"The worst camp experience I've ever had," is the way Spc. Josh Socha of Portland, Oregon, describes his time at Combat Outpost Nolen in the volatile Arghandab Valley of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.
The men of COP Nolen have been in that valley for just over a month and have already seen their share of the most intense combat in Afghanistan. When last we reported, one of the camp's platoons had experienced severe casualties, losing nearly half of their men. As they are moved to the rear to regroup, a new set of troops is arriving to reinforce the position. Nolen comes under attack nearly every day, and patrols that leave the protective razor wire around their compound often run into either small arms fire or homemade bombs – IEDs, as the military calls them.
Four to five men sleep in the cramped rooms of this former school. With daytime temperatures often reaching 115-120 degrees, the stench from body armor, equipment and clothing is overpowering. It's nearly impossible to escape the oppressive heat. The ground is littered with spent shell casings from the daily firefights and the cigarette butts that often go hand-in-hand with those firefights. A well provides water for showers, shaving and laundry. The men burn their own trash and feces – a task that often falls to the lower-ranking soldiers.
Bottles of drinking water are stacked in cases in the compound. To keep the water cool the men put it in a large deep freezer. But they burn through water so fast that finding a cool or lukewarm bottle is like hitting the lottery. Breakfast and dinner are cooked by Sgt. Jeffery Meador, who the soldiers swear can make a gourmet meal out of anything. Steak and lobster were even served here this week – a rare treat.
Morbid humor and relentless teasing pass the time. Wives, girlfriends, mothers and past missteps on patrol are all fair game. Men who share the same shoe size joke that if they step on an IED with opposite feet, they can split the cost of a new pair of shoes. The bond of brotherhood runs deep. These men have shared experiences and a part of their lives they will never forget.
I often ask the soldiers what they miss about home, and the answers usually run the gamut from the sarcastic to the sweet. But my favorite came from Socha.
"I miss for the most part that it's never sunny with a chance of RPGs," he said, referring to rocket-propelled grenades.
"There's never a chance of mortars at home unless it's the 4th of July and you just came home from the reservation with a boatload of illegal explosives or fireworks. So that's what I miss most about home. That there's an innocence there that you can do things that are dangerous but it just isn't the same there as it is here. Just going outside can get you injured, or killed, or maimed."
Editor's note: Associated Press photojournalists Evan Vucci and Rodrigo Abd are Photoblogging for msnbc.com while embedded with U.S. troops stationed at Combat Outpost Nolen, in the volatile Arghandab Valley in Kandahar, Afghanistan.



My heartfelt thanks to those men/boys going through all of that for us. I cannot imagine the strength and courage it takes. I wish them all a safe return to their families.
After just viewing only a couple of these pictures of American Soilders in the home-away-from-home living conditions....I can only feel sorrow and pain...those who take advantage of everyday chores and expected ways of living day to day...It also brings to light how a human being can be subjected to the harsh environment and still be able to adapt and live a pretty stable life....When your basic needs are set in an unstable surrounding sure you are compromised to a certain degree, but then as these soilders show us....adapting and enduring is half the battle. I applaud them and stand with them in their fight....even if it is only in spirit....These soilders are the laterns in the night and the beacons of safety for all of us at home.
Kraig.... your comments are like poetry.... so very well said...so true.
I would only add that, regardless of what anyone thinks of this hell of a war we are involved in, let us NEVER loose sight of the fact that these Soldiers fighting the fight, offering their lives up every single day, are true American Heroes, every one of them. Never let them think we do not support them. We should, and we do. God bless them one and all. Be safe, come home soon, and get back to the real world. I salute you all. You are brave men and women. Our Nation is proud of you all.
I agree with leprechaun1230 Kraig. My son joined the Reserves during his junior year of high school and now that he has graduated and is off at AIT, I don't know what his future holds yet as far as going to Iraq or Afganistan, but it makes me feel very good to read so many supportive comments. I cry from the outpouring of well wishes to our soldiers, not knowing if my son will soon be over there or not. While I might not agree with the reasons we're there, I, give 1000 percent support to our troops no matter where they are, who they are or where/when they served. I'm able to reply to your comment because of generations (including my own family) of soldiers defending our freedoms. God bless all our soldiers and those who support them. I hope you all come home safe and soon. I am very proud of each and every one of them as if they were my own son or daughter.
Dudes, living in in some fortified compound makes you an easy target. Where are the snipers, .50 cal Barretts, mortars, artillery and air support, aggressive overnight patrolling outside the fence, to make life miserable for the enemy? It sounds like they are mostly defensive, affraid to go out, that's bad, in fact unwinnable.
You need to know more about COP Nolen to understand or even make sucha statement. You also need to understand the strict policies that govern photos of defensive/offensive positions. If they showed you the fence lines, the .50 cals, etc... we'd just be setting our boys up for failure.
Have you ever been there? They are fighting for your right to say this is unwinnable.
I am the proud mother of 2 US soldiers. One is in Iraq for the second time and the other is in Afghanistan for the first time.
I am proud of the US military and I support our troops.
its called opsec for a reason....
hey retard people go out of the wire everyday but you need to have people to protect the base from attack as you can see in the pictures,and because of that people that satay behind people like me that go out everyday can rest and sleep a little when we're inside. and ibet that you dont even a have half of the courage that take to sign that contract and be ther so please shut your moron and ignorant mouth!!!!!!!!!
This is the kind of stuff more Americans need to read and ponder as we go about our daily lives. I question the purpose and effectiveness of our involvement overseas, but I do not question the motivation of our brave troops to create a better world. Every Sunday, I read over the list of recently killed soldiers in my local paper. I turn their names, ages, hometowns and the circumstances of their deaths over in my mind as I pray for God's strength and comfort for their surviving family members, friends and loved ones. I pray that these fine men and women, most hardly more than teenagers, return safely home at the earliest moment. And I pray for a world where resolution of differences can be achieved through means other than armed conflict.
Nice to see that SGT David Stricklans and SSG David Chavez like soft porn strewn on their walls. Our men in uniform are not above objectifying women. What losers!
Who are you? you also probably support PETA.
@Holly... honestly? honestly? ...LOL!!! you're really going to say that. you don't know what its like to be out there. Maybe that's what keeps him going, a nice "view" away from the carnage they see every day. The female body is something that is beautiful and is still able to dumbstruck a man. and that's saying a ton right there! he could have anything on that wall. and playfully, "he's fighting for the girls back home" lol. take your low self esteem issue's elsewhere. just because a soldier or anyone for that matter won't pick you up, shouldn't turn you into such a prude. Keep it up boys! got that cold one on ice for you. cheers*
Guess what Holly? If you go to the women's barracks there are similar pictures of men on the walls. Has nothing to do with objectifying anyone. It is what keeps them smiling even when they could be crying.
Get over it, Holly! Talk about objectifying women--take a look at the Taliban and many other Muslim men. At least our guys are not stoning, genitally mutillating, etc. Muslim women.
Be thankful that you can complain about their pictures on the wall. You could be sitting in a Burqa covered head to toe and be stoned for saying what you did here. These guys are fighting for "YOUR" right to be offended by their pictures on the wall, or have you forgotten that?
This is way to funny! Holly, any comments? I didn't think so.
Holly- You must be a 200# slob to make a comment like that. Who gives a damn if those BRAVE souls have soft or hard core porn pics on there walls with insurgents are trying to KILL them. Wake up lady!!!
Ummm..Holly, I am a woman and I wouldn't care if they had betty boo in a thong on the damn wall. You worrying about the wrong thing.
Holly, I'm a feminist and I couldn't care less if they like soft, hard or mediocre porn. They are fighting a fight you wouldn't sign up for. Whatever gets them through their day.
Calling them losers is in really poor taste. You should be ashamed.
Losers? Is that what you want to call them? Because they place photographs on a wall in a run down, bullet ridden, dirty, mold filled building? It is obvious that you have never been on a Combat Outpost or a Forward Operating Base, or a larger installation in Afghanistan. Your days arent filled with inbearable heat and terror. And while you sleep in your comfy bed snuggled up next to what ever creature chooses to lay beside you. These men get to reflect on the buddy that died in their arms or the friend who lost a limb. If they are objectifying women, so be it! It is their distraction from the horrors they face day after day after day. Sadly these men as I have done, serve to protect the rights that allow you to form your own opinions and make statements in poor taste. And in all frankness they dont really care what you think of them. Because where they are, the only people who matter are the brothers to the left and right of them. Not some Latte drinking, Pekinese loving, Gloria Steinem subscribing, feminist with a big mouth and nothing good to say. And I apologise to Gloria Steinem for bringing her name into this.
Well, I guess my post mustered up something. First, my weight or looks have nothing to do with it. I should put my pic on here to clarify any misconceptions as to what I look like or don't look like. I won't do that however, because I won't justify anyone's two-bit, ill-conceived, childish insults. If I did put my pic up, people would probably say it wasn't even me. So, what's the point? Second, I still believe that we are fighting an unjust war. The problem now is that we have no choice in being there. I have deep military roots throughout my family and I believe that the majority of people that fight are people that have no other recourse other than going into the military. I also believe that the military lacks a strong set of morals and values. Bash me if you want. I don't care. I won't do the back and forth banter, so I will not post again.
I do want to say however, that I am thankful for my country and for the men and women who have died on my behalf. I am also thankful for the freedom to post my feelings without threat of retaliation. Just because I have a less than perfect view of the military, does not mean that I am anti-USA. It simply means that I think they may have some work to do in certain areas- as do we all. That picture, to me, displays a lack of morals and values. Call me anything you want, but that was just my own perception.
Holly,
I sat around trying to come up with something witty to say in response to your absurd and highly unpatriotic post.
They are young kids, thousands of miles from home, risking their lives daily for feminists and non-feminists alike.
Honestly, it's people like you that give feminism a bad name.
Give the kids a break, take a whiff of reality and get off your damn soap box and support our troops.
The fact that you referred to them as losers makes me think you are most likely a muslim feminist extremist and should be hunted down accordingly.
Seriously show some basic respect..... I'm going to go out now, buy as many pornographic magazines as I can and send it to them. God knows they deserve any little pleasure that can be afforded, whether it offends your skewed set of values or not.
MPH - Chandler - AZ
Based on your more recent comment " That picture, to me, displays a lack of morals and values"
I've lost my temper and ability to write rationally.
So instead, I will just say that you and your other feminist bible belt family value freaks should just be done away with, ideally sent directly to the Taliban as covert punsihment to the extremists.
Our soldiers R only losers to U. U Fukc'g bitgh. U who don't deserve to even live here! Tell me how U served Ur country today? ! Have U served with anyone EVER ?! Write and tell all of us what U do ! ! maybe U should live in Iran where U can dress in robes in the 120degree weather every day. Yes I'm a verteran of 9 yrs active and 6 in the reserves and Nat. Guard. So tell me I don't have the right to say what I THINK about a whord like U..U serving would be waiting tables I suppose ? Don't make up a story either..
Now, Now,everyone Holly is entitled to her own opinions. It is after all her right to do that, a right that thousands have died to protect. She is free to oppose the war and support the troops or anything else she may choose. The argument here isn't that she is a fat, right-wing, bible reading, extremist. Because I love Fat Women, Read the Bible, have my own opinions on the Right and Extremists. But that is for another thread and another time.
It is that she has chosen to make a negative comment on something she believes to be wrong. It is obvious that for someone whose family runs deeps with Military roots. That she has no understanding or concept of what it is to serve. I have served for 20 years this great country and I can tell you that the Military has a very strong set of Morals and Values. We kick people out on a daily basis for not living by them. In fact we may be the only organization outside of organized religion that enforces Morals and Values by incorporating it into every aspect of military life. Decision's are made with Morals and Values and what military members know has their services "Core Values". Mine are "Honor, Courage, Commitment" and in these are every value I learned as a child. It helps to bind my moral fiber and allow me to make hard and sometimes "unpopular" decisions. I will be the first to tell you that if you don't like seeing a picture of Soldiers who have scantily clad girls hanging on their wall. Well your fight isn't with the military but with the First Amendment to the Constitution and the Supreme court. Both of which say "I have the freedom to write, print, publish, or say whatever I want whenever I want." (Pssst...which by the way includes Pornography) As I mentioned before it has been bought and paid for with thousands of Lives. I would just urge you Holly that before you run off at the mouth about something that makes you angry or you disagreeee with. You educate yourself about the subject you wish to bring forth.
Holly,
Is that really what you noticed most in those pictures? I have found that military men are some of the most respectful men I have ever met so, really, who cares if they have posters of half naked or even naked women. If you want to start pointing fingers on morality that's fine, just don't do it at only the military. Most of us have had morality issues. I agree with everyone that said that whatever gets them through their days. I am so thankful to our men and women who serve in the military and who are fighting everyday for what we all believe in. They are heroes and should be recognized that way no matter what they have on their walls.
What the heck? Objectifying. Look it up in the dictionary, you'll find everything in that picture has nothing to do with objectifying. Side note; put yourself in their shoes. Anything to distract your mind or represent sanity in a time of war is coveted in their situation. Very trivial thought on your part.
Idiot but then that's my opinion every one is entitled to his or hers own
Well Holly,
This is SSG Chavez from the pic. Just thanking you for the kind words from someone who has no clue whats going on over here. Just letting you know those pictures were put up by other soldiers we relieved, we didn't put them up. One of those soldiers is no longer with us either. Thanks for sitting back in the states and mocking us when you have no idea what it's like to walk a mile in my shoes. You don't know what I've seen in the last month. Some brothers losing their lives and others losing limbs. Thanks for being ignorant. You'll never know whats going on and what sacrifices are made ever day. By the way I'm happily married and don't care about those pics. I never objectify women. I joined to serve my country. Not as a last resort. I used to be an accountant, so I have an education. If you knew what we've seen with our eyes you would stay quiet. So go back to your coffee shop and talk about more change without you taking any actions. When despite being a Sniper, I've cared for more people in Irag and Afghan than anyone talking about change over there. When you have helped more of the people over here than me let me know. Now go back to living blindly...
Folks,
I am a Soldier. I have been doing this job for quite some time now. I have heard a lot of people say "you join the military when you can't survive in the real world." I have a college degree and a masters…I could be making enough money to live quite conformably. But I joined, to be a part of something, something bigger than myself or my family. I am making a difference here (in Afghanistan) and Iraq. I don't worry about what people say. I live by this poem a Marine said many years ago…
It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer,
who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the soldier, who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
who allows the protester to burn the flag.
By Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
Don't worry about us. We all knew what we were doing when we signed up.
Sleep well America, we (the Soldiers) will be watching your back.
SSG Chavez and Soldier 2079609...
Thank you for all you do for us. Holly does not represent the American people that do support and stand behind all of the soldier's that are fighting for our freedom. When I saw those pictures on the wall, I just laughed and though "whatever it takes to get them through this". As someone said on this post, what about the pictures of who was it, Betty Grable back in what WW2?
I am not directly connected to anyone in the military except my niece's husband, he is in the Army and due back the end of the month. But looking at these pictures and other pics and video's of what is going on over there, I have never been more proud of the men and women that chose the military as their "life" and what you are willing to sacrifice for my freedom!
I say prayers everyday for all of you to come home soon...stay safe and God Speed...I love all of you!!!
SSG Chavez: There's nothing she can say after that.
Soldier-2077664: Inspirational poem.
As Debbie said, Holly doesn't represent everyone. My Friends and my Military family not only support you guys over there, shoot, if we're in a bar and learn there's a soldier in there! My friends know for a fact that individual is gettin a cold one me! lol, I was happier than a kid at Disneyland when my good buddy came home from Iraq! Gave him the ol' hero's welcome... for about half a week when he was visiting, don't remember much! lol we wouldn't let him buy, except for once when he wanted to buy for us. anyway, this got off topic. stay safe Chavez, and pay this Prude no mind.
words can not describe how completely ignorant this lady is. the next time someone gives you a set of orders and says: leave everything you know to fight for people you have never met, maybe you can grasp what they go through. ive been to afghanistan, ive been to the horn of africa. im staring a third deployment in the face right now and ive only got 4 and half years in so far. the comment about it being a last resort to people is terrible. some people do it for patriotism, some do it for the money, all sorts of different reasons, but if the "last resort" people didnt do it, your taxes can pay their welfare checks if youd like? i wont speculate on anything about her life, she just doesnt seem like someone with "steep military traditions", anyone with that sort of history is almost always a proud patriot or at a minimum supports the military no matter what because said person is usually raised to. that lady makes me sick, shed be that person spitting on soldiers returning from vietnam or holding up a girl power sign, give me a break.
Mike, you sound like a combat vet, and I am one myself, but do you think the media is actually reporting what is going on? I agree with you, but what are the ROE's, are they allowed to go out, I think the Obama administration has tied their hands by tightening the ROE. I am not trying to make this a poltical thing, but I truelly belive in letting the Soldiers fight the battle. At this time, the strategic implications need to be less important than the tactical ones. Win the fight first.
To the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday I simply say thank you......thank you for your service, dedication,courage and honor. May God Bless and keep our troops from harm!!
Yes, yes, keeping reminders of beauty and desire that is a natural part of the human condition obvioulsy makes these brave men "losers"...get real lady!
These puff pieces try to normalize war as if it a normal part of everyday life, like watching the *MASH* TV show. When was the last time Americans actually wanted a war to be over? The Vietnam war, when the real war came to our TV screens. How things have changed! Today's war is now interesting, engaging, funny, heartfelt, and uplifting.
We fight them "over there" because the message is so well controlled before it reaches here. The public is kept comfortable about war will buy the wars of choice that enrich our out of control military-defense-industrial-intelligence complex. American cannot afford everything. We cannot afford wars of choice, Wall Street bailouts, and health care. But Americans are generous people. Americans will gladly sacrifice a better life for ourselves for death in far away countries.
The death in Afghanistan that American taxpayers buy for $100 billion a year, is for a country with a GDP of $16 billion. For $100 billion a year, there has to be more economically efficient and better choices than war for the Afghans as well as for the American taxpayer.
You just have to love them. I hope they know how much people care.
My, how we have changed. I don't recall any of our soldiers who fought during WW11 being criticized for a picture of Betty Grable hanging in their locker. Get a life lady.
Veteran of Korea and Vietnam
I recently had a mild anxiety attack over the fact I was turning 40. Then I realized....
I get to wake up every morning in a nice soft bed next to my husband. And often my children too. They don't.
I get to work in a safe and cool/warm office. They don't.
I get to spend the holidays with my family and make it memorable for them. They don't.
I get to be the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy whenever the situation calls for it. They don't.
I get to drive in traffic and complain about it. Because of them.
I get to shop, eat, relax, play with my kids and lead a happy life. Because of them.
A lot of these men and women won't get to turn forty. If they do, they are there in that hell hole away from their families. If they do, they are thankful. And so am I.
I am thankful to them that I get to get old, and be happy about it.
Thanks Lola....that made me cry some red, white and blue tears!!! I hope you don't mind, but would like to share that with some of my Marine families!! God Bless
Of course. And please thank them for me.
Will do....thank you!!
Lola...I could not have said it better!!!
Holly, the comments that you made concerning the pictures on the walls, well sorry, but I laughed when I saw them...whatever it takes for these soldiers to make it through another day, I say GIVE IT TO THEM...they deserve it and if I could I would also go out and buy some of the magazines and send them over to them!!!
And to all the soldier's fighting for my freedom...I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!
Come home safe and soon...GOD SPEED!!! I love all of you!
Thank you for focusing on what is important OUR SOLDIERS away from home at risk 24/7 Support them and their familes.
All I want to know is who is the John Wayne character in the one image standing up in the middles of a fire-fight while everyone else is ducking for cover?
Judging by his pants and the RPG-7 in the background, he is an Afghan National Army Soldier. They are an interesting bunch to have around with then going gets rough. Some of them believe so ferverently in what they are doing and will go to extremes to make the objective. (Like stand up in a fire fight).
Thanks to the men and women who serve and sacrifice their lives so we can enjoy our freedom.And to my son serving in Afghanistan,I love you and miss you.
I too am a mother of a soldier fighting in Afghanistan and yes, they do go out of the wire, in fact for days at a time. They climb mountains daily that would kill most of us and they fight a very sneaky enemy. I must say the former posts made me cry. I thought most people had pretty much put our deployed military on the the back burner. God knows the news doesn't show much (and no, they won't tell you the absolute whole story for the protection of our military, nor should they.) It was heartwarming to see that so many still care and are proud of our military men and women. Thank you for that. It does make it easier.
You should take your lazy butt over there and fight the fight! In my opinion, they can display whatever they like. They are defending your right to say whatever you want you sick selfish misunderstanding wench!
I didn't bother to count, but Holly lost this battle! To the Soldier's in Afghanistan, keep it up, we kicked butt in Iraq, and now we can focus on Afghanistan.
It is odd. This interblog bickering. I was a soldier once. I wore a crisp white uniform of an officer and my biggest worry at the time was getting dirt on it.
Few people who write on this 'page' could ever commandeer the stamina, courage or simple guts to perform the duties that are shown by these men in the photos here. I know I could not.
My simple recommendation is that you should be positively thankful that there is no draft- and- that there is an abundant supply of volunteers willing to undertake this untenable and unenviable task. Stop whippering about photos on the walls and be thankful for these men (and women). Go and try 120 heat for an hour. You will fail. Blinding sun, blistering heat and the thought of death lurking constantly.
Holly,
I send HOT pictures of myself to my husband over there in Afghanistan. He plasters them all over his walls too. Does that make him a loser? Does that make me a slut? NOPE. It reminds him of home!!!! I boost his MORALE!!!!!!!!!!!! You don't know a damn thing about any of it.
Sincerely,
A VERY PROUD ARMY WIFE
Good for you, I hope your husband makes it home safe :)
I would do the same thing. I would have started sending them at the beginning of the war. Except, well, my husband isn't in the military and would frown upon my hot shots being sent abroad.
I felt bad for these men and women because from movies and other sources, made it seem like even after fighting all this time, they're rest time was hell also. I'm just glad they get a relaxing time because honestly these people above all else really deserve it. Haha, I'm actually kinda jealous of the hammock right now. Hope they're doing well!
Brave men??? Hmmm.. I wonder why we have american military bases all over the world??? To make the USA a safe and a better place??? I wonder if saddam (who riegned iraq for god knows how long ever thought of taking a trip to the US and threaten ya) was ever a threat to the american ppl..Was he going to drop a huge bomb placed in his hand laggauge?? Or were the afghans who can hardly put fuel in their 4x4's let alone a jet, come over and polverise america?? I wonder what the vietnamese or the japs ever said anything to piss the US off?? God knows how long and how much Bush spent in his term of office to "smoke out" Osama?? Well i dont see smoke nither do i see osama anywhere! New York has one of the highest crime rates in the world...From rape, murders, Gang wars, drug problems and i can go on and on..Why not send the troops their?? Sort it out innit?? My point is, Charity begins at home...lets sort out our back yards first and stop trying or showing to the world that 'We care about foreigners" Mother teresa was in a league of her own, all we do is slip our nose in other countries, get our men killed and vice versa and for what?? Well hell i dont even know why the american soldiers are there in the first place!! Oh Oh i know....To make the US a safer place!!!
Get a life and do what you lot do best....watch telly for most of your life spent
And to those who say muslims stone or genitally abuse whatever it was, Get a freakin life....Tell me what morals you have rather then judging others?? You lot cant stay married for more then a month, you have teenagers committing suicides almost everyday, you have gays who now want to be legally married, young pregnancies in skool, rapists ,wife swaps, ......Basically all the degrading things AND 60% alchoholics!! Jeez i dont hear any sort of those things in afghanistan, iraq or in any muslim world!!What israel is doing to the palastinians is A ok??? where in the world is the american troops to nuetralise that????
So stop going onn about being brave about a pointless freakin war!!!
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2010/0714/In-Afghanistan-drug-rehab-for-children
At least we don't dope up our kids on opium.
Oh yeah, you chose the less immoral cocaine, heroin, and crystal meth, bravo.
uhh junaid...let me guess, by the way you write you are from the UK? Well let me fill you in on a little secret....I was a victim of a romance scam from someone that was from....wait for it.........LONDON!!!! And I have since found out that the UK is also a HOT SPOT for scammers along with Nigeria and Ghana, and they are using US Military soldier's pictures and personal information to run these scams. And the money that they get is probably used for terrorists!
At least the American people don't do that!!!
And you talk about drugs most of it is brought in to the US by...foreigners who want to line their own pockets
So don't come on here and start bashing the US and the war since you have no clue as to what is going on in your own back yard!!!
Wow! Holly the remark about people entering the military because they have no other recourse almost made me throw up. The military roots you have must have been dishonerably discharged or AWOL. My brother is in Afghanistan right now serving his second tour. Look up 3/6 kilo company on google and read a little about war. His stories are herendous to say the least. He signed up knowing exactly what he was getting into. Oh yeah he has a wife and two sons back home here, it was his morality and patriotism that signed him up. Not lack of "recourse" The word of the day should be "entitled" which is what every soldier IS while over there to hang whatever photo they want.
Holly i hear you loud and clear....I luv south park too! .........Sod all those ppl slagging you off...women have the right to preserve thier dignity and not stick lil patches of nudity for every man or american soldier to be incredibly perverse, ogling at obscene photos of female strippers when they should be contemplating their next move to 'make america a better place'!!
I can only say this.....dont blame the men for doing so, they are far from home and in need of jerking off once in a while!!
When we were stationed at a NATO base, the Brits & other Europeans hung posters of completely nude women in their offices. This was not in a war zone where they were away from loved ones for months or years at a time, either. In Bosnia there was so much porn downloaded to the computers at night that the servers had to be wiped every morning. I suggest that before you criticize another nation's habits, you should really look closely at your own first.
Hey junaid , i bet your parents are proud of you why don't you go into the other room and thank them.
Holly, you say that these men are "objectifing women", if I am not mistaken these pictures are from magazines that you can buy any where in the states. The women in these pictures were paid money to pose and know that they are put in a magazine. So what does that say about these women? Are they objectifing themselves? I say no. So let us have our bit of sanity. Oh by the way, you are welcome.....for the right to critize anyone at any time. That is what I am fighting for. Our freedoms to do say and do what we want. Even if it is popular or not. I took an oath to follow the orders of the President of the United States and the Officers appionted over me. And that is exactly what "we" will do. Again thank you, I know that we are doing our jobs. God bless America and all that protect her. Thanks to all the supporters out there!!!
G.I. at war...
THANK YOU for all you and your fellow soldier's do for my freedom...you have my up most respect!!!
STAY SAFE AND ALL OF YOU COME HOME SOON.......WE ALL LOVE YOU!!
I want to say "Thank you" for your service and also want to let you know that I try to remember to say prayers each day for all our military, not just during the holidays. I pray for your safety, guidence, comfort, protection, faith, hope and strength while you are away in a foreign country and also when you come back home. My prayers are for you and your family. There are lots of people here at home thinking of you and praying for you.