A request from a soldier

[Maraya1969]

Is this new because I have never seen it before? It is an atrocity that US troops should defend highly paid civilian contactors! We should be doing something about this.



http://www.optruth.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=hear&htmlId=1042

For those of you not aware, the US military is not the only US organization that is functioning over here in Iraq. A large US contractor called KBR (Kellog, Brown, and Root), a daughter company of Halliburton (once run by VP Dick Cheney), is operating on every US base in Iraq. KBR manages many of the solider services that we have .......<snip> KBR is also scheduled to take over all fuel hauling and freight hauling in general

Let me explain... KBR is now requesting, and the army is allowing, US soldiers to ride "shot gun" in KBR convoys hauling KBR goods all over Iraq. KBR is afraid to be out on the roads alone and want our US soldiers to risk their lives riding shot gun for their missions. KBR is currently staffed by mainly non US international personnel along with a growing numb

er of Iraqis. Most do not speak English, none have had military training on defensive driving, proper convoy operations, avoiding ambushes, navigating around IED's, proper procedure for calling in support or medivac or fire support, procedures to follow after taking enemy fire, the list goes on. These drivers are simply paid drivers that are making roughly 5 -8 times our wages and get paid whether the freight arrives or not. KBR is requesting that US soldiers risk their lives at the hands of inexperienced and improperly trained individuals to provide them with security.


Here is where you come in. out of a desire to honor the oath we took upon entering the army we do not want to disobey a direct order if and when the order comes for us to ride with KBR. We do however want to make all the lawmakers and politicians aware of the danger we are being unnecessarily exposed to on these missions. Our hope is that each of our friends and loved ones back home will take a few minutes and send out emails to any local, state, and US congressman and senators and demand that they require the US military to stop this practice of allowing US troops in KBR vehicles.

The only ones who have the power to force the military to honor the wishes of the people are the lawmakers and politicians. So please take a moment and send a letter or email to one of your senators or congressman and ask or demand that they inquire into this matter and demand that it cease.

[acmejack]

1. Quite old, but still worth reading!

nt

[Maraya1969]

2. Is it still happening?

[cloudythescribbler]

4. how can you tell how old it is?

[salin]

5. I read the item a year or so ago.

[cloudythescribbler]

3. This is REALLY important -- Iraq war needs more discussion

People should cut & paste this piece and repost it at peace movement sites. I will do so some and send a cc to Michael Moore. I hope people highlight this as one of the ways that we "support our troops" even though the slogan is meant to obscure the issue. It also cuts to the core of why we are in Iraq -- not for WMDs nor for democracy, but because of the oil. (I know this guy's focus is more specific.)


It is interesting that this war involves what soldiers recognize as abuses of them -- reneging on promises of the end of term, not supplying adequate armor to vehicles and soldiers alike, and this kind of assistance to private corporate work. There was a study of Algeria (and the French) which argued that, up to a point, more people supported the war policy when casualties INCREASED, as there was increased patriotic fervor. With Iraq less in the news now, and public opinion of Bush very low, the Administration doesn't have the political incentive to AVOID risks like this on the battlefield. Quite the contrary.

Elsewhere I have argued that what is needed is a national organization, similar to Greenpeace, canvassing door-to-door for donations and members, but organizing the members the way ACORN or IAF (Industrial Area Foundation) organizations do, in chapters. That would really be a way to bring issues like this to politicians' attention, instantly and effectively. But enough on that now --
I just think this is an item for 'greatest' page, and more focus on it.

CLOUDY