Angry Bear

12 Apr 07

Too Angry to be Listening to Music

GI Mail is working again.  If you sent me anything there during the last two days, I probably did not get it.

CMA Security Team

 

     I got my first piece of hate mail today.  You don’t want to send the Bear hate mail, unless you have your facts straight and your logic in place.  Now it’s time for some schooling.  I won’t write the guy back directly, and he actually left the comment on one of my posts on a different site, not AWAC.  He may never see it, and I don't care if he does. Rather, I wanted to share it with you so you could see that logical, rational reasoning, like I’ve been trying to teach Hamid, is not always used by Americans.  People like BS (yes, those are his initials, isn’t the irony delicious?) love flame wars, and I won’t get into that.  This does provide an excellent opportunity to look at a controversial issue, apply reason, and see that emotion and bias rather than logic drives so much discourse today.  So lets see what BS has to say:

 

     Sorry, you've got an argument on your hands whether you want one or not. This nonsense gets old real fast, especially from fellow soldiers. I'm assuming then that you believe that the latrines and showers should be co-ed as well? Because if not, then you're either full of it or you're a pogue or high ranking other who has his own room so doesn't care how the rest of us have to live together.

     “Pogue” is an insulting term used for people who never go outside the wire, as though the job they do isn’t important.  So here we have name-calling, always a good way to prove you are right. Anyone who has actually bothered to read my blog knows I leave the wire most every day, and I live in a B-Hut and don’t have a room to myself, so clearly not much research was done by BS.  Better to take a cheap shot.  It also shows that BS disdains the troops who are away from their families, but not actually outside of the wire.  Their sacrifice is less; they are just pogues. Lose the ‘tude, dude.  Those pogues make it possible for you to be a non-pogue.

     Calling my beliefs “nonsense” gets BS another point. Well played, BS.  I’m writhing in agony.  If I’m not for coed-latrines, I’m full of it? Hmmmmm, guess I’ll be for coed latrines and showers, since I’m certainly not full of it. Those are my only two choices, right?  I know all the ladies are just dying to see me use the toilet.  How about if I’m only for coed showers, but not coed latrines?  Am I then only half full of it? If I go to the latrine, will I no longer be full of it? Good grief.  Could it get worse? Let’s see.

 

     There's a very good reason while sexuality issues between relatives is still so taboo, despite the ever so "enlightened" times we now live in. Besides the genetic factor, it destroys the family unit and the trust that it requires. The same is true in an infantry platoon. Allowing open homosexuals into a platoon of grunts would cause as much social chaos within that family unit as would introducing a female into that environment. Forget combat effectiveness, all your training time will be on managing sexual harassment and other various HR issues that are a total waste of time for a unit that should be practicing urban tactics and marksmanship instead.

     Did you catch the subtle hint that being gay is like being incestuous?  Clever.  First, we have jumped from letting gays serve in the military to letting gays serve in an infantry platoon.  Women are still forbidden to do that, so we have several different issues to deal with.  Yes, if gays were in BS’s platoon, I am certain that unit cohesion would suffer.  BS would live in perpetual fear that the evil gay soldier would be unable to control his lust, and I’m sure the gay soldier would live in fear that BS and his ilk would beat the crap out of him if they could get away with it.  Not saying BS would actually do this, but the fear would be there.

     As for managing sexual harassment issues, I’m not sure what Army BS is serving in, but the US military deals with these issues all the time, and provides such training to all military members.  At least, it’s supposed to.  Maybe his unit is exempt.  Hmmmmm.  And would he be happy if gays served in the military, but not in combat units? Like women?  I doubt it. Gays are evil.

   

     So-called gays know exactly the parameters under which they can currently serve, and knew this from the moment they signed on the dotted line.

“So-called?” That does he mean by that? Are they pretending? Does he not like the term “gay?” What does he want to call them? Queers? Scum of the Earth? Servants of Satan?

 

   

I fail to see how retaining these type of people improves the quality of our armed forces, any more than condoning or overlooking adultery would.

Careful, your religious bias is showing.  Now being gay is the same as cheating on your spouse. And adultery is overlooked all the time in the military.

   

Until you can prove that homosexuality is an immutable condition like race rather than a "lifestyle choice" or even an abhorrent affliction like attraction to minors, then unit cohesion should take precedence.

Sure, lets make sure all soldiers in a unit think exactly alike.  Don’t let atheists in with Christians.  Don’t let Republicans serve with Democrats.  Don’t let Cowboys fans serve with Giants fans (actually, I’d support that one.  Cowboy fans are soooo annoying).  Cohesion will suffer otherwise.  Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! And now being gay is the same as being a pedophile! Ouch!

   

At the very least, save your social engineering for peacetime where the potential consequences of such liberal feel-goodedness aren't quite so high.

     MY social engineering????  All I said was I didn’t care if gays served in the military.  I still don’t.  What engineering? You know, there are many militaries, including some who are fighting by our side right now, that allow gays to serve openly.  Perhaps we could see how things worked out there, instead of assuming liberal feel-goodedness will lead to dire consequences.  Great Britain allows gays to serve, and they provide more combat forces In Iraq than any other country besides the US.  Australia is doubling their combat force in Afghanistan, and they actually fight over here (as opposed to providing support functions).  They allow gays in their military.  Canada allows gays to serve also, and their men are dying over here in Afghanistan too.  And looky here, I found a study about the effects of gays in the Canadian Army, and it took me a whole 10 seconds.  I wonder if BS really cares that the topic has actually been studied. Here’s the link:

http://www.gaymilitary.ucsb.edu/PressCenter/press_rel1.htm

     People like BS scare me.  He claims he is worried about unit cohesion, but ultimately what bugs him is that, in his mind, “gay” equals “immoral.”  That is really the underlying issue.  Don't pretend its unisex bathrooms or reduced combat efficiency.

 

     You know what’s ironic.  I don’t know any gay people at all.  None.  Never have (at least, not that I know of).  This is so-not-an-issue in my life, yet it keeps coming up.  I don’t initiate these conversations, others do.  Sitting over here learning how to accept and befriend people completely different from me has been a very good experience.  I have learned better to look at each person as simply a person.  It’s very liberating.  Set your hate and bias aside, and get to know people.  Have reasoned dialog.  If they still insist on killing you, as the Taliban do, then we do what we must. 

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Tonya’s Cute Dog of the Day (just for Rat’s wife)

     Tonya has decided a new puppy might be a good idea, while Rat is being the stick-in-the-mud.  Naturally, being the supportive hut mate I am, I’ve sided with Tonya.  So I will post cute dog photos everyday until he cracks. Here are Fiona and Gabriel, two former fosters from Pap911.

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Blog Watch:

     I’ve got a new post up on The Sandbox.  http://gocomics.typepad.com/the_sandbox/

We had a big day yesterday, with over 500 hits.  This always happens when a new Sandbox post goes up, and we also got many hits from Therossman.com. Thanks, uberdude.

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Care Packages:

     Four, count’em, four packages from Leta, and one from Kristi Hansen.  The guys hauling in the boxes are starting to hate me again.  Most of Leta’s stuff was for Dany’s Kids.  Dany is grateful as always.  Kristi sent what will probably be the last batch of snicker doodles I get over here, so Hamid and I will probably wolf them down next week.

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The William Arkin Obscene Amenity of the Day

     Named for William Arkin, the blogger who thinks the military is made up of mercenaries, OR EVEN WORSE, that have an obscene quantity of amenities being shipped to them.  Only his sage words protect the country from being overrun by rabid, militaristic fanatics. 

     SSG Sawyer has finally written her magnum opus.  My little strike worked. Enjoy:

     Just so you know, I still haven’t found an obscene amenity for the WAOAD post. I figured since I was taking all this public abuse via the strike, I should write something to defend my well needed sabbatical from the WAOAD responsibility. My lovely introduction to the world of AWAC browbeating has reeled me back in, if only for a moment, to give you my side of the story.

     First of all, I have been buried in work as my unit prepares to get out of here. The Editor's so-called “Zombie Project that Would Not Die” is chump change compared to my feats. I have a team of four, including an Air Force MSgt, attempting to defeat the evils that plague my office. Not too mention the temperature has been rising and really putting a beating on those of us without cushy office jobs (ah-hem). It’s easier to narrate my saga with pictures so here goes . . .

     Even though it’s early in the day, I like to start it with plenty of hydrating fluids. The days are sooo stressful that I have to mentally and physically prepare myself, to include safety measures. As you can see here, the workplace is such a zoo that I require the use of a hard hat, “Safety First!” So before I dig in to the masses of paper, emails and phone calls, I take a few minutes to meditate on the day’s tasks and throw in a few physical fitness exercises like the 12oz curls you see here. Keep your hats on—those are non-alcoholic curls that I’m doing. Because of my busy day, I have to multi-task and do my leg stretches at the same time. It really helps to cross your legs to maximize this stretch, makes the day that much better.

     The rest of my crew, the Army guys, have much of the same routine in the morning as they prepare for their day. SGT Crawford partakes in a similar routine as me but he does more pulling and tugging than stretching. Seems to have the same affect as he is usually raring to go after his morning ritual. Then there’s SGT Chatwin who finds the 12oz curls too weak for his needs. He likes to toss around the “Scissors of Justice” to find motivation. I’m not really sure why he calls them by that name but I’m definitely not going to bother to ask. Why waste all the time with silly questions?

     Then there’s the fourth one in our collection, MSgt Homan. She’s in the Air Force and was brought in just because of the sheer overwhelming workload we have. Here she is hard at work, with “Safety First” obviously on her mind posing next to the training “impression” she left on the bumper of our LTV. It seems she was attempting to super-multi-task by showing off some defensive driving techniques all while trying to pick up some supplies. It’s amazing how she was able to integrate the real-life affect of what a collision feels like in an LTV. What a sacrifice! We are much obliged at all the stuff she is teaching us. Have another there MSgt, you look parched!

     After a few long, grueling hours in the office, we usually have work to do in the conex yard. With the intense heat settling in by midday, we pile in the Gator and head out to the yard to get our hands dirty. SGT Chatwin is usually pretty antsy by this time so we make him ride on top for our own safety. He’s a little wacky.

     The work we do is so strenuous; it nearly knocks us out by the end of the day. My guys are nice enough to drag me back to the office for our daily task run down. I can barely make it to dinner I’m so beat.

     Our final task for the day is to clean up the office and update our message board. It’s SGT Chatwin’s turn to put up tomorrow’s Affirmation of the Day, which helps to inspire us to jump out of bed each ready to take on any challenge. He did such a good job writing this one, I think I’ll have him do it again tomorrow.

     As you can see, my days are filled with never-ending, chaos and stress. You can see why I am delayed in posting my usual, well written, thoughtful, interesting and always humorous WAOADs. I beg for the reader’s forgiveness in light of the obvious hardship of my job. I think I see a few hours of time off in the distance, I’ll see if I can fit an obscene amenity instead of sleep. I owe it to you all.

     Listening to my . . . zzzzzz . . . ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ . . .

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Five Seconds of Fame:

     Tuesday’s quote, “In Ireland a man sleeps in a bed, not in a bag” is from The Quiet Man, Maj Apple’s favorite movie.  Correct guessers include Raging Mom, Lorrie Cramer, Caitlan, and Pixelkiller.  Lorrie says the correct quote is “In Ireland a married man sleeps in a bed, not in a bag.”  So I had to do some research, and the actual quote is, “But here, a married man sleeps in a bed, not a bag!”  From now on I’m going to have to look these up before I post them.

     Wednesday’s quote, “Listen! Do you smell something?” is from Ghost Busters.

Peter Fleming, Herb Busler (husband to our very own SSG Sawyer) and Lorrie Cramer are the only winners on this one.

Herb Busler and SSG Carrie Sawyer

     I also need to add that Dany guessed the Matrix quote a couple of days ago, but I forgot to list him.  Sorry, Dany.  Now you are famous too.    

     Remember, you too can be famous.  Just identify the quote (without using Google) and send me an e-mail.  You can also send a photo of your choice to be posted.

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Quote of the Day:

"But his bosses didn't like him, so they shot him into space."

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You know, when getting the blog posted takes five hours, the greatness starts to get sapped out of the day

- Bear

traversa@gimail.af.mil

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Here’s Rat -

 

     The weather today was amazing as it has been all week. The sun was shining and the temperature bordered on the hot side. We even had to turn on the air conditioner to cool down the hut. Summer is just around the corner, and it will soon be getting very warm around here. Luckily I won’t be here to have to go through it again.       

     When you add the 40 pounds or so of body armor on top of the uniform that by the way is required to have the sleeves rolled down, there is very little area for heat to escape. We spend a lot of time forcing water and sports drinks down to stay hydrated. It is also very dry here. The humidity is very low, and even now you wake up feeling as if you had slept in a dehumidifier. It isn’t until after taking my morning shower that I begin to feel as if I have some moisture in my body again.

     The good news is I have all but finished the report that has plagued me as of late. The boss has looked it over and only made a couple minor edits so it looks as if I almost have this monkey off my back. It goes final tomorrow evening so barring any new developments and if I can keep him in a good mood I will be done.

     I have been feeling excited about coming home almost to the point of not being able to stay focused on getting things done. It has been a real battle to keep on track. I am so looking forward to seeing my girls and to get back to a normal life again. It has been a hard year away from them and it is really time to get back home.

    I am also looking forward to meeting all those who have tuned in to the radio show every day and shared my ups and downs and my rambling introspection. I have gotten so much positive support from you all that it has made my life a better place and made this task more bearable. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and keep supporting those who are still deployed. Your efforts make a huge difference to all of us.

Ratman, Monkey Tamer.

dtempleton14@yahoo.com

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Letters (or E-Mails) to the editor

     Hey Captain Traversa, I just wanted to send a message to let to know that I really enjoy your postings and the whole AWAC site. I discovered your site a few months ago and I particularly enjoy the dialogues with Hamid concerning cultural differences.  You seem to ask exactly the same questions that I would like to ask an Afghan (or person of Middle Eastern descent) if I ever had the chance.  The information and descriptions of Afghanistan that you provide are very insightful and unique.  I wish you a safe return to your family and friends. Again thanks for your perspective and great service to our country.

Marvin Pavatea

* * *

[This e-mail is from Shalla in France.  She is the wife of Raphael, who wrote about pelting me with tomatoes, or potatos, since I didn’t like Ghost in the Shell.  The grammar and punctuation is exactly the same as Dany’s, before I edit it.  I think it must be a European e-mail style thingy. Anyhow, I’m too lazy to fix it, so enjoy. -Bear]

i do apologize for my husband's odd behavior and the randomness of his letter to you...

then again that's kind of why i married him :-)

few see the playful side that is there hidden within the seriousness and dark french humor he shows to the world.

me i only get as playful and silly, as he did in the letter, when i have had too much sugar... or caffeine... or not enough sleep... all three? yeah all three!!!

last night i heard him typing away while i was going over the photographs i plan on entering into the contest for wild bird magazine... he was typing... and typing... damned if i didn't think he was the energize bunny! (being so close to easter and all the bunny does need extra work to help fill the quota for next year)

at one point i looked over at him and asked if he had a new lover and was going to toss me ... his ever so sweet and only slightly spastic wife.... to the road side

he said he would tell me later when he was finished... and he did. course he also told me that you didn't think very much of ghost in the shell... yes i admit my jaw did drop

i know it is an odd thing for a female to like anime let alone actually like the hard core stuff ... i am definitely not a sailor moon kind of girl... ok maybe but that just kink lol
and i'm way to pregnant to put those costumes on now lmao j/k

like my hubby i understand the reasons you gave for not being a fan of ghost in the shell... no biggy more for me :)

anyway, i know you are out over seas doing your job to the best you can and for a greater good... may not be the greater good everyone thinks of but each plays their part. i haven't read all your blogs and i don't really know what you and your friends have been up to over there... but i know you must be making a difference... thanks

and thank you for bring out the humor my hubby keeps locked up inside... if you can do that then you must be bringing some good to the world no matter where you are.

good luck

Shalla

* * *

Yet another Camp Phoenixite puts pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard)

    Thought you might want to know the history of the garden on the track that was highlighted in your obscene amenity the other day.  This beautiful little space is the baby of the optometrist here at Camp Phoenix.  He actually had all the bulbs sent to him by his wife.  His hobby is hybridizing irises, which will probably bloom sometime in the next 45 days.  The REAL obscene amenity is the rock hammer he uses to weed the entire bed.  Its quite amazing to watch him go at it with that hammer, priceless actually…..and did you notice the rototiller?  Again his wife wrote to the company and told them about the good Dr. trying to till the concrete like ground with a pick and shovel last year so the company mailed him one!  Imagine that, good ol American companies are in on the conspiracy as well……Damn those amenities anyway!

1SG B. Sue Ruff-Nelson
Camp Phoenix

* * *

Dear Captain Traversa,

     After reading your most recent posting in The Sandbox (Cleanliness and Godliness), I was reminded of my praying when I was a girl in Kabul. 

    I have a younger sister and she and I were looked after by our three servants (cook, gardener and houseboy) when our parents were at work or were out in the evening.  In those days (my sister was barely a year old when we arrived in Afghanistan) she was very blond with bright blue eyes and the servants thought she was a little goddess; she was carried everywhere, could do no wrong and always got special treatment on our shopping trips to the bazaar.  I, on the other hand, have dark brown hair and eyes and was nothing special in Afghanistan.  I was three when we arrived and fairly soon after we settled in, my father started teaching me how to read and do basic maths.  For the servants, this was amazing stuff; for them only boys were literate and even then only a very few, so they made some sort of decision to treat me as if I were a boy, my father's son, even though they knew I was a girl (they bathed us when my parents were out at evening parties).  The best part of this decision from my point of view was that it meant I got to pray with them whenever my parents were not home; my parents had bought a lovely little prayer rug from the bazaar and I would drag it from the living room to the kitchen, where the three of them always prayed when it was time.  We washed and everything; I even had a prayer stone with an inscription for an eldest son to touch my forehead to - I thought this was all just brilliant. 

    I do not remember this particular incident; I know it only from my parents but one day my parents arrived home early for lunch and there I was in the kitchen, bowing to Mecca and reciting the prayers.  My parents saw this and were concerned that I was imitating the servants without the servants' permission (and as girl as well it could be seen as doubly blasphemous); they thought perhaps the servants had been afraid to tell them.  The servants realized that we were at least nominally Christian, although we rarely went to church at that time (my father was very picky about music), and they had not checked this out with my parents.  After talking with them (my father had taken dari/farsi lessons), my father got it all straightened out; my parents' reaction was 'same God, different prayers' and I was allowed to continue with their blessing (I would have made a real fuss if they had tried to stop me; they would have a hard time enforcing a ban) - and I think even then my parents had a sense that I needed all the prayers I could get, regardless of format or language.

     My best to you, your comrades and colleagues, and your family.

Cheers,

Kathleen

* * *

Hi Doug,

     I'd like to take the opportunity to use this widely read blog to make a plea to all of the great military people who will be coming home. As you think about what you will do in the future, I ask you to consider running for political office. I have learned so much through your eyes reading AWAC and other milblogs. As I pass this on to others I have seen their attitudes change from the enlightenment. I believe you are making a difference in a way that you may not have intended, and indeed I have seen you express this sentiment. Your experiences and attitudes are so valuable to our country. I know I have a lot of nerve to suggest that those who have served so well continue to serve. But I can't resist asking since you all have so gained much knowledge. If any of you would ever decide to run, I will be there to support you.

 

Humbly,
George Bailey

[George is a fellow member of North Central Maltese Rescue]

 

* * *

   

Hello!

     Ever since you began the letters to the editor section of your blog I have been meaning to drop you an email thanking you and your crew for the interesting revelations you supply.  I started reading AWAC several months ago  when searching for blogs written by troops in Afghanistan to get a better idea of what it was like for a long-time friend of mine who was serving over there.  He has since come back but I continue to frequent your blog reading sections throughout the day when I need a study break or have a break between classes.  Needless to say I have enjoyed reading it and will continue to do so as long as you and your counterparts keep posting.  Thank you all for your service.

Sincerely,

Jenny

No one in the DoD is gunning for them just to cleanse the ranks.

Who said they were? Where is this coming from? Why did he write this to me?

 

The ones who do get kicked out do so because they're looking for an easy way out of their commitment.

Sweeping generality, fifteen yard penalty and loss of down.   Having not studied every case, I don’t know.  This may well happen, but I really doubt this is true of every instance.

Comments

[Ford Ranger Forum]

Thanks for serving!

[Rosemary]

Dear Captain Doug,

Hi. How are you? I love your posts. Actually, I love all the post of the writers that posts. I pray all is well. Just stopped in to let you know I've been keeping up. Don't sweat the small stuff (jerks). :)

[Marieanne]

Regarding BS - words fail. Bear, you were very kind to take the time to refute such blatantly hackish bloviations.

Rat, those are verrrrry cute puppies. Maybe Bear can hook you up!

SSG Sawyer, I nearly pulled a muscle muffling my laughter (I am in the office, trying to appear busy) at your entry. The photos just make it even better. Sgt. Chatwin and his affirmation are now my desktop wallpaper.

You guys are the best.

p.s. Bear, I don't know whether you got my e-mail, but please do include me in your List of Loyal AWAC-ites. You really need to turn the entire blog into a book; and if you do, someone is going to option the book and make it into a movie. YOU ALL HEARD IT HERE FIRST!!!

[Matti]

What a rollercoaster post! Angry at BS one second, cracking up over Sawyer's post the next (those bunny ears rock!) AWAC should come with a warning, something like "Warning: Reading AWAC May Result In Varied And Extreme Emotions. Reader Discretion Is Advised."

Rat. You're doomed. If Tonya wants a dog, and Bear is on her side, I think a white flag is in the not too distant future... :-)

[Leta]

SSG Sawyer - I suppose I should begin on a postive note and thank you for your post. Now that I've gotten that behind me...

Let's just review all of the obscene amenities you mentioned that you may have thought we readers would "overlook."

Is it not enough that you have a "cover" AND a combat helmet but you have an ADDITIONAL construction helmet for protection. Cha Ching! Cha Ching!

An LTV/Gator. Geez! What happened to the "good old days" when one walked to and fro and carried items from place to place. I fear you all are becoming must too "soft" over there. I don't even want to imagine what that Gator must have set the taxpayers back.

Now I didn't want to go "overboard" here so I'll not get in to detail about that comfy looking chair which probably has wheels to allow you to move about freely and not have to walk about to retrieve items OR the idea that the PLAIN bottled water supplied should be enough without having to supply the alcohol free beverages OR that spacious and oh so modernly decorated office space. Seems like a LOT Of wasted room there. AND you just had to wear those glasses again and rub that in our faces. Good grief the obscene amenities you all are blessed with.

Oh, and Rat - don't think I missed your comment about having the AIR CONDITIONER on. Good grief!

Hey - GREAT post SSG Sawyer. I'm happy to see that despite all of the TRUE hardship you all endure each day and for such lengths of time that you still have a sense of humor. One MUST have a sense of humor. Thanks for sharing!!!

Rat - did I miss something about this "Monkey Tamer" moniker you've added?

Bear - I'm not leaving you out. I just choose not to comment about BS and you know why from my email to you. Pointless.

Best to you all. We're waiting to hear you are back on US Soil safe and sound.