I can't think of a title

Merry Christmas...
bahumbug too. For some reason the Bold icon was unforgiving.
Everyone probably has this silly romantic picture you see on the news of GI's trying to enjoy Christmas...I'm pulling odd hours and other than a word to God treating it as any other day...except chow. It ought to be good...Speaking of good, I'm listening to the New York Dolls...New New York Dolls. Dance Like A Monkey!

A pleasant thing is the amount of Muslims that have said Merry Christmas to me. A couple of interpreters, a Jundi or two. One of my terps was telling me that the church in Baghdad was empty...Ramadan is supposed to be a time of peace, but it was a bloody month for everyone...why not there was a US election coming. That's even a great reason to kill each other.

It's natural to want to trust someone, but, in Iraq, you don't trust anyone. You don't completely trust your buddy because he's human, and while he will keep his mouth shut, or not steal your stuff, he's human and makes mistakes. But, by the nature of things you trust him with your life. As you work together a trust is earned. You don't trust the Iraqis period. It's nothing personal, they're desperate people. Despite their politeness, they are out for themselves. I know men who keep it secret from their own Brothers that they are in the Army. Or the terp that only his wife knew. No one trusted anyone here to begin with. Everyone is in tight cliques of family and tribe...Political ties.

The Shia are morbid people. (I mean no offense to my Shia friends) They often have a portrait of Hussein where ever they can put one. I've seen him on wall lockers, cell phones and stickers in in vehicles...Muqtadr Al Sadr is common too. For the most part Hussein's a handsome strong looking man...like a man with a mission. But then sometimes you see him in that leadership pose with a slash across his forehead. He's staring as if the cut is nothing with blood running down his face. His life/death is commemorated every year in a display of blood.

Iraqis aren't dumb. Yet, there is a vast amount of ignorance among them. Saddam cut the schools out so he could fight Iran, no one works, physical activity is discouraged...unless it's foot ball (Soccer to us Americans).They also have a naive perception of the West through Media, both theirs and ours. They believe the US is a great big stock pile of everything...But, so do way too many Americans. They don't have scenes of the desert, they have scenes of lush, green places. They love a garden.

Music Videos are popular. I like the videos of the Arab World...some of the best come from Lebanon, which speaks Arabic, but is not Arab people. They often have innocent stories to them and the women I found charming and beautiful... yeah, ladies, you know what I like. Some are really funny. They are mostly in the quasi Eastern/Western world.

Iraqis have a knack for obnoxious music...I'm not meaning Hip Hop Gangsta Rap, or as some would point out my Metal and Punk. They tolerate obnoxious noises, it's like the explosion behind them, they keep grinning and talking...It wasn't close enough. They carry on conversation in small crowded rooms, smiling the whole time.

I like Jundis...they are Iraqi Privates. Though they suffer from leadership, their Officers are simply self serving, selfish and uncharismatic. If giving some leadership, they will perform dutifully. I know one named Ali. He loves being a Soldier. He's serious in his duties, decently smart, young and energetic. He has ability, but, no one will develop it.

It takes ten years to develop an NCO Corps...with Iraqi Officers running things it may take twice if not three times as long. Despite that I do know a few that are professional, intelligent men. It's a good thing to work with them.


Many of the men I know have relatives in Europe. Anyone who can get out does. But, from what I make out most left well before the US invasion. In the meantime the west commits suicide through Cultural Marxism...

Now, I don't mean to pick on the Iraqis. In many places they have been very kind to me. There are some things I enjoy about them. I can admire them in some lights. So, enough of that...Peace on Earth...Even Appalachia

As I post this it's 0530 on the East Coast...Youngins waking up their parents all excited, some poor American House Wife is stressing over getting something perfect, when it won't be. If your reading this...Relax. Jesus didn't mean for us to be all stressed out.

It's Christmas and no one is reading this today, so, I hope you had a Merry One.
The Appalachianist