New road built for base access. The construction is pretty low quality, but it sure looks good.
What do you do when the Americans pay to have your dirt road rebuilt and black topped? Why, hell, you cover it with dirt to protect it!
The view from one of the guard towers...I've been telling them for months they need to cut the trees.
They decided to listen 2 days before elections.
Farming technique. They completely clear the fields and then let the sheep graze for a few hours to get all the scrap grass.
Full week. It wasn’t a long one because I was busy the whole time. I find that staying busy is the key to success during these long times away from home. Additionally, keeping a routine helps the days pass seamlessly. For the past month, my focus has been on election security for my FOB and mentoring the ANA security company. Election day came and went just like any other day for us. Others were not so lucky. I tracked fighting all over the country yesterday. Many FOBs filled with “regular guys” just like me were mortared throughout the day and night. The enemy used intimidation tactics on the public, but for the most part, the polls were not attacked significantly in our area. At the time of this posting, I don’t know of any significant attacks in the country that disrupted the overall election process.
A few notes/quotes on the election from some of the people I talk to daily:
1. “If it came down to one or two votes, I’d vote for the other guy, but I will vote for Karzai b/c he will win.”
2. “I will vote for Karzai b/c he is known.”
3. “I will vote for Karzai b/c he will win.”
It seems that Karzai will get re-elected b/c of the Afghan attitude that picking someone else is like admitting you were wrong 4yrs ago. They want to vote for the winner b/c they want to be right. Some view themselves as no worse than 4 years ago, so electing someone else is seen as a grave risk.
The contractors that are doing construction on the FOB were not allowed on from the 18th through the 21st, so it has been peaceful and quiet around here without the constant rumble of cement mixers and power tools. That will all change again tomorrow, but for now, the silence is nice.
Finished another book this week. This one was a non-fiction look into the Army’s elite Delta Force. Pretty good book about how the counter terrorist tactics of today were dreamed up over the last 30yrs in the minds of some of the fiercest fighting men to ever wear the uniform. It also sheds light on the fact that America is at war constantly. Whether it is 150,000 in Iraq, 60,000 in Afghanistan, or 3 men in a country that most people don’t know we have issues with, American service men are out there killin’ people that need killin’. Still, the politicians and career minded brass tie the hands of our fighting men; thus, terrorism shows up on our door step from time to time.
A few notes/quotes on the election from some of the people I talk to daily:
1. “If it came down to one or two votes, I’d vote for the other guy, but I will vote for Karzai b/c he will win.”
2. “I will vote for Karzai b/c he is known.”
3. “I will vote for Karzai b/c he will win.”
It seems that Karzai will get re-elected b/c of the Afghan attitude that picking someone else is like admitting you were wrong 4yrs ago. They want to vote for the winner b/c they want to be right. Some view themselves as no worse than 4 years ago, so electing someone else is seen as a grave risk.
The contractors that are doing construction on the FOB were not allowed on from the 18th through the 21st, so it has been peaceful and quiet around here without the constant rumble of cement mixers and power tools. That will all change again tomorrow, but for now, the silence is nice.
Finished another book this week. This one was a non-fiction look into the Army’s elite Delta Force. Pretty good book about how the counter terrorist tactics of today were dreamed up over the last 30yrs in the minds of some of the fiercest fighting men to ever wear the uniform. It also sheds light on the fact that America is at war constantly. Whether it is 150,000 in Iraq, 60,000 in Afghanistan, or 3 men in a country that most people don’t know we have issues with, American service men are out there killin’ people that need killin’. Still, the politicians and career minded brass tie the hands of our fighting men; thus, terrorism shows up on our door step from time to time.
Note regarding previous post on Muslims imposing their way of life on others:
This rule was later repealed because it is stupid.
Last entry before I come home for leave. I start my travels next Thursday and should be home around the 1st.
Looking forward to spending some time at home.
Have a good one. God Bless.
BMP
Looking forward to spending some time at home.
Have a good one. God Bless.
BMP
The way of thinking you've observed continues to both sadden and baffle me. I can only imagine how frustrating these things are for you. This time I'm talking about the mindset in regards to voting. Initially, it seems like these people don't actually grasp the idea of the voting process: votes cast will be tallied and the winner assumes the position. They seem to think that it's like a gameshow where they are supposed to predict the popularity of the canidates. Really, though, I think they must understand the basics of voting mechanics. I think there is a deeper difference between our way of thinking and theirs. Just as they have not developed a sense of individualism, work ethic or personal accomplishment, they also don't have a concept of their personal responsibility in a democratic system.
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