A Day in Iraq:):):)...
Michael is the first name/psuedonym? of the American soldier who writes the BRILLIANT and REALLY TERRIFIC online journal of events in Iraq...
..in his really awesome blog, A Day In Iraq...
...a military blog that my friend, Ala, from Blond Sagacity, who's AMAZING conservative blog and forum for discussing and debating hot political issues I will give as much publicity as I can:):):)
Blond Sagacity...Ala's blog:):):)...
I spent my morning with Michael's blog, today:):):)...and it was an honor:):):)...I must say:):):)...I've thought for about a year and a half about signing up:):):)...and Michael's blog was DEFINITELY the most reassuring blog to reinforce that thinking:):):):):):)...
It is VERY ENCOURAGING to see that I might some company amongst other generous and caring soldiers:):):):):):)...soldiers whose concern about the Iraqi people transcend politics or differences of policy:):):):):):)...
Michael's description of New York is almost EXACTLY as I remember it when Brandi and I visited there almost 7 years ago, now:):):):):):)...brilliantly lit:):):)...exciting:):):)...filled with adventure:):):)...and ALWAYS something of interest:):):)...I told Michael about Brandi's and my trip to see the Broadway musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown:):):)...how I was afraid that it would epitomize EVERYTHING I HATED about musicals, at the time:):):):):):):)...but how it turned out to be a really AMAZING experience:):):) (if you haven't seen You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, you definitely should:):):)...and if you have kids:):):)...you definitely SHOULDN'T miss it:):):):):):):)...
What struck me most about Michael's blog...in addition to his generosity with water and with needed money for Iraqi children selling swords to make money for their families to buy food and basic needs...
Was Michael's description of walking through New York giving money to homeless folks, there:):):)...
When Brandi and I lived in Washington D.C. for the three months of the summer that I visited her in Summer of 1998 (the same summer that we took the quick trip to New York City:):):), I would get ENDLESS shit from our friends, Alex and Mike, about how I always wanted to give money (and still do give money whenever I can:):):), to the homeless folks, there:):):):):):)...
And it was SO SWEET to read Michael's really wonderful story about the mix of feelings anyone always has when giving money to homeless people:):):)...especially when you are giving so absent of expectations for how that money is spent, as Michael did and as I do:):):):):):)...
Michael's story of finding a way to get Iraqi soldiers water even though they're not technically allowed to give their own bottled and purified water, since it is in short supply and often leaves them asking for water from their fellow soldiers, and arranging with a higher up to get unpurified water for them is REALLY HEARTWARMING:):):):):):)...that one soldier will show that kind of decency and risk the face with his commanding officer to make sure that soldiers in the desert without water can get it is a real testament to the most genuine compassion and concern that should and often does drive American soldiers as they work to liberate ordinary Iraqis:):):):):):)...and bring freedom and democracy to a people that are long overdue for it:):):):):):)...
His story of giving money to Iraqi children who sell swords from old bayonets to help feed and house and clothe their families is really very beautiful:):):):):):)...
And Michael's story of searching -- desperately -- for anything of substance...to read...or listen to:):):)...and finding Johnny Cash's album where he cover's Trent Resnor:):):) (and Depeche Mode's My Own Personal Jesus:):):):):):):) (THAT is why I LOVE Johnny Cash:):):):):):):)...this Pope could learn A LOT from the example of Johnny:):):):):):):):):)...and from Michael:):):):):):):)...
Michael is an excellent example of what kind of ideals need to lead this war:):):):):):)...and many Americans would do well to heed the example of this heroic young man:):):)...
Please take a moment to check out Michael's blog:):):)...you won't regret that you did:):):):):):)...
I also want to give mad props to Rose's Anonymous Rowhouse:):):)...the sweet and beautiful blog of the woman who found my blog and got me in touch with such a really lively and wonderful little crowd in New Jersey and throughout the blogosphere:):):)...
http://anonymousrowhouse.blogspot.com/
...and, of course, Colby Buzzel's really wonderful military blog which he has had to stop posting personal narratives to because, military personell say, of security concerns...but which still includes many articles about the situation and words of support from fans of Colby's blog:):):)...
My War...Spc. Colby Buzzell's military blog
Thanks, Michael:):):)...for your service and risking the ultimate sacrafice to bring peace and freedom and democracy to peoples' in desperate need of them:):):):):):)...
And thanks, Ala, for working so dilligently to keep folks like Michael and Colby near to our hearts:):):):):):)...
Have a good everyone:):):):):):)...
And when you get a chance:):):)...check out Josh Turner's Long Black Train:):):):):):):)...the brilliant little country ditty that I'm listening to right now:):):):):):):)...
Have a great day, everyone:):):):):):)...
Love,
Ben
