Hands up if you care

So, another weasel journalist is prepared to put soldiers lives at risk by publishing and/or airing "new" footage of abuse scandal in Iraq.

Surprisingly enough the "new" footage is 2 years old (British) and 2 1/2 years old (american, Abu Gharaib).

While there is no excuse for what happened and any individuals or small groups responsible for breaches of Military, Civilain and Human Rights law shuld be punished, WHY does this stuff need to be shown to the world?

People at home dont care - the opinion polls proved that over the last few days. They were more concerned as to why these things happened. Where they unprovoked attacks? People here dont care (in comparison to floods, no food and getting KILLED by former regime and now criminals, as opposed to a beating by Coalition troops), as violence seems to have been such a frequent part of their lives that they accept it.

More concern was raised over the cartoons. But enough about that.

I have been to Abu Gharaib and I have seen the embarrassment of the Americans as a nation - they were appalled that it happened and more appalled that everyone knew. I have seen the effect of people stirred into activity through the practice of freedom of speech "for the good of the people". Rubbish. Most of this is "chequebook" journalism. News is slow, hammer the troops. Better than a hero story, or one about how we have help rebuild this country and it's ability to function as a comparitive state for the region (it will never be Britain or US, but it could be Kuwait or Saudi or Jordan).

Rant over.

Of more importance, I watched "The Great Raid", based on a true WWII story. Excellent. "Eurotrip". Tonk. "The Island" - Ewan McGregor, Scarlett Johanssen. Excellent. Not much else.

I think that's enough for now. Stay safe.

Ug....

This wont be a long one as I am rapidly losing the will to live....

Bad points this month:

1) The Iraqi I knew best out here was assassinated last week. He was a good guy and wanted to see his country function as it should - he wanted to help. A sad day. May his god be with him now and thoughts to his wife and children.

2) Still have 2 1/2 months to go and I have been back from R&R for 2 weeks.

3) My dog is ill.

Good points:

1) I am going to receive a 3% pay rise in April.

2) um......

Well there you go, it is officially rubbish here, ask anyone!

Stay safe.

Sunshine on a rainy day...

Makes my soul, makes my soul drift, drift away....

Name that tune.

In relevance to here, it rained to day. Booo.

We were suppoesed to be on the ranges. Booo.

It was cancelled. Yay!

I found $100. Yay!

I am supposed to hand it in in case anyone stupid enough to drop $100 has reported it. Booo.

I have been back for 7 days now and it hasn't been easy to readjust. Waking up early (06 something), working til late (gone 10 sometimes) and then not being able to sleep is not good. I have the bloodshot eyes of a seasoned alcoholic, without the drunkeness (boo) or hangover (yay).

I have managed to squeeze in Rambo 1,2 & 3 (better than I thought they would be), The Interpreter (Very good) and Flight of the Phoenix (good), plus played Forza Motorsport on XBox - jury is out as to comparison with GT4 on PS2.

Right must dash, as I am supposed to be working.

We will remember them.

Sad day yesterday.

Three of my fellow servicemen returned home for the last time - the 99th, 100th and 101st British Servicemen to be killed here were repatriated.

A sad day for all here.

My thoughts are with their families and friends.

May they Rest in peace.