The Horror

Posted on 12/12/2008 at 10:53 pm by Bob Cesca

by Lee Stranahan

Well, firstly, let me say, perhaps it’s easier to deny that this is a civil war, when essentially you live in the most heavily fortified place in the country within the Green Zone, which is true of both the prime minister, the national security adviser for Iraq and, of course, the top U.S. military commanders. However, for the people living on the streets, for Iraqis in their homes, if this is not civil war, or a form of it, then they do not want to see what one really looks like. – Michael Ware in 2006

I am not the same f-cking person, I am not the same person. I don’t know how to come home. - Michael Ware in 2008

Solely based on his CNN appearances, I like Michael Ware. I like his accent. I like his nose. Much more though, he’s one of the only reporters on TV who talks like he’s not completely and totally full of shit.

So, please read this article about the effects this awful f-cked up Iraq War that we were lied into had on Mr. Ware. It’s effected millions of people in ways that are as individual as those people. But from the reading the article, you get a glimpse on the Apocalypse Now kind of crazy that the slow drip-drip of constant irrational armed conflict can have

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  • GItheJOE

    No one goes to Iraq and comes home the same.Michael’s comment made me feel good today. To know that even a report is effected by that horrible place makes me feel a lot better about having some lasting effects.

  • http://www.leestranahan.com Lee Stranahan

    I can’t even imagine.

  • GItheJOE

    Lee,Your analysis is right on.That was suppose to be “reporter” not “report”.In no way am I trying to downgrade Michael’s service to his country and the media.This nation needs embedded journalist to tell the real story of war not the manufactured romantic stuff in movies.I am wanting for Oliver Stone to do a “Platoon” or “Born on the Fourth of July” about Iraq.I watch the news everyday wanting for signs of combat veterans that haven’t adapted to society coming home from war.It will come and it won’t be pretty or romantic. Some of these guys enjoyed what they did in Iraq a little to much.

  • Theo

    GItheJOE: Pardon my curiosity, but where did you serve and for how long?I haven’t served myself, although I know several people ‘over there’ right now and most of my family has served. I can’t sleep myself imagining what people are going through, so I can’t imagine what it’s like for those who’ve seen it.I like Michael Ware too, I think he’s a good guy. I hope he gets the help he needs to get through. The real shame is that the VA is awfully sketchy when it comes to covering post-traumatic stress and other emotional issues for the returning troops. If Obama gets nothing else done, I hope he makes life easier for those in the military.

  • GItheJOE

    Theo,I have served in Mosul and Tikrit.Once in 2004-2005 and another 2006-2007. I was part of the Surge.If you ask/tell me the surged worked. I would reply for who?American soldiers are dying less but the Iraqis that were are there to liberate are dying everyday and are still poor as shit.To a measure a war by how many American deaths we didn’t have in a month is sickening.

  • GItheJOE

    Theo,If you want to talk to a vet about Iraq, ask them about KBR.They will shit their pants and go into a tangent about the lazy overpaid civilians who sleep in a bed every night.

  • http://obamaproject.windonwater.net QueenTiye

    Lee’s link didn’t work for me. In case anyone else is having trouble, try this: http://www.mensjournal.com/cnns-prisoner-of-warQT

  • Theo

    GI: I talked to a recently-returned vet a while ago who was in my class. He mentioned that he was a cook with his unit and then said that KBR contractors did the cooking while he went and did the fighting.

  • http://www.osborneink.com Matt Osborne

    GItheJoe, you’re not alone.I’m long out of the service, but a friend of mine came back about 18 months ago and he wasn’t the same. Funny thing is, he wasn’t a ground-pounder, he was a UAV pilot. Turns out the “Nintendo generation” can get PTSD, too.He wouldn’t tell me everything, but he told me enough that I felt obligated to write fiction about it:http://southofstrange.blogspot.com/2007/09/babylon.html

  • McWolcott

    Michael Ware is a TRUE journalist. I can’t wait to read the book he’s writing.I’ve watched his reporting for years now from Iraq and he’s amazing.