tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582018265179634776.post5909190891935680357..comments2023-09-23T11:26:12.831-04:00Comments on American Ranger: From My War Journal: Flight to KurdistanCharles M. Grist:http://www.blogger.com/profile/02319304400849734764noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582018265179634776.post-55507470286895083112007-07-20T11:17:00.000-04:002007-07-20T11:17:00.000-04:00"In this part of the world everyone must look out ...<I>"In this part of the world everyone must look out for themselves to some degree.<BR/>I certainly saw that the Kurds looked at themselves as Kurds first; I understand why they feel that way.</I><BR/><BR/>Agreed.<BR/><BR/><I>I still greatly admired them for their courage and I was proud to associate with the Peshmerga.</I><BR/><BR/>While no people are perfect, the more I learn about them and their history, the more I admire them as well.<BR/><BR/>I think that quite possibly the best representation in the region of ideals such as self-determination, hard work, liberty, etc... <BR/><BR/>The Kurds have far more in common with us than other people in the region do.<BR/><BR/>Keep up the good work on your blog, I'm interested in seeing more of your writing.<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/>DAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582018265179634776.post-40367471306620924802007-07-19T18:56:00.000-04:002007-07-19T18:56:00.000-04:00I can't think of one thing I would disagree with. ...I can't think of one thing I would disagree with. In this part of the world everyone must look out for themselves to some degree. I certainly saw that the Kurds looked at themselves as Kurds first; I understand why they feel that way. I still greatly admired them for their courage and I was proud to associate with the Peshmerga.<BR/><BR/>SFC Chuck GristCharles M. Grist:https://www.blogger.com/profile/02319304400849734764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5582018265179634776.post-10174259763691632742007-07-19T13:47:00.000-04:002007-07-19T13:47:00.000-04:00SFC Grist,Interesting post, one I'm glad to find a...SFC Grist,<BR/><BR/>Interesting post, one I'm glad to find as not enough is written about what goes on up north.<BR/><BR/>A little feedback about your post.<BR/><BR/><I>"At least one Iraqi thought enough of Americas sacrifices to write it down. If there was one Iraqi that felt this way, then there were ten; if there were ten..."</I><BR/><BR/>It is important to realise and understand that the vast majority of Kurds view themselves as Kurds first and as Iraqi's a very distant second.<BR/><BR/>Several things from your own post support this;<BR/><BR/><I>"I was born in the shadow of the Kurdish flag in Mahabad and I am ready to serve and die for the same flag." ~Massoud Barzani, President of <B>Kurdistan</B></I><BR/><BR/><I>"The Iraqi flag wasnt flown anywhere. The Kurds proudly displayed their own banner, the Kurdistan tri-color..."</I><BR/><BR/>It is worth digging in the history a bit more for a greater understanding of how the Kurds really feel as we (the USA) left them hanging high and dry more than a few times in the past.<BR/><BR/>In the 1980s our military and intelligence services even spun things to pin the Halabja gassing and others on the Iranians. Why? Because at the time Saddam was our proxy fighting the Iranians.<BR/><BR/>Our govt knew these things were happening to the Kurds yet we turned a blind eye towards it.<BR/><BR/>Do a little reading on the Anfal Operations and how it started as well as Kissingers connections to the Kurds and you will get the idea.<BR/><BR/>The bottom line is this.<BR/><BR/>The Kurds are serious realists and as such they know that:<BR/>-we will leave eventually...<BR/>-despite our promises and allusions of continued support we have repeatedly failed to follow through in the past... (allies of convenience)<BR/>-they have enemies on all sides that they will have to deal with, without our help, when we are gone.<BR/><BR/>Thus we see and will continue to see the Kurds engaging in diplomacy with people that we'd rather they not - such as Iran, etc...<BR/><BR/>Also, given a reasonable chance for true independence they will break away in a heartbeat, US interests and desires be damned.<BR/><BR/>Regards,<BR/>Dakota (a fellow soldier and husband of a Kurd)<BR/>dakotaaviator$gmail.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com