraq out of the "food for oil" money so they could get rich while the common folk suffered.
I am sorry that some Arab governments pay the families of homicide bombers upon their death.
I am sorry that those same bombers are seeking 72 virgins. I can't seem to find one here on Earth.
I am sorry that the homicide bombers think babies are a legitimate target.
I am sorry that our troops died to free more Arabs.
I am sorry they show so much restraint when their brothers in arms are killed. I am sorry that Muslim extremists have killed more Arabs than any other group.
I am sorry that foreign trained terrorists are trying to seize control of Iraq and return it to a terrorist state.
I am sorry we don't drop a few dozen "Daisy Cutters" on Fallujah. (Note: a "Daisy Cutter" is a 10,000 lb bomb, used to clear helicopter landing zones)
I am sorry every time terrorists hide they find a convenient "Holy Site".
I am sorry they didn't apologize for driving a jet into the World Trade Center that collapsed and severely damaged Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - one of our Holy Sites.
I am sorry they didn't apologize for flight 93 and 175, the USS Cole, the embassy bombings, etc.
I am sorry Michael Moore is American; he could feed a medium sized village in Africa.
I am sorry the French are french?
America will get past this latest absurdity. We will punish those responsible because that is what we do. We hang out our dirty laundry for all the world to see. We move on. That's one of the reasons we are hated so much. We don't hide this stuff like all those Arab countries that are now demanding an apology.
Deep down inside, when most Americans saw this reported in the news, we were like - so what? We lost hundreds and made fun of a few prisoners. Sure, it was wrong, sure, it dramatically hurts our cause, but until captured we were trying to kill these same prisoners. Now we're supposed to wring our hands because a few were humiliated? Our compassion is tempered with the vivid memories of our own people killed, mutilated and burnt amongst a joyous crowd of celebrating Fallujans.

If you want an apology from this American, you're going to have a long wait. You have a better chance of finding those 72 virgins.

You know I'm low on photos if I put one of me on the BLOG.

Me, taken on the 2nd day in Iraq.


We had two bands come to our camp earlier this month. No one famous but some pretty good talent just the same. The camp had made a stage for them by putting together two flatbed trailers. (Obviously, this was going to be an outside concert.) One band with singer played top 40 stuff and the other band played jazz. I love jazz. The last time and only time I had been at a concert happen to be an outside court in Hawaii. My daughter Natalie and I live there 1986-1989. Great experience. A girl I dated at the time wanted to go see Kenny G. When she asked me I said, "Kenny who?". Yea, ok.... you may know who he is NOW but back then, he was just getting started popular. He did bbcame quite popular appearing in lots of things in the early 90's. Now though, ask anyone who Kenny G is and you'll propably get the same answer I gave back in 1988. To get back to my story. We went to the outside theater in Wikiki called "The Shell". Layed on blankets on the hill slope under the night sky. Kenny G would walk among the audience playing the saxophone during some of his songs. I really enjoyed it.

Maybe we will get more bands here. Hmmmmmmmmm Last week an Iraqi man brought a camel to the camp. No, he didn't just ride in. He was sponsered by MWR. The event was for rides and photos. I missed it. Some real excitement around here and I am sleeping in from a 12 hour mid watch. Boy did I miss a good camera op.

Iraq - Very Interesting - Did you know?

You know for a country that had so much greatness in the beginning..... you wonder (at least I do) how did it became the "arm pit " of the world. I think I have the answer. .. War. Not just any kind but the ones fought for religious reasons. Now we are in Iraq have'n removed Saddam Hussein, trying to "give back" the country to it's people so they can have self rule, freedom and peace. Young Americans, as well as others, are dying for this cause. I think the Iraqi people are unable to live in a democracy and can only be controlled by a dictator like Hussein. I hope history will prove me wrong.

My long time best friend, Ed Langmead, sent me this bit of interesting trivia below. Thanks Ed.

"IRAQ - VERY INTERESTING - DID YOU KNOW?

1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.

2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq.

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.

9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.

10. Amos cried out in Iraq!

11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the fiery furnace!)

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.

17. The wise men were from Iraq.

18. Peter preached in Iraq.

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon,which was a city in Iraq!

And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq!
However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.
Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.
No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated it than Iraq.

And also... This is something to think about! Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages...
The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible) Koran (9:11) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah; and there was peace.

(Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?! God Bless you all, Amen ! "

Anyone seen my camel?

They do have camels in Iraq!


Nearly missed this shot of my first sighting of a camel here in Iraq. I saw him or her on my last trip back from Camp Adder. (As everyone should know by now, traveling between the two camps of Cedar and Adder is my only real form of entertainment around here.) Other then in a zoo, I had seen camels before back in 1985. While still in the Navy, my ship, Guided missile frigate USS Boone FFG-28, made a couple of port calls in Egypt. I had gone ashore on a sightseeing tour, I forget where now, and the bus had stopped at a roadside cafe for our lunch. Across from the cafe I spotted a white Toyota pickup truck with two camels kneeling side by side in the bed. That's the truth. That was quite a sight to see.

On the 5th of Sept I completed 2 months of my 12 month contract. Yea! Only 10 more months to go. Some of the guys here are a few months away from completing their 12 month contract. The company is offering a raise of $1.25 to their base salary. That just doesn't really say to me, "We want you to stay on." I'd like to see a higher $$$$ incentive to stay. I still have 10 months to go so, I have no idea right now what I'll decide to do when the time comes.

Something to do at the Camp.

MWR (Moral, Welfare & Recreation) tent at Camp Cedar II


KBR (Kellogg, Brown & Root) a branch or subsidiary company of Halliburton are providing outstanding services here at Camp Cedar II. Yea I know, you mention the word Halliburton and stand back. You'll hear nothing good about them like; they got the contract in Iraq without putting in a bid; Vice-Pres Chaney, once it's CEO, got them the contract and Halliburton (and Chaney) are making multi-million profits off the contract which they don't deserve. This is all probably true but I can say one thing..... they are providing top notch service for the people here at Camp Cedar. They operate the dining facility, laundry, MWR, barber shop, water supply, electrical power, air conditioning, showers and toilets. I'm sure they supply many other services like the fuel depot and truck drivers we have here. I'll get off my soap box now.

The Ur from my last trip to Camp Adder 8/30/04

The Ur, 2300B.C.


The area around here in Southern Iraq is rich with ancient history. The Ur built approx. 2300B.C. lays right outside Camp Adder. The area is the considered the birth place of Abraham as well as where the "Garden of Eden" was located. The chaplain at Camp Cedar II arranges trips to the Ur every other Saturday. Tours inside is given by a local Iraqi. Some of the Army guys who I work with have been. They all have said it's a must see. I plan to go real soon.

A new day at Camp Cedar II

My place of work at sunrise.


From my tent, I go one direction to go to work and in the opposite direction are the AT&T call center, barber shop, MWR (library, weight room, TV & movie rooms and internet access), PX (store), Chapel, laundry and chow hall. An easy walk to everything.