Good News From Iraq/Afghanistan Thread

[jonesbeach10]

Another good site from people who have actually been there or are presently there.

Iraq Veterans Against the War


http://www.ivaw.net/

You know I really don't know whose side of the war you are on or who you hope that wins.....

It certainly does not sound like you want our troops to win or to be successful in any mission completes. However that is your decision to make and to decide who you are pulling for to win.
As I said before if we want bad news ll we have to do is turn on the tube and listen to the Mainstream Media....now we have you. You do an AWESOME job of delivering the bad news and negativity about our troops and the war.

Glad to see just WHO you support on and the War on Terror as you do.
Perhaps you would be interested starting another thread about what such screw ups our troops are and how we are losing it?

No doubt you can easily enough find negativr informaion about our troops.
Just turn on your TV.......meanwhile maybe I should email your comments to my bros who are over there ...I am quite sure they would have some choice words for you...or better yet their wives and families, no doubt they would have some choicier words for you.

I won't do such, but perhaps you should think about the difference between GOOD NEWS and what it means and Trying to destroy the morale of those that are there and the families that support them.

Thank you for your nice post.

Blah.......Blah.... Blah

Here's another nice site from another group of fine Americans. Veterans.

http://www.vaiw.org/vet/index.php

Dude, I don't like the morals and ideas behind the war like many others, but I still hope and pray for our troops success and safety. This is a thread that was created to report actual good news and progress that is being done in Iraq, something we don't see nearly as much as we should in the media, and I thank Sam for creating this thread. I'm sure many others would agree, but I don't want to see negativity about the war in this thread, so if you don't have anything nice to say, DON'T POST IT!!!

[PHAW Webmistress]

Here some good news about what some of our troops are doing in Afghanistan:

I would like to also thank you for all the Easter boxes that were sent over the past few weeks. I know the soldiers appreciate getting those kinds of snacks to take with them out on the road and the Afghani children enjoy them even more. Speaking of the Afghani children, this place is pretty bad as far as the quality of life for the locals. If any of you have any items that you think the children over here could use you can send it to me and I will make sure it’s passed out to these kids. It’s very heartbreaking to see these children over here; they run around with literally nothing on, completely naked! Some of then chase our vehicles begging for food or water, we give them what we can and continue to move. Anyway, if you have anything laying around the house,,, clothes,, shoes,, send it to me and I’ll pass it out.

[Sam]

THxz PHAW.


HEADS UP Just found there is a show on now SHOWTIME -E Called PATRIOT ACT: JEFFEREY ROSS HOME MOVIE It will be on again on SHOWTIME -W.

It is different comedians in Iraq including Drew Carrey and others svsiting our troops. I am going to try and tape it when it comes on later tonight. I did not know it was on.
I hope a few others get to watch it and tape it as well.

Has been footage of the troops and with a few Iraqis so far.

Okies it is over,it is well worth watching.Lot of footage with various troops and some footage was donated from several troops. It was filmed before Saddam was caught. There is a very touching scene in there where a soldier had organized and got a bunch of school supplies and the soldiers go to the school and give the supplies to the classroom. Some kids are happy, some kids are scared,some kids are.well just being kids.

I hope at least some get to see it. I missed the first 20 mins or so but will tape it when it comes on again at 11:00 PM tonight.
It was actually filmed a while back but still well worth watching.

[Sam]

This is an interesting blog site with lots of various documented info not only about Afghanistan and Iraq but elsewhere, You will find links documenting the GOOD news items mentioned within the blog.

http://windsofchange.net/archives/00742 ... nstruction

Note I am using some pages that are several months old in order to show that GOOD NEWS has been going on that we seldom if ever hear about it.

Here is one such article ( All due credit is given to the original author/reporter and to the paper and appropriate sources)

http://www.darnews.com/articles/2005/08 ... news17.txt

Poplar Bluff, Missouri

DAILY AMERICAN REPUBLIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Rebuilding Iraq: P.B native is leaving constructive mark on war-torn country

By BRANDY DONALDSON ~ Staff Writer
Maj. Joe Leahy is not a typical soldier. He's leaving his mark on the battle fields of Iraq, just not in combat.

"I'll be able to look back and say I did something good to help shape what's going to happen in the world," said the 40-year-old Poplar Bluff native.

Leahy is a civil engineer for the design management section of the 20th Engineer Brigade of the Army National Guard, and has been stationed at Camp Victory, outside of Baghdad, since November 2004.

Leahy is among the many task forces that are rebuilding post-war Iraq. In 2003 the federal government allocated 18.4 billion dollars to reconstruct the Mideastern nation.

Leahy's entire section is made up of reservists from the Missouri National Guard because of their construction background. He has been a part of the Corps of Engineers for more than 13 years.

His brigade is primarily progressing building projects that were started by the Iraqi government and rebuilding roads "to keep traffic moving on military work," he said.

They are also building bridges, more humane detainee facilities, and safer base camps.

"Now the bases are a little more comfortable. When you're away from home, the best thing to do is try to make (base camp) a better place," he said.

Attempting to rebuild Iraq has been no small venture for the military. There are hundreds of soldiers involved in the efforts in addition to thousands of Iraqis and independent contractors.

"It is a daunting task. We're rebuilding an entire country that is the equivalent to what the United States was in the 30s. It's equivalent to the New Deal construction," Leahy said.

The New Deal was President Franklin Roosevelt's series of programs and policies designed to rebuild the United States economically and socially after the Great Depression of the late 20s, early 30s. That strategy shares similarities with what President Bush has planed for Iraq.

Leahy is not alone in making such a comparison. Analysts and journalists have likened the two presidents and their policies for years. There is, however, a vivid difference between New Deal, America and post-war, Iraq-- the military occupation.

Several hundred soldiers have died in Iraq since Bush declared the war over in 2003, and thousands more are still fighting. Yet the work of Leahy's brigade has not diminished.

"In this type of environment you have to have the direct military action going on, and you have to have the community rebuilding (work) going on. None of those would succeed by themselves," Leahy said.

"Combat is important because there are people out there who want to fight, and they want to destroy everything that is useful. That's why the police action has got to be involved... By bringing in the reserves and the National Guard like we've done, we get the policemen. So there's a good mix that's helping keep the situation under control."

"It's an interesting combination of both the skills that I've been taught," he added.

Leahy has measured the success of the Mideastern occupation by his own observations.

"When I first got there the area around my base was pretty dark, because some of the city comes up pretty close to that area," he said. "But before I left I started noticing that the lights are on a lot longer and they are a lot brighter, and that only happens if people are feeling more secure when they're out at night. So something must be going right."

Leahy does however miss many of the amenities of home that most take for granted.

"I miss going to a grocery store and getting anything you want... and going to Wal-Mart," he said.

His support system has made it all easier to bear.

"I really do appreciate how fortunate I am that the community I'm from has been really supportive... My employer has been unbelievable. He's already telling me what I'm going to be doing when I get back," Leahy said with a smile.

"Without that sense of support, it would make my job a lot more difficult. So I've been extremely lucky," he added.

Leahy studied engineering at Iowa State University on an Army scholarship. He entered the Army Reserves after years of active duty. He served in the Gulf War in the early 90s.

Leahy is expecting to be home for good by Thanksgiving. But in the meantime, he will continue in the work that he says is "getting better everyday."

"We all know it's a dangerous place. But the thing that I want people to understand is that they only see those one or two instances in the country that are negative. You don't really hear about the 100 things that have gone good," he said.

"One thing we've got to understand is that it's not going to happen tomorrow, but we are doing something that's getting better everyday."

[prrthd1987]

Thanks for posting this thread, Sam

[Sam]

Thanks for posting this thread, Sam

Most welcome. I do regret the need for such a thread to be needed though.
Perhaps if more people are aware of what is really going some perceptions just might change and help bring about an earlier and positive end to the "bad things"taking place "over there" or at least helping fuel the morale of the bad guys and helping destroy the morale of the good guys and cause pain and worry to their families and loved ones.

Here are a few more links....

A lengthy article from The Tamba Tribune with some photographs. The article has some good news items mentioned, however it, provides some further insight into the media and the reporting of the news.
http://tampatrib.com/opinion/MGBQKJP0MCE.html
*************************************************************
Another very good blog site.
http://goodnewsfromthefront.com/

The hyperlinks did not carry over from the page. You will find Good News From Aghanistan and Good News From Iraq
ALL credit is given to the originator of the blog and to all that work and contribute to it.

The Two main links you will find are.
1. Dedicated to Good News from Iraq.
http://goodnewsfromthefront.com/archives/iraq/index.php

2. Dedicated to Good News from Afghanistan.
http://goodnewsfromthefront.com/archive ... /index.php

You will find links to numerous articles and various updates as well.

From the blog

We're glad you could make it here to our blog. Our mission revolves around our Good News from Iraq and Good News from Afghanistan briefings, which cover the extensive and courageous efforts underway by Afghans, Iraqis and their foreign allies to create a better future for themselves - and for us all.

The links above will take you to all of our compiled Iraq & Afghanistan briefings. These days, we run a lot of standalone posts, and you can see them among the "Recent Entries" listing in the right sidebar. Note that some authors may elect to turn off comments for their posts, in order to avoid having to deal with incoming spam. If comments don't display, that's usually the reason.

Story tips can be sent to goodnewsiraq or goodnewsafghanistan over @windsofchange.net - or left in the comments sections. Or if you're really interested, join the team!

[prrthd1987]

Thanks for posting this thread, Sam

Most welcome. I do regret the need for such a thread to be needed though.
Perhaps if more people are aware of what is really going some perceptions just might change and help bring about an earlier and positive end to the "bad things"taking place "over there" or at least helping fuel the morale of the bad guys and helping destroy the morale of the good guys and cause pain and worry to their families and loved ones.

It really is too bad that everybody has to be so sour about it all the time. People really need to support our troops, even if they don't support the war or the reasons why US forces are there.

Happy Memorial Day, and thanks to everyone who has served/is serving in our Armed Forces.

[center][/center]

[Sam]

One thing I don't understand...is how people cannot support the war but support our troops when ours troops have one major objective......that is to win and successful mission complete, and to stay alive and healthy. To come home safe.

If you support our troops, to me means, then you want them to successfully do and to complete their job and missions, and come home safe.

What is so wrong with their objectives and goals? Is better asked elsewhere and not handled in this thread. But how can one support our troops and not want them to succeed and to win, or accomplish their goals/missions and deny them victory, and be against their goals and what they are doing and still support them?

[jonesbeach10]

One thing I don't understand...is how people cannot support the war but support our troops when ours troops have one major objective......that is to win and successful mission complete, and to stay alive and healthy. To come home safe.

If you support our troops, to me means, then you want them to successfully do and to complete their job and missions, and come home safe.

What is so wrong with their objectives and goals? Is better asked elsewhere and not handled in this thread. But how can one support our troops and not want them to succeed and to win, or accomplish their goals/missions and deny them victory, and be against their goals and what they are doing and still support them?

I'm not sure if this answers your question but I'll try.
I do not by any means like the well-documented reasons (ie no WMDs for one) as to why we invaded Iraq to begin with. But now we're there and it seems that their mission now that Saddam's regime was toppled is to set up a stable democratic government. Unfortunately, if we leave now or in the near future, Iraq would be in shambles and a hotbed for terrorism. I hope that our troops are successful in establishing a stable, democratic government in Iraq, and I hope and pray even more so for our troops safety.

[Sam]

One thing I don't understand...is how people cannot support the war but support our troops when ours troops have one major objective......that is to win and successful mission complete, and to stay alive and healthy. To come home safe.

If you support our troops, to me means, then you want them to successfully do and to complete their job and missions, and come home safe.

What is so wrong with their objectives and goals? Is better asked elsewhere and not handled in this thread. But how can one support our troops and not want them to succeed and to win, or accomplish their goals/missions and deny them victory, and be against their goals and what they are doing and still support them?

I'm not sure if this answers your question but I'll try.
I do not by any means like the well-documented reasons (ie no WMDs for one) as to why we invaded Iraq to begin with. But now we're there and it seems that their mission now that Saddam's regime was toppled is to set up a stable democratic government. Unfortunately, if we leave now or in the near future, Iraq would be in shambles and a hotbed for terrorism. I hope that our troops are successful in establishing a stable, democratic government in Iraq, and I hope and pray even more so for our troops safety.

I thank you for your honesty, and for trying to answer, but no it really doesn't answer the question for me.
Iraq being a hotbed for terrorism, is another way of saying fight them there or fight them here.

Yes a free and stable democratic goverment will do more to stqabilize the region than anything else that has been done in the history of the region.
However there are many terrorists in other countries. A success for the US and Coalition Forces will no doubt cause many of those terrorists to rethink what they have been told/taught.

We are playing for the endgame and the win here. Not playing, or giving up, are not real options. This is for keeps. May God have Mercy on the World if we were to lose and the terrorists to win.

[PHAW Webmistress]

http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/m ... 06ms2.html

This is an article about my keets former unit that is now in afghanistan.

[flyboy55]

Since troops are still deployed in Iraq, I think it's important that we continue to keep their sacrifice uppermost in our minds.

In that vein, anybody got any updates?

[Elrod]

Yes.

Marines thwart insurgents’ attempt to destroy new Iraqi school for girls

KARABILAH, Iraq (July 7, 2006) -- Thanks to the work of Marines and Iraqi Security Forces, 800 elementary-aged girls will now have a school to attend this fall.

Marines from 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment unveiled a brand-new grade school in this city of about 30,000 on the Iraq-Syria border in western Al Anbar Province July 7.

About one week before its opening, insurgents planted an improvised explosive device inside the school which would have leveled a good portion of the building, destroying nearly three months of work by Marines and locals...

[balcony girls]

Since troops are still deployed in Iraq, I think it's important that we continue to keep their sacrifice uppermost in our minds.

In that vein, anybody got any updates?

. .sorry . .don't have any personal updates. . .

. .but I would like to offer this thread for how we can still all help with the support of our Troops. . .

. . the BuffettFest 2006 is a great effort of many ParrotHeads to send items that would help in putting on a Tropical/Jimmy themed party for the Troops . .

. .I'll find the URL link and post it asap . .