Ramblings of a Jackhole

Yours truly, The Jackhole has been receiving emails stating that the note from Sargent First Class (SFC), Ray Reynolds, of the Iowa National Guard (Army), 234th Signal Battalion for which I published on April 23 is an “urban legend.”

However, upon a little search one can see that Ray Renolds was a Sargent Second Class as well as a birthday boy in the Iowa National Guard.

Additionally, Ray himself spoke up and said:

I did write it and I am in Kuwait now on my way home. I wrote it while at home because I felt that too many people were exploiting the violence in Iraq to sell papers and gain votes. Sometimes the silent majority need to be awakened to respond to the bad things in our world. I am passionate about our President’s decision and support this rebuilding whole heartedly…Yes legit..I am a fire fighter in Denison, Iowa and to verify, call Mike McKinnon of the Denison Iowa fire department.

Of course democrats are having a little trouble with all their baggage. So their best plan of attack is to simply state that even the truth isn’t the truth. Not all of us can marry rich, twice.

A Note from Iraq From A Solider in the Iowa Army National Guard

This is from a fireman who serves in the Iowa National Guard and who is packing to go back to Iraq after a two week leave. It’s amazing the differences he reports from that of the media which dwells on the conflict.

As I head off to Baghdad for the final weeks of my stay in Iraq, I wanted to say thanks to all of you who did not believe the media. They have done a very poor job of covering everything that has happened. I am sorry that I have not been able to visit all of you during my two week leave back home. And just so you can rest at night knowing something is happening in Iraq that is noteworthy, I thought I would pass this on to you. This is the list of things that has happened in Iraq recently: (Please share it with your friends and compare it to the version that your paper is producing).

• Over 4.5 million people have clean drinking water for the first time ever in Iraq.
• Over 400,000 kids have up to date immunizations.
• Over 1500 schools have been renovated and ridded of the weapons that were stored there so education can occur.
• The port of Uhm Qasar was renovated so grain can be off loaded from ships faster.
• School attendance is up 80% from levels before the war.
• The country had it’s first 2 billion barrel export of oil in August.
• The country now receives 2 times the electrical power it did before the war.
• 100% of the hospitals are open and fully staffed compared to 35% before the war.
• Elections are taking place in every major city and city councils are in place.
• Sewer and water lines are installed in every major city.
• Over 60,000 police are patrolling the streets.
• Over 100,000 Iraqi civil defense police are securing the country.
• Over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers are patrolling the streets side by side with US soldiers.
• Over 400,000 people have telephones for the first time ever.
• Students are taught field sanitation and hand washing techniques to prevent the spread of germs.
• An interim constitution has been signed.
• Girls are allowed to attend school for the first time ever in Iraq.
• Text books that don’t mention Saddam are in the schools for the first time in 30 years.

Don’t believe for one second that these people do not want us there. I have met many many people from Iraq that want us there and in a bad way. They say they will never see the freedoms we talk about but they hope their children will. We are doing a good job in Iraq and I challenge anyone, anywhere to dispute me on these facts. So If you happen to run into John Kerry, be sure to give him my email address and send him to Denison, Iowa. This soldier will set him straight. If you are like me and very disgusted with how this period of rebuilding has been portrayed, email this to a friend and let them know there are good things happening.

Ray Reynolds, SFC

Iowa Army National Guard
234th Signal Battalion

May God continue to Bless Ray, his brothern in arms as the United States of America.

Lt. Col. Alan B. West, is stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. He and his men face nearly daily attacks as the do their best to achieve security near Tikrit, a stronghold of Saddam Hussein supporters. However, last August, an informant told West’s soldiers that there was an assassination plot against West. The informant finger an Iraqi policeman as a collaborator. So, the solidier brought in the policeman for questioning. Two trained interrogators were brought in and questioned the police office for hours. However they were unable to garner any information from him.

But don’t fear, Col. West took control of the situation. West reportedly came into the room, and said to the Iraqi police officer, “If you don’t give us this information, I’m going to kill you.” The policeman, clearly nonplused, responded to West with a smile and said, “I love you.”

West then took the Iraqi outside and, with the help of fellow soliders, forced his head down. And providing protection to the Iraqi, please one hand on the man’s head, and the other holding the pistol, Col. West fired into a weapons-clearing barrel filled with sand.

This scare tactic quickly got the information flowing. The detained police officer provided the names of two accomplices and also told of another sniper attack planned for the following day. Col. West’s actions clearly saved the lives of our men and women stationed in the Takrit area.

So, one would expect West, a veteran of two wars and a minority that has excelled at his post, to be promoted and given medals. Bzzzz. Col. West was relieved of his battalion command, effectively ending his military career. Then a military prosecutor offered him an ultimatum: Resign immediately and forfeit retirement benefits, or face criminal proceedings that could lead to a trial and prison term.

Of course if West were to have quit the military before last Saturday, when he became eligible to retire, Col. West would have lost more than $1 million in pay and health benefits over his life expectancy. His wife is a cancer survivor, making the cost of obtaining medical insurance prohibitive.

It is important to note that not only does Col. West have the cajones and smarts to save the lives of soliders by getting information, he is clearly a man of honor. Col. West, on the same day of the incident, self-reported the full incident to his superior.

So where does this leave us?

First, it appears that some “touchy-feely” types are forcing their views into interrogation for life and death matters. It is important to note that these a imminent threats. Information needs to be gathered quickly for delay will likely lead to deaths.

For example, back in July, Col. David Hogg, of in the 4th Infantry used unorthodox methods to persuade an Iraqi general to turn himself in. According to the Washington Post, Hogg ordered the Iraqi officer’s family be rounded up and held. Hogg then sent a message to the general; “If you want to see his family again, comply.” In a short time, the Iraqi general appeared in front of the U.S. base and surrendered. Fortunately, in this case, the touchy-feely types were not there to punish Hogg and reports are that Hogg has been promoted.

Second, you can contact you Congress members in the House of Representatives and the Senate or the Army. You can also call the White House to express your support for Lt. Col. West at 202-456-1111.

My new hero, Col. West can be contacted by e-mail and his wife has her own e-mail address. Mrs. Angela West is in the process of setting up a legal fund for her husband, please contact her if you would like to donate to this fund.

Third, us attorneys need all the help we can get. If you have information that you believe could be of assistance to Col. West’s defense, send an email to West’s attorney, Puckett. Puckets says he welcomes communication with any experts in military law who might have ideas or information to pass on to him.

Finally, Col. West will have his hearing on November 10th. Please take your time and pray for this man so that he might be protected for those not only trying to end his career, but his ability to provide for his sick wife and his family. Please also pray for this country so that we will not be a country that punishes our non-PC heros.

May God Bless West and may God Bless America.

Amen.

We see stories every day from the press bemoaning on how our troops are simply dying without a reason in Iraq. We see pictures of the abhorrent and detestable violence perpetrated by Muslim militants. We see pictures showing the death of our young, brave men and women of our armed services. However, when was the last time you saw a report of the quiet time that fills their many days. The moments when they remember why they are there to protect those that are in need? The moments that show them, and would show us, the human side in Iraq. The moments that remind show them that they are there for a reason.

Daily we get a listing of the numbers of soldiers in the United States military that have had their lives taken in Iraq. However, these men and women are not merely numbers.

They are our children of follow citizens. Many of them have children of their own. They surely remember their children daily, reminding them of one of the greatest reasons they fight, and freely give their lives, for our country, that is for their children, our children as well as the children of the world.

The death and carnage around them is a constant reminder of their mortality and of their Creator. They pray to the God in who America’s founders placed their trust and thanksgiving. They pray for their safety and the safety for their companions. They pray for the safety of all those they are there to protect.
They have left their loved one here in the United States, fully knowing that they may never see them again on this Earth.

Now is the time for each one of us to step up to the plate and support our troop. We must not only support them in words and actions here in the states, but also in quiet prayer to our God.

Pray that they have the ability to complete their mission. Pray that they are able to complete their mission safely. Pray that their action will allow those in Iraq to one day be able to freely pray and worship God. And most importantly pray that those soldier that never live to leave Iraqi soil, are able to see their loved ones again in Heaven.

Amen.

Saddam wins 100% of Iraqi Vote – U.S. Forces Vote to Kick 100% of His Butt

So Saddam won 100% of the vote. I wonder why? Wouldn’t be those death squads now would it?

I’m getting really pissed off that the same people that were bitching about us not being “prepared” for 9-11 and not taking “enough steps” to prevent it are the same freaking idiots that don’t want us to take out Sadam and his nukes and biological weapons. Dumbasses.