We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:25:10 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html Sat, 29 Nov 2008 05:25:30 -0600
I don't know which post or comment you got the quote from, but I'll try to answer from my perspective.

If, by "bite the hand that feeds them" you're referring to the recent demonstrations in Baghdad, that's an example of people exercising their freedom to dissent and protest. Under the present government, they have that right -- they *didn't* under the previous one. We don't want Iraq to be the first Arabic-speaking state in the US, we want Iraq to be its own country, run by its own people -- we may not what some choose to demonstrate for or against, but in the end, it is *their* choice and *their* right.

They may not have grown up with freedom as a frame of reference, but the past five years have enabled them to take a good look at one. Iraq isn't the collection of closed societies it once was, and it's a bit chaotic, but the Iraqis are learning. They are making political alliances on the basis of common interests, rather than a  common religious or common ethnic background -- something quite a few countries could learn a lesson from.

Last point -- It is a fact that we are winning, but, who would put up with killing and maiming of their countrymen and not resent it? If you're referring to us by that, and by context, I believe you are, you're a few years late. The killing and maiming is now indiscriminate, but it's not the US that's doing it -- it's the members of al-Qaeda In Iraq, who are mostly Yemenis, Saudis, Syrians, Tadjiks, Chechens and a few Lebanese (who are not Iraqi by any measurement) and some Ba'athist elements who are doing the killing, and the Iraqis know it.

But, as I said, welcome to the Castle. Look around and enjoy your visit.

]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80938 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80938 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:37:58 -0600 That's something I always wonder too, why do the Iraqis have the audacity to "bite the hand that feeds them"?

ANSWER: Because they lost friends and family members, killed by American Bombs and American Troops! They don’t look at the long term because the pain of losing loved ones is fresh and foremost in their minds. It is a lot to expect that someone could look past the more immediate pain and suffering they endured.

Many Iraqi people don’t look down the rode at the future and realize the freedom of Democracy and the many benefits of trade with the USA! WHY? Because they have nothing to compare it to but killing and war! How can a people appreciate freedom that have never had freedom? They have no point of reference!

Iraqis could look at the fact that American Armed Forces have bent over backwards to use Smart Bombs and selective bombing and aggressive intelligence, to reduce casualties and shorten the war. It is a fact that we are winning, but, who would put up with killing and maiming of their countrymen and not resent it?
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80936 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80936 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:44:48 -0600 "Heh. Us old guys may be coming apart at the seams, but at least we're -- ummmmmm -- errrrrrr -- dadgummitt -- Oh! "

Time to up your ginko dosage.
0>;~}]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80932 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80932 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:00:00 -0600
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Thank you, Mrs. G, but it's not really a sacrifice for me. Over here's the only place I can have lunch with a female half my age and *not* have to worry about getting clobbered by my wife.
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80929 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80929 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:41:31 -0600
Just to let you know they're some out here thinking of you, Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

Hang in there, stay safe.

Happy Thanksgiving.]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80923 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80923 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 07:02:57 -0600 I resemble that comment! (Thanks for the humor.!)]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80920 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/11/something_for_a.html#comment-80920 Sat, 29 Nov 2008 06:05:39 -0600