About Iraq

Sparky asked:


I want to interview soliders that served in the iraq war to pull out there experince, even the not so pleasant experiences. This is for a disseration in psychology and to benefit other soldiers.

Joseph

militarywife2kids asked:


I want to send some baked goods to my husband in Iraq for the holidays, but I dont know what to use in order for them to arrive fresh and not all moldy. Also what type of goodies can i send him that I can bake myself. Please help me out.

Brittany

machew72 asked:


The US invaded Iraq under false pretenses, without a UN vote and did it for political interests by the Bush Administration. Russia has done the same thing in Georgia (except for the false pretenses)

Who are we to tell Russia to stop the fighting in Georgia?

Now that the US is so engulfed in the Iraq quagmire that the US can no longer effectively deal with other global issues like the Russia/Georgia one.

Jorge

Rachel F asked:


My husband is a soldier in Iraq and he works the night shift out there. They don’t serve meals at night and so he has to wake up early to eat or go hungry. He asked me to send him ready-to-eat food like tuna and ramen noodles. I just need other ideas of non-parishable food items that I can send in the mail and can handle the weather being 130 degrees F without any refridgeration. Any ideas would be apreciated. Thanks.

Loretta

Kristin Bostic For Craftmatic Cares asked:


 
Sapulpa, OK –Jun 26, 2008 – A 2007 survey of severely wounded troops from the War on Terror found that 92% have trouble sleeping due to nightmares, insomnia and pain. In order to combat this looming problem among the military, Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds has embarked on their CraftmaticCARES Program to donate one adjustable bed, free-of-charge to a severely wounded War on Terror veteran each week in 2008. SSG Shawn Green, U.S. Army (Ret.) of Sapulpa is this week’s winner.
 
Green first enlisted in the Army in January of 1983 and served proudly for 25 years until he was medically retired in 2007. He served two tours in Iraq with the 104th Training Division out of Washington state, his first in 2003 and second in 2007. Green honorably served under General Petraeus with the Multinational Transition Team.
 
“We were responsible for training the Iraqi people and the Iraqi Army to take over the country for themselves,” Green remembered. “We were under a constant enemy watch; every time we rolled out of the gate we knew they were watching our every move. We had to be on our toes for sure. Thank God we had helicopter cover.”
 
Although his unit was on the watch during his first tour Green was blown out of a Humvee in a mortar attack and severely damaged his neck, lower back and left shoulder.
 
But when his injuries weren’t treated properly in 2004, Green was deployed yet again in 2007 and was only there a month before his old injuries came back to haunt him.
 
“One day my entire left side went numb and the injuries finally shut me down after 25 years of service,” Green said.
 
He was flown back to the US in July of 2007 for physical therapy and back and neck surgeries at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.
 
This week, Green learned that he would be receiving the Craftmatic bed because of his service to the military and his combat related injuries.
 
“Right now we just have a regular queen sized bed, with a standard mattress,” Green said. “Sometimes I sleep, sometimes I don’t. If my lower back isn’t getting the proper support, I wake up in pain and can’t go back to sleep. I guess I average about four to five hours of sleep a night.”
 
The Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are especially helpful to those with severe back injuries because the ‘S’ shape of the mattress mimics the curvature of the human spine, supporting the back in ways that flat mattresses cannot.
 
“Because Craftmatic beds adjust to fill the gaps created between a flat mattress and the spine, the entire back is fully supported,” said Eric Kraftsow, Elevation Bed, LLC owners of the Craftmatic trademark. “This is extremely helpful for those with back and neck injuries, such as SSG Green, who need to be properly supported in order to get a good night’s sleep and wake up fully rested. Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are proud to be an instrumental figure in these wounded heroes roads to recovery.”
For more information about the CraftmaticCARES Program, please visit http://www.craftmaticcares.com/.
 
# # #
About Craftmatic Adjustable Beds:
Craftmatic® Adjustable Beds first began marketing electrically adjustable beds specifically designed for use in the world’s bedrooms over 30 years ago. Today, Craftmatic is one of the world’s best known and respected trademarks for quality products. Craftmatic Adjustable beds are available in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
 
Over 1,000,000 Craftmatic Adjustable Beds are now in use in customer bedrooms around the world and attest to the fact that our unique beds are as durable as they are attractive and comfortable.
 
For more information, please visit www.CraftmaticCares.com
CONTACT: Kristin Bostic, kbostic@919marketing.com, 919.459.8165

Edwin

Steve Dubin asked:


Yet it’s also a date the many volunteers and businesses who contributed labor and materials to the construction effort coordinated by Homes for Our Troops— a non-profit organization that builds and remodels specially adapted homes for severely wounded veterans—will hold close in their hearts. That’s certainly true for one of the project’s key contributors, John Massaria, owner of DirectBuy of Boston South in Rockland.

“We do our fair share in the community, but helping Homes for Our Troops build Brian and Mary a house was a project where DirectBuy could really make a difference with our access to vendors and installation services, so we dove right in,” said Massaria.

For Sgt. Fountaine’s home, DirectBuy vendors and manufacturers contributed kitchen and bathroom vanities, bamboo and tile flooring (from GW Lumber) and household appliances (from Hancock TV and Appliance). DirectBuy of Boston South offers its members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by buying wholesale, directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers.

In addition, DirectBuy of Boston South set up Brian and Mary with a DirectBuy membership that will be there throughout their entire life. Although they have only been members for less than six months, buying directly from the manufacturer, the couple has already saved a small fortune for their new home.

“We take pride in being pretty shrewd shoppers and have been pricing things on line for quite some time, so we know the savings we’re getting through DirectBuy are quite real. Even our family and friends who work in home improvement are stunned by what things actually cost us as members of DirectBuy,” said Fountaine.

Some of the things they’ve purchased include: an all-natural organic king-sized mattress and bedding, all of the bedroom furniture, three couches, a dining room table and chairs—even the custom wedding invitations for Brian and Mary’s nuptials.

“I was stunned when DirectBuy donated the entire kitchen and bath for the house. Having worked in construction prior to my tour in Iraq, I know how much all that stuff costs. But when Mary and I went there to choose the furniture and other items, we were floored not only by how much we can save but also by the incredible selection of just about everything,” said Fountaine. “What makes this an even more mind-blowing experience is that kind of selection and savings is going to be available to us and eventually our family for the rest of our lives. Thank you just doesn’t say enough for what DirectBuy has done for us.”

For Massaria, the gratitude extends both ways. “I truly believe we owe our returning troops, particularly wounded soldiers, more than a debt of gratitude. DirectBuy of Boston South’s participation in this project doesn’t bring back soldiers we’ve lost or minimize anybody’s injuries, but it more appropriately says ‘thank you,’ not just to Brian, but to all the Iraq War vets for their sacrifices,” said Massaria.

For more information on DirectBuy, you can visit http://www.directbuybostonsouth.com. Consumers interested in becoming DirectBuy members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from over 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct allows members to make their hard-earned money go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy of Boston South has been serving the South Shore since 1986 and prides itself in providing excellent member service. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. It’s a comfortable, country-club setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Boston South is one of the largest DirectBuy showrooms in New England, and part of 150 franchise locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy of Boston South at 781-878-8846 or directbuy@usa.com. To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuybostonsouth.com.

About Homes for Our Troops

Founded on February 4, 2004, Homes for Our Troops (www.homesforourtroops.org) is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) non-partisan, non-profit organization building specially adapted homes for disabled veterans of war. The organization is strongly committed to assisting disabled and seriously injured veterans and their immediate families by raising donations of money, building materials and enlisting the help of professional contractors to volunteer on the homes built for our American Heroes who have given up so much to defend America.

Since 2004, Homes for Our Troops has helped many wounded veterans by providing handicap-accessible homes at no cost to the veterans or their families. Currently, there are 35 home projects completed or underway across the country.

For more information, please visit the website at www.homesforourtroops.org or call (866) 7TROOPS (787-6677).

Joanne

CD Mohatta asked:


Muslims and Christians have a history of conflict. During last few decades when USA was sought by the nations of Middle East it was thought that the conflicts will reduce. But USA’s total support for Israel has made US a suspect in the eyes of Muslims around the world. What impact has the Iraq war had on Muslims around the world?The war on Iraq was started with the stated purpose of finding WMDs. It ended with death of Saddam Hussein. After that the USA decided to have democracy in Iraq. But did not know how to do this. Can one export democracy? USA tried that. It is still trying that. But it is only resulting in war between Shias and Sunnis. As a result both Shias and Sunnis around the world are blaming the USA for deaths of Muslims. USA is getting known as an enemy of Muslims for no good reason. Muslims all around the world have loyalties that cross the nation boundaries. Muslims empathize with each other. They call for Jihad and are ready to kill those they believe are destroying Islam. Why educated Muslims should confuse about the west is always an enigma for me. What they want from west is unknown to me. If you ask Muslims about what exactly they want from others, you may get confused answers. The right path should be to live peacefully with others. But because some of them believe that west wants to destroy Islam they are waging war. The correct idea should be for the USA to make a council of Muslim nations and ask them to solve the whole problem in Iraq. But that is easier said then done. The common Muslim thinks differently than the rulers. The rulers around Islamic countries also do not want to dabble in Iraq. Whether the new president can create peace in Iraq will be worth watching. It looks difficult.

Brian

KAR36 asked:


I am assigned to prepare a briefing on this book and I cannot find it anywhere.

I recall that the title has “thousand days” in it and that it is about the Iraq war.

Does anyone know either the title or the author?

Thank you. I have been to five book stores in two different cities and I cannot find it.
It is actually about lessons learned in the first 100 days. That explains why I could not find it.

Terry

MIKE YANTREE asked:


Iraq is dangerous, but so is training. Every life is valuable and to be honored. Are there stats comparing non-combat zone fatalities to war fatalities? In other words, are there some that would die on the highways of America and yet instead survive because they are not in America but in the dangerous areas of Iraq?
People die in car accidents, in the US training, etc. ….
Some questions appear to not make sense on the surface, but the digging deeper increases their potential for adding knowledge.
Sometimes the facts are counterintuitive. Thanks for the info.

Erin

Cesar Aguado asked:


With the elections approaching quickly, there is increasing fear among many in the U.S. government that al Qaeda may attempt to carry out attacks against Americans in an effort to sway election results. McCain, among others, fears that violent insurgents in Iraq may try to step up attacks on American troops and force more casualties that could, in turn, sway how the American public votes.

While McCain may be a supporter of the buildup of troops in Iraq, he has criticized the way in which the war has been handled. He also disagrees with any plans to withdraw troops from Iraq anytime soon. He points out how recent attacks in Iraq are the direct result of al Qaeda’s influence, and that they still pose a significant danger in the region.

As one of the strongholds of much of the world’s energy sources, there is no doubt that control in Iraq will have a significant impact on energy and oil prices here at home. Those, in turn, will influence the American economy and the success of many businesses. Rising energy costs combined with our failing economy could be potentially fatal, especially to the small business owner who may not have unlimited resources to draw upon.

McCain’s Strategy for Iraq

As part of his presidential campaign, McCain feels it is crucial to bolster the numbers of troops in Iraq so there are sufficient personnel to carry out their mission. With increased troops, insurgent strongholds could be cleared and then held peacefully, allowing Iraqi citizens to rebuild and create the infrastructure and economy necessary for continued success.

He also feels that violence needs to be stopped between Sunni and Shia factions, and the Iraqi army and police forces need accelerated training and equipment in order for them to be able to carry out their peacekeeping missions independently. McCain said the goal is to give the Iraqi people the tools they need to govern themselves, which would then enable us to bring our troops home. He emphasizes, though, that we cannot retreat until their government is both stable and self sufficient.

McCain criticizes the government’s policy of rotating top American officials through Iraq. He believes those with the best knowledge and experience should be left in place, assuring continuity and building upon our successes over there, rather than sending new leaders who need to overcome a significant learning curve.

Finally, McCain calls for increased international pressure on countries such as Iran and Syria, who have been funding and arming the most violent factions of insurgents in Iraq, and who have been directly responsible for the deaths of many American soldiers.

McCain agrees that the road to success is going to be a long one, and that the American people need to be better educated about the realities of the war and the expectations of our troops and our citizens in order for us to achieve success. Iraq is crucial to ongoing peace in the Middle East, which in turn affects big business and independent businesses alike. It is a training ground for terrorists, many of whom are undergoing specific training to carry out attacks on the United States. In order for America to be secure, McCain believes we must see our mission in Iraq through to a successful conclusion.

Terri