Howdy All,
Well, it's been a while since I wrote last, so I figured it was time for an update. Actually, this is the second time writing this, the computer ate it the last time when I tried to attach the pictures. I took the picture on a trip to another forward operating base or FOB. I had to take a helicopter. It was a fun ride, and on the way back, I stuck the camera out the window and snapped blind shots. Luckily, them came out nice. When I got to the other FOB, I had been bumped from the convoy I was supposed to take to visit an Iraqi market, so I was stuck their all day with nothing to do. I did make a contact that had some information that I was looking for, and I had lunch with a public affairs officer and three Iraqi journalists. It was interesting to hear what the Iraqis had to say and hear the questions they asked. During a break from the actual interviews when the interpreter wasn't around, we tried to teach each other phrases in our native tongues. They mentioned that they love Hollywood and especially Clint Eastwood. It's amazing how well you can get buy with just some simple phrases and lots of hand gestures and pointing. The pictures are of the Rusafa area in Baghdad. It's basically the east side. It gets really confusing because of the way the break down the areas, districts and neighborhoods. But it's all Baghdad where I am.
I have been much busier lately. There was a gap between one the guys in the office leaving, and his replacement showing up. I was supposed to cover one brief for him. I ended up getting his job altogether and they found something else for his relief. So now I have the job I was doing before, as well as his. It's not that bad though, they each kinda come in spurts, so I'm really only working a major issue in each one by itself. It's kinda frustrating being such a low rank here. Sometimes, when I say things, it is taken with a grain of salt. But, as soon as the State Department rep that I work with says it, or an O-6 says it, it becomes true. Not always, but sometimes. The good thing is, they almost never expect me to do a good job, cause I'm "just" a LT, so it's a nice surprise that I actually do a good job.
I have a website y'all should check out. For starters, this guy, Michael Yon, is a journalist that is embedded with some US ground troops in Iraq. He tells a different story than the mainstream media. I personally think that he has it right. He doesn't sugar coat it and tell you that everything is peachy, because it sure isn't, but he also doesn't spin everything to show that it's a lost cause either. He often tells the story behind the story, which I think is very important. This link I am sending, he talks about something that I work on. It's the Public Distribution System, and it is the largest public food system in the world. Every Iraqi, with the exception of the highest levels of government, is entitled to it. They get 12 items each month for a fee of 250 Iraqi dinar, about 15-20 cents US. The food has a market value of 30,000 dinar, or about $20-25 US. Iraqis do not receive the entire basket though. There are major problems in ordering the food and transporting the food. There is corruption at every level from the top down. Interestingly enough, the Iraqis like the system. So, that has been my major headache for the past month. Trying to improve the system. It is not our system, it is an Iraqi system. It was started after the Gulf War to try an offset the UN sanctions on Iraq. Anyway, here is the link, http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bread-and-a-circus-part-i-of-ii.htmhttp://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bread-and-a-circus-part-ii-of-ii.htmhttp://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/public-affairs-baqubah-food.htm
A lot of you keep asking what you can send me. I don't really need anything. But, if you want to send something, this is what I will ask for. Old magazines and those neck wraps that have beads in them that are supposed to help cool you off. We get soldiers passing through here all the time, and we hand those out to the guys that will spend a lot of time in the heat. There are various tables and shelves that have magazines that are public domain so people just grab one as they walk by. It doesn't matter what kind, someone here will like it and enjoy it. Make sure you cut off or black out your name and address though. The post office has flat rate boxes that work great for magazines, and I think if you tell them it's for the troops, they will give you boxes and packing material free. I'm not sure how that works though. Send what you want, and if I can't or don't use it, I'll share it with someone who will.
Oh, I almost forgot. A couple more things different here. Do you remember pull tabs on Coke cans? They still have them here. I guess there are other things to worry about than stepping on a pull tab. I'm sure you have heard of military time, 0500, 1300, etc. Well, they should call it, rest of the world time. Since I got overseas, that's how everything has been labeled and advertised. No am or pm. That's about all for now. Take care.
Jase
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Let Jamie know if you want the address to send a package.
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