My nephew is going to Afghanistan.

This is the worst news! The only thing worse would be, well, I don't want to even consider it. He just found out...He won't go until summer '09. I'm sure the US will still be over there then. He's an officer in an infantry division in the Army National Guard.

I talked to his mom. She spewed the neocon Kool-Aid crap about "well, it's better to fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here." I said "my ass -- that is such bull shit." Then she went Rudy on me and it was "9/11 9/11 911." WTF? This is her son we're talkig about. One of the finest young men on the planet.

I am just devastated. I've been sobbing since I heard.

:cry:

Fuck George W. Fucking Bush and his fucking war.

My step son has been in the spin cycle of "going --not going--going" for two years. Now it looks they he's really going ... Iraq, I think. He's in the Army Reserve. This really sucks. We're pulling an engine this week end. Recalling all the hunting accidents of 1970 and 1971, I am sorely tempted to drop it on his foot ... bad Trav ... bad

Best wishes to you and your family. I like the idea about the engine -- even though it would hurt him it might just save his life.

and maybe a more sane Congress too.

but the way * is going, he's going to make it nearly impossible for his successor to get out of the ME for a very long time.

Rush and O'Really are news for her. I've tried. Her response is always "Clinton did X, Clinton did Y." She lives in her own well-structured world and won't let anything in that might rock the boat. It's sad.

found a way to avoid it.

That sums it up. OTOH, she is very sweet and loving. She's seen how her other son's family has struggled because of lack of medical insurance and fought with medicare over other issues. But this is "better" than Hillary care. I don't know how she holds all these contradictions inside. It's sad.

He is home for a week or two, and then goes back. My thoughts go to you, and a lot can change between now and then, for the better. I wish you the best.

How can your BIL go back after coming home? It's a wonder more don't desert.

Thanks for your thoughts -- and I do hope things change. But I'm not very hopeful about it.

The thing is, he was supposed to be done-out of the Army- earlier this year. They showed him the fine print. The own him for three more years beyond his contract, if they *need* him. They are breaking the military and those that serve.

If he refused to stay, he'd lose all his benefits. Those that he's given 4+ years for, so far. If he didn't go back, he'd be arrested. I won't burden you with what he has gone through, but, he's not been comfortable or taken care of. We gave him socks last Christmas, I'd never seen someone so happy to have socks. His folks have had to buy him new boots when his wore out. Just take it a day at a time.

word is getting around about the lies and deceptions of the recruiters. Not quite: one of my students just signed up for the marines. I want to shake some sense into him.