Going Out On a Limb
I say this because this post is pertaining to the two contractors that were recently killed in Iraq. Eugene Armstrong was the latest victim of the radicals who seem to target contractors on Iraq. I said going out on a limb because I am going to make some harsh statements about some things, and in no way to I want to trample the lives of these men who were killed. It is a terrible thing that it happened and could have been avoided if a hotheaded president didn’t lie about evidence simply to get his paws on some oil.
On Good Morning America today they stated that they (the contractors) went over to Iraq to "help the Iraqi people rebuild". This kind of thing is great for the papers, TV, and obtaining sympathizers on your side but here comes the brutal reality of this; I am almost sure it wasn’t about the willingness of these contractors to help the people of Iraq. It was about money, the obscene amount of money these people get for working in such dangerous conditions voluntarily unlike the men and women of the armed forces who were ordered to go there. In fact I would say a vast majority of the contractors over there have no real interest in helping the Iraqi people rebuild, and they may hold a deep down hatred for them.
I have heard of people getting paid six figure salaries for going over there knowing full well that they should avoid that area at all costs. They know that the United States government will not negotiate with these people to save the life of a civilian who ignored all the travel warnings and went for the money. If they did it would totally disgrace the men and women who have died in this reckless operation of Iraq. The contractors are given all the warning in the world, that going there is a bad choice, but the money is the sirens call for these individuals who choose to roll the dice.
Again please do not mix this up with the men and women of the armed forces who are fighting constantly over there. They are being paid a fraction of what these contractors are, and at best they get wartime pay. I have no idea what percentage increase that is over their base pay but I am sure it is still minuscule compared to what the civilians are being paid. And I reiterate they were ordered to go over there, they were not given a choice.
I am sure there are some that think I am a heartless bastard who doesn’t know what it feels like to loose any one special in their family, and there even may be a few of you that agree with certain points that I make. Those are just my thoughts on the situation.
posted by Rainman @ 7:59 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
It's true that the contractors are getting paid a lot for going over there and basically risking their lives to get things situated. But I do not think that they hate the Iraq people. Being one of the people going to Iraq, there is a sense of pride knowing that the work I do will help make Iraq free. I get a sense of pride knowing that I am helping get things going and functional. If you ask me if I would go over for let's say $40,000? I would say if I didn't have children, I would, Mostly for the experience and being able to be a part of something so much bigger than me. Since I do have children, two girls, it would be hard to leave them for that. It is both, the montary incentive doesn't make it harder to leave my girls. I am going because I want to help my kids have a sturdy financial foundation. I am going to stick to the rules my company has set forth, such as never leaving the base and other things. I am going for both reasons. To help my family financially and to help the people of Iraq. It was the hardest decision I have made in my life and I pray to God I chose correctly. I will leave my heart here in the United States and I know I will return in 12 - 15 months knowing I helped my country and my family.
On a side note, I hope everything stays awesome here and I'll miss you punk :P
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