Soldiers returning from the WOT have been telling me a lot

[shadowknows69]

I drive cab near a base and I fish for as much news/stories/political leanings as they'll give me. Sometimes it's a lot. ask me anything. Or give me some ideas on how and what to ask them?

[kansasblue]

1. What's the state of morale?

How does the National Guard feel about it's extended stay in the International arena?

Do they feel they are getting the support (supplies)that they need?

[shadowknows69]

2. Haven't talked to many guard

met several soldiers tonight asking rhetorically why are we even in Iraq. They realize they've been lied to along with everyone else. Met a couple wouded soldiers tonight. One very glad to be getting out of the army soon. One willing and able to go back despite the fact his hand had been severely injured in an IED attack.Mentioned his extensive therapy and the fact he could "use his finger sohe guessed he could pull a trigger if he had to". Both of these guys said the were like on of the only survivors of the respective attacks too and I got to hear how their comrades in arms died quite graphically. More dissent and realization that they're being used very badly than I expected to find so they're not all drinking the kool aid believe me. I've gotten a few thought and fished for rumors of future deployments and from what I gather Iran is a sure thing and probably sooner than later and they're thinking full invasion somehow.

[acmavm]

3. Full invasion. With what troops? Who's gonna attack, Jenna and Not

Jenna? They sending babs and poopy? 'Cuz you know george won't do it.

We are the metaphorical military Mother Hubbard. Our body cupboard is bare.

[shadowknows69]

7. We do have them surrounded

and I suspect there might be more troops in the region, not necessarily Iraq, than we completely know about. As I said I'm just going with what I'm hearing. One also confirmed that it is basically the plan to make Iraq a permanent staging area (he likened it to South Korea) for the larger war on terror. Says no way we'll be out in any capacity by 2009. All of this is pretty much "Duh" material to us at DU but it's particularly chilling coming from those on the inside.

[acmavm]

13. Who's surrounded? I don't think we have anyone surrounded. We're in

their part of the world. Do some more stupid shit over there and we'll be finding out what it's like to have the whole Arab and Persian world down on our asses.

We may be 150,000. They are millions.

[shadowknows69]

16. I agree with you.

Most of the soldiers who think were going into Iran are equally confused as to how we're going to pull that off. Is it getting drafty yet?

[acmavm]

19. I have a feeling it will be pretty soon.

[Sterling]

20. Look at a map.

Not many Americans know where Iraq is, much less Afghanistan or Iran. Look at these places on the map. You will then see how yes they are indeed surrounded. Hey we may suck at occupation but we are amazing at destroying huge standing armies with low casualties on our side.

[acmavm]

26. Right, we've done so well so far in the two wars we've got. Standing

armies don't mean shit in the Middle East. These wars have always been fought and won by the natives.

Anyone who thinks we can sustain a military operation in Iran with ground troops is just fooling himself.

[NJCher]

4. I'd be interested to know

How they access outside media, other than the Faux News that is served up as Kool-Aid. Is there an "underground" media?

What do they read? How do they get on the I'net? Is there tracking software on what sites they go to?

Thanks, shadow. I've watched your other posts with interest.

And that is pretty scary about what they think on Iran.




Cher

[Recursion]

6. News availability

When I was there ('03, before it got bad), we had Fox, MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, and ESPN in the E club. Plus there was Armed Forces Radio, and if you knew a good radio guy you could pick up BBC. Sometimes you could talk them into showing Al-J or Al-A, but eventually an office would notice and get pissed off and switch it back.

Whether they cracked down or not after things got bad I'm not sure. My unit just rotated back in (I got out, luckily) and what communications I've had so far have been in the form of "is everybody still alive?" (thankfully, the answer is yes so far). I'll ask somebody next time I talk to them.

[cally]

9. welcome to DU

I'm thankful you got out and your unit is fine. Thanks for the info.

[shadowknows69]

8. Good questions NJ

I'll definitely try to approach that. I try to keep my politics to myself until I see a clear opening. I'm actually enjoying this little opportunity. Taxi driving isn't exactly my preferred career of choice. I was trained to be a journalist originally and there are few things I have more passion for so this is a unique chance to hear lots of intense "off the record" stuff. I don't think I'm hurting anything by relating it to you as long as my sources remain anonymous. Considering I never ask their names that shouldn't be too hard. ;)

[leeroysphitz]

23. What an opportunity for a journalist. You should stick with it and

write a book.

[TexasProgresive]

5. I guess I'm a little slow

WOT??? Wheel of Time, Wide open Throttle, Wired on time, World of True, War on Terror- ah maybe that’s it! War on Terror was on the last page of the search.

[shadowknows69]

10. Met my first wounded soldiers yesterday too

Not too severely thank Gods but it's had a profound effect on me. I feel fortunate to be an ear for some of these men and women if they need it but I can tell it's going to wear on my soul. I'm too empathic for my own good.

[shadowknows69]

11. sorry. couldn't fit it in the subject line.

my bad

[shadowknows69]

12. one little kick for the afternoon crowd

If I may so indulge.

[Dunvegan]

14. Good to have a journalist "imbedded" for DU...thanks ShadowKnows

Questions: Why do you feel so certain about itentions regarding Iran?

Are the soldiers concerned as to how widening the war to Iran will affect their survival?

Does it seem the long-term plan is to hold direct influence over the entire Middle East, a la occupation in multiple countries?

Thanks again for writing up your reports here. Much appreciated.

[shadowknows69]

15. I've asked acouple of them about Iran

Just basically if they thought we were going to attack and some seem to think so. One I followed up with the ? "Just airstrikes or actual invasion" and he said he thought we were going in. I said: "So they're are going to use Iraq as a staging area?" that's when he said it was planned to make Iraq permanent along the lines of SKorea. Some good news I got (I guess it's good news) is one soldier told me that Nato was supposed take over fully in Afghanistan fairly soon and the bulk of our troops would be coming home (or redeployed probably) from there.

[annabanana]

17. You are in a GREAT spot

for a journalist!

You are talking to primary sources about much disputed information. In your position as cabbie, the soldiers don't feel "on the defensive" or that some one is looking over their shoulders..

...TAKE NOTES

[Opusnone]

18. Ask what DU can do for them.

DU'ers are pretty good at stuff.

[LunaC]

21. Good insights into what's on the horizon

Thanks for passing along the Inside Scoop. I've long suspected an Iran attack was coming and you've confirmed it to my satisfaction. Please keep bringing us the "chatter" and let us know when it ramps up another notch. I'd like to know it's coming before it hits. Have they given any indication as to the timing of the Iran invasion...June?... August?...October?? I just want to know how much time we have left before TSHTF in a major way.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

22. How can someone posting anonymous secondhand conversation on the internet

"confirm" anything?

[shadowknows69]

24. I can't

As I've said these are the raw conversations I'm having with soldier and my interpertations of the vibes I'm getting from them. I do know a large deployment from where I am is scheduled in August. A number of troops just got back from some training in California and they are the ones being deployed. They've all been telling me its to Iraq and Afghanistan but I suspect that they wouldn't be informed if it was indeed Iran or Syria.

[LunaC]

27. August

Today Iran is threatening to review Article 10 of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the section of the agreement that outlines procedures for withdrawal. Article 10 allows signatories to pull out of the treaty if they decide that extraordinary events have jeopardized its supreme interests. A country seeking to withdraw must give fellow treaty signers and the UN three months notice and detail the events that have forced the decision to pull out of the agreement.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/07/news/iran.php

Three months delivers us to that August timeframe.

[LunaC]

25. It fits in with all the other pieces of the puzzle AFAIC

and it passed my BS-o-meter. You may feel differently. Your perogative. Let’s revisit this thread next year to judge my instincts and your skepticism.

FWIW - Iran seems to think an attack may be coming since they’re strategically positioning themselves for that eventuality.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=a_Aw9B.MGCuY&refer=us

And the world markets are nervous too.
http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/economy/crudeoilus/crudearound70/bblamidconcernsiranstandoff/market/stocks/article/213424

Tell me…do you think it’s NOT going to happen? If so, WHY?