My Buddy just got back from Baghdad.

[Smoothie104]

He's a Dyncorp Avionics tech, he says "things are a lot more ****ed up over there than you know"

[Kitsune]

Elaborate please.

[FallenAngel]

what? The McDonald's drive through isn't open 24/7? :D :lol:

[Trident-za]

Wouldn't suprise me at all...

[Argyll]

What's that Trident the MacDonalds,or the fact that perhaps a lot of whats been said in these forums has a certain ring of truth about them> ;)

[Trident-za]

What's that Trident the MacDonalds,or the fact that perhaps a lot of whats been said in these forums has a certain ring of truth about them> ;)

:lol: The MacDonalds post wasnt there when I posted intitially :) So, I guess it was be the ring of truth bit - GONG

[Argyll]

"Fire Crews standby"!!

[Trigger]

"Fire Crews standby"!!
C'mon guys, there's a difference between 'flames' and open debate or disagreement.

[warchild1/27scout]

that's a bunch of bull. the day the u.s. took baghdad they had pictures of iraqis throwin horseshoes and drinkin bud. i saw another picture of every saddam fedyeen standing in line to get a number stamped on thier forehead so the american forces can spot them. and i wont mention the rolls royce nascar races. the dallas texas of the middle east. FREAKIN AMERICANA! woot

[FallenAngel]

hey, warchild, check out THIS Americana :D

http://i.xanga.com/AngelicDeath/harville2.jpg

[Argyll]

See it's started already!!
It's funny,how when people posted their opinions on what was going on,they were dismissed without,and not providing evidence and how all it was was hearsay,which of course it was,how anything negative was being banded "Anti American".Yet here's a guy who's been there,who tells a different story to the one everybody hoped was more realistic,and we would like to hear it from the GI's point of view,instaed of being slammed ,and flamed!!,for having "negative" comments!!

[Ratamacue]

It would be nice if he would give some details rather than just "oh yeah, things are fvcked up over there."

[ibstolidude]

Why is your opinion acceptable and feasable and his isn't??

Im afraid I don't understand that one dude comming on here and stating that his BUDDY from a CONTRACTOR mechanic that works for the military contractors says, "things are a lot more f*** up over there than you know" means you opinion is GRand and that Warchild's (or whomever elses) is not valid?

I'm still at a lose. In every areana except this one, theories have to be proven TRUE before they are considered valid; not my theory is the way it is, unless you prove it wrong.

And if it just your opinion then so be it, noone needs to prove anything, even if their opinion disagrees with yours.

[Argyll]

c'mon Stoli,this is just the same crap ,coming from the same guys all the time,who all say it's always complete bollocks,every time someone posts some kind of negativity,whether there be some element of truth behind it or not,Jesus H Christ not every thing goes to plan,and there are bound to be setbacks,and sometimes the **** does hit the fan,and there are a lot of times where the top brass either put a lid on it ,or flatly deny anything is wrong altogher,you're the one who keeps on going on about having proof,or facts,it's not always about Black and white ,and not everything you see or hear is the truth!!Hell the Bible is full of porkers!!
Lets wait and see what this guy,whatever he is,he still talks to GI's and they talk to him,says about it all,I couldn't give a toss if folks don't like my opinions,they're mine,and I'm entitled to them as are you,and Warchild's too......but........c'mon man even today the white house admitted that the Information and intel about Uranium for Iraq via Africa was not accurate,so what other cack has your government been feeding you?Here TB is on shakyground,public opinion is waning fast ,because they no longer believe that Saddam was such an Immediate threat to the world than what GB and TB claimed he was!!
It would've been a whole lot more acceptable to the public,if the main reason for the war was an out and out Regime change,no mentioning of WMD,or their readiness to use them,and to depose Hussein.

[ESCOBAR]

PPL from the 3rd ID r coming back too...............alsO

[ibstolidude]

Now you are being ingnorant and trying to start arguments.
His opinion can be counter yours..that is why it is an opinion.

news flash
ALL GOVERNMENTS HAVE THEIR AGENDA... NO matter where, who or when - to promote their cause. I NEVER buy what any government is selling - nice assumptionn on your part again.

ALL MEDIA HAVE AN AGENDA.. No matter where, who , when - to sell their news.

Do you not understand that my beef with your opinions is not the fact that they are counter to showing success in the Iraq BUT because it stems from the media! I have said nothing about this Contractor's opinion except that suddenly your commented that here come the people to shoot it down. He has said nothing so far about anything. If you would ever stop seeking opportunities to argue against everyone you view as counter to your casue you might realize that I will call the BS alarm on anyone that uses their opinion and conjecture as fact (or basis of fact). I no more think that 2 photos of Iraqi's hold "We love America We love Bushh" means things are great there and "ohh they all love us . we nobely freed the IRaqi people they love US" than I think a mortar attacks means "ohhhh dear god, there allll going to diiiieee! ahgahaaahh it is vietnam part 2".

And guess what it is a war - WAR is always ****ed up...if it wasn't it would be easy. No soldier ever say, "well it wasn;t so bad, I had all the equip I needed, the food I wanted amd my HQ's was the best ever. All their ideas were in perfect synch with the ground situation." When the hell has that happened?

I too have conversations almost every week via SAT phone with people there, dudes that are family to me, that are the godfather of my kid, I was in another dudes wedding.. I put my stock in what they tell me...certainly there are problems, and a bunch of troops that are sucking up the **** storm about the "police style" duty they do.. I have NEVER argued against things being bad or getting worse.
I argue comments based on **** like - "This is first time mortars have been used against the Coalition things are getting sooo bad." - well that wasn't true.
I argue against - " the US army is only allowed to carry 2 magazines" that isn't true either - maybe some units hard up ignorant ass company commander told his postal unit something along those lines.
I argue against those opinions pawned off as facts that are based upon conjecture (like a court of law) - well I read, or I assumed - carries little weight as fact. I have been there and come home to read what was reported about it... I buy little of it.

Opinions are fine - but too often here people pawn them off as facts. Well I'll no more eat GB's **** as I will anyone elses. - By the way rather than try and rant back a flame - take a moment and try and find were I post my position on the situation in Iraq developments. You are so quick to argue that you argue to mw that wich does not apply i.e. reasons for the war etc.. my beef lies no where near that

[Trident-za]

Good post, good points Stoli... although I understand where Argyll is coming from too :)

The comment on the mortars was aimed at me, since I made that comment (well, not in the words you used, but ...). I based that thing about the first time mortars being used on the media quotation from a US Army officer . My mistake, of course.... but I believed it because the US military said so (or rather, was reported to say so). Again, my mistake.

This point is not meant to negate your argument, just explaining where I was coming in my "mortars" post :)

[Argyll]

Ok Stoli I can go with what a lot of info is gleamed from the media point,but also from just observing,certain video clips etc also gives off impressions,Soldiers poise ,attitutde to local and vice versa,body language,tensions etc!!I don't read much broadsheets,but there are other sources out there,the point I guess I'm making is that it was perfectly reasonable to accept what the embeds were reporting during the ground war and what they were saying,but now the embeds are gone,the same networks are reporting a different tune,but that's dismissed without the proof!!Kinda double standards don't you think!!
Nobody is trying to start an argument,that is your ASSUMPTION(read your own post relating to that word!!)
Who mention Governments agenda's........I didn't if you were in the UK and listen to the news about what's going on here ,then you'll find it is no assumption it is FACT!!!!!
Media works 2 ways!!
Forming an opinion,as you have done about my opinions,saying that they all come from the media..........sorry pal,that's an ASSUMPTION.Your beef is you just do not like anyone slagging off whether it be the truth or hearsay,the US Military Forces!!Period!!
The fact that you commented on my saying "stand by fire crews" proves a point,It was not me who said this is freakin Bull!!Over all these posts some folks like me say black,and some say white,and if some agreethen its fair to say some will not!It is always the same who do both!!
I commented that here was a guy,his job is irrelevant,who was in Baghdad,and he has his views,it was you who put in bold that he was a contractor,so what !if he was cleaning shi* houses for a job,he was there and if he says things are fuc*ked up over there,why criticise him,I didn't,I said lets wait and see what the guy says 1st before passing comment,I'm not religious in any shape or form,but try this "Judge ye not,for thout shall not be judged!!"The very essence of that line is about opinions !
I agree about the media,and spin put on it,but can you tell me the difference between CNN/NBC/SKY reporting and what CENTCOM report,why is it okay for a 2-4 star General to say something ,but when it's a bogstandard reporter his credability is challenged?

[Trident-za]

On the subject of how well/badly things are going, I came across this article. I don't know how true it is, and when I saw the website I was inclined to treat it with 5 barrels of salt, but here goes:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0707/p02s01-woiq.html

[Smoothie104]

They've been staying in a hangar at one of the military airbases. No Running water, MRE's the only food, Crapping in buckets etc... Firefights every night around their compound. One night there were para-flares going up for several hours, the next morning they were informed that the flares weren't coalition flares, but Iraqi, seems they were probing their defenses. Nice place to work for a non-combatant. He is ex 160th, so he's used to it, but a most of the non-veteran employees quit.

[Trident-za]

Thanks smoothie for supplying a few details...

[Smoothie104]

No worries, I'd post more, but I have to decide what is within limits re: operational security. If you guys have any questions of a non-OPSEC nature, I will pass them on to him.

[Kitsune]

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/featuregen.asp?pid=1696

Quite entertaining. Get some !!!

[Seraphim]

Hey thanks for the update...someone posted this earlier but I forgot all about the part 3.

[Seraphim]

Hey, did Trombley in the movie Black Hawk Down also have a SAW? If so...what a coincidence.

[Duke]

Rat very clever with the V inplace of the U, habeas latina lingua.

[Chops]

Did i miss something in the last month or so? Kiddies worried about opsec? Looking at some of the other threads too, it appears that the inmates have taken over the asylum. WTF?

rgds

You know who...

[hood]

:) smoothie, now you just have to get him to send in some photos for the user submitted section. :)

[Smoothie104]

He has some, I am waiting to get them via email.

And Chops, this kiddie is 32 years young :D

[ABNINF]

I think the media should not be on the battlefield, but if they are going to be, I'd rather them be under the control of the military, for OPSEC purposes.

[Chops]

Hey no offense Mr Smooth. You're still a young fella :lol:

rgds

Grandaddy Chop Chop

[martinexsquaddie]

A French court has just ordered British airways to pay over a million quid to 9 people who ended up hostages after one of there flights ended up in kuwait as the iraqis invaded.
So what you say?
Well a claim was made at the last moment half a dozen Men with really large rucsacs got on the plane and short haircuts and disappered before the Iraq's turned up and nobody seems to know who they were or where they went :o