A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention….

Like all liberals I know, he is incapable of accepting anything that doesn’t fit his talking points. He’s in denial. And being in denial results in dishonesty, as he tries to “prove” you to be wrong, and results in willful ignorance.

Some kibbee and grapeleaves?

I had never had Lebanese at all. Michelle had, so she picked most of what we ate, and we also worked on the recommendation of a Lebanese-American interpreter we met in Iraq.

Which, as an aside, was very interesting. There must be dozens if not hundreds of Arab-Americans working with the US military in Iraq as terps. We met two at Justice, and I think they’re among the war’s unsung heroes. The military would have a very hard time doing all it’s supposed to do without the help of those terps.

Back to the food, we definitely had some grape leaves. Kibbee…probably. It was all delicious.

Whatever it takes. Either you’re dishonest to the point that you’ll distort writing that’s right there where everyone can check for themselves, or you’re illiterate.

Bryan on January 22, 2007 at 7:17 PM

I say both….

Great job, Bryan, you and Michelle taking the time to leave your families, get a first hand look, and report in a thoughtful, professional way……… Spot On…

My late parents would smile hearing you say you had “brilliant Lebanese lunch” during your trip! Some kibbee and grapeleaves?

Makes one appreciate our troops and their families even more.

And may I humbly add that the same feeling of being away from family and kids is just as poignant for the troops who don’t go to Iraq or Afghanistan.

Those who go onboard ships, submarines, or overseas to other countries feel the same sort of ache.

When you say goodbye to your kids, knowing you won’t see them for at least 3 months, 6 months, a year, it’s tough.

All our troops, no matter where you are. We Love and Appreciate your sacrifice.

Thank you Troops!
Thank you Military Families!

I apologize for lofting that point straight over your head. I’ll aim lower so you can understand it next time.

Bryan on January 22, 2007 at 6:39 PM

Thanks.

I’m glad somebody has the courage, nay, the poetic integrity to tell me that Baghdad is acually a lollipop land of happy go lucky Iraqi’s undistracted by the isolated and unrelated unpleasantness that surrounds them.

Did I say any such thing? Point it out if I did.

The point of that part of this piece that you hate so much is that media coverage of any event distorts a true picture of what’s going on over there. That’s not to say that it shouldn’t be reported; it should. But you can’t judge the entire country by what you see on TV.

I apologize for lofting that point straight over your head. I’ll aim lower so you can understand it next time.

If we can get to the war in about 3 days, others can make the reverse trip just as easily.

posted at 12:49 pm on January 22, 2007 by Bryan

Ya, maybe they can get their blog readership to donate via paypal to cover the cost of their “mission”. Works so well for others. Oh, and you forgot Canada. They can always fly to terrorist friendly Canada, using them unsuspecting idiots as a “jumping point”. And couldn’t you work in the dirty bomb, or suitcase nuke that they could be carrying also. That could have added some much needed drama in this tale, and would have married nicely with the boy hugging mama’s leg thingy you started this post with.

Thanks for this insight, as without it, I would be compelled to believe CNN’s version of a city “fixated” by any single battle. I’m glad somebody has the courage, nay, the poetic integrity to tell me that Baghdad is acually a lollipop land of happy go lucky Iraqi’s undistracted by the isolated and unrelated unpleasantness that surrounds them.

Oh, and sorry to hear about Mrs Malkins dirty pants, (a detail I thought you could have left out of the narrative). Damned Air Force. You just can’t get good baggage handlers anymore it would seem. Cost you a whole day of your inbed? Ouch, and after the personal price you paid. You could sue them, what with Mrs Malkins starquality, but I’m not sure that that would be sending the right message to the insurgents, and we wouldn’t want to embolden them, what with their imminent arrival here and all.

.

My son, standing on the sidewalk in the dusky light hugging my wife’s leg. That was the image I carried in my mind on the long ride out.

Poetic.

Be Strong. Don’t cry on me.

Baghdad Report: Over There Bryan Preston My son, standing on the sidewalk in the dusky light hugging my wife’s leg. That was the image I carried in my mind on the long ride out. Michelle and I were now really…