Salam Alekum, or peace to you. Today in Iraq, we got a little rumor control, which is just that, unconfirmed information. From the beginning of our deployment, there was a lot of talk about "Getting some action" and sending some rounds down range. I consider it fools' talk, and I'm troubled by it. Well, rumor control says one of my former units got what they wanted, one dead person.
I have no doubt there are some people that got it coming, and the sooner the better. And I hope this incident, if it's true, saved lives and was justified. What troubles me is that so much talk and posturing might lead to panic and collateral damage. I wasn't there so I can't know for sure, such is "Rumor control."
At the base where I am stationed, there is a state-of-the-art medical facility, and it seems to get helicopter visits daily. One can't help but wonder what the story is of those being delivered.
Lately, we seem to get mortared every morning at 07:30 hrs. At least these insurgents are punctual. By the way, many of those attacking us are simply guns for hire and not the idealist many would want us to believe.
The food here is really very good, and there's plenty of it. We are well provided for and so long as one does not venture "outside the wire" life is pretty comfortable.
I met a high-ranking Iraqi officer today and was really pleased to see how much respect he received from all the Iraqi people. I believe the average citizen knows what's at stake for the future of Iraq, and these Iraqi soldiers are the key. So, Salam Alekum and that's all for now from just north of Bagdad.
I appreciate the comments from Elias as I never know what to believe and what not to believe in the comments made on TV and in newspapers re the situation(s) in Iraq.