So should McCain and Graham

I am glad to see this get coverage. I was so apalled at this stunt. Who may I ask allowed this? I will not speak out against any officers in the military and with that said I have to believe it wasn't the generals fault. It seemed as if he was going along with this death trap because he was ordered to. Look deeply at this photo array. He has on no helmet, that is never allowed off post. That is suicide and against military doctrine. Some troops still have to wear their full battle rattle (protective gear) on thier camps. They don't get to walk freely inside the wire (on post). My last tour, (I was here last year this same time I only about 7 months at home before redeploying) we got motared so much we had to put on our gear and at times we couldn't go outside, not even to use the latrines. We also have to wear our helmets if we are in a tactical vehicle on post. Who sent that order to the general? He wouldn't need to boost his ratings or raise public opinion because he is who he is and he's running things in Iraq. He wouldn't have to do something that insanely stupid. I am disappointed in whomever sent the order. Does McCain have power to make that happen? The lives of all those troops were put at risk due to the fact that it was a huge circus out there. Cameras were in tow to show the willing Iraqi people. They aren't here for sight seeing and relatinships between the U.S. and the Iraqis are already strained to the point of breaking. Why would McCain even make himself sound worse by admitting he offered them money and that some wouldn't take it. They aren't peasants begging bread. They aren't elephants at a zoo waiting for peanuts. Talk about a waste of resources. He had all this protection and you'd have to believe that the area was surveyed for hours before and during. Sadly enough while he was trying to prove a point on the lives of the men and women (probably just male soldiers were in the 100) that fight and can't catch a ride out of here after pitures and speeches. So many could have died. Our vehicles come under sniper fire daily. Not to mention we don't get any where near this kind of protection on our daily convoys. How dare they do all of this for McCain.They would have had to clear that entire area. What we didn't see was the barracades and check points that were probably in place. Him coming probably locked the Iraqi people down and they weren't able to conduct buisness as normal. This is the most disrespect I've seen in a while. Hey, thanks for your hard work, lets go on a death mission with one pupose, make me sound less of a liar for saying how safe Baghdad is. I live in Baghdad, it is not safe. We still have deaths in my brigade and our convoys still come under fire (no air coverage on most cases either). We still have people planting bombs and suicide bombers are still there. Funny how the Stars and Stripes mid east edition had an article on the 3rd page explaing how the bombings are up just today. So maybe McCain was right, execution style killings maybe down. He never said anything about the rise in bombings. He scorned the media for their reporting tactics. He said they aren't reporting the good and they flood the American people with the horrors of war. I'm sorry McCain, but it grusome here. Yes, we have made strides since the build up we've found a couple of bomb making factries and we are making arrest and getting good intel. Only one problem, like roaches, if you spray for them in the house they'll go next door. The outlying neighborhoods on the outskirts of the capital are becoming more and more violent. He forgot that in his speech. He also forgot to mention all the planning involved in his little escapade. I apologize for this scrambled rant but I am highly upset. This is the worst thing I've seen in my two years in Iraq. McCain should never be president after this. I am not syaing that to sway voters, if he's your man have him. I say that because if he's willing to put the lives of so many in such a great deal of danger just to prove a point then I believe that he'll do the same thing on a larger scale if (i hope never) elected.

Alexander The Great rode at the head of his army. Our leaders walk in the middle of a circle made up of 100 soldiers to act as decoys with helicopters flying over head. Not taking away from McCain's sevice during Vietnam, but Alexander The Great he is not. And if McCain is not Alexander The Great (with his Vietnam service) what does that make George W. Bush. Do we even have any Alexander The Greats left among our leaders today?

Well, if you read my rant excuse me, I didn't read Mr. Johnsons' before hand. In most areas we get AFN and they have a news channel but I don't have a TV and I have been waiting on someone to comment on this on the net so bad. When I got the chance I would search for a story to see if anyone was speaking out about this crime to the military. I did however write about it on the 2nd on the last blog concerning McCain and the myspace mess. Maybe he should have to sleep with motars going off in his neighborhood and ride in real patrols through the real streets of Baghdad before they're cleaned. Maybe even be a parent knowing that your child clears streets and houses for the real mission everyday. This fiasco should be punished.

I believe that would make George Bush a deserter

Bush's plan for leaving Iraq is to have someone else take the blame for failure. No matter the cost in human lives and treasure, Bush will keep the war going long enough to get out of office and blame his successor for the already evident failure of his disasterous attempt to build empire. We must make the Repugnicans either cut him off or support his veto on the record ahd remember them in '08

On the upside for those who like the current administration a vote for McCain in 2008 will be just like getting to vote for a GWBush 3rd term.

This is typical republican strategy, its been going on for the last 2 years, they are simply trying to stretch this war out until conditions are minimally favorable to simply declare victory and leave, NO MATTER WHAT.

SDE, thank you for your honest, straightforward and courageous posts. It's good to hear what the men in harm's way think, rather than what the politicians tell us you think.

GP-Toronto: So right you are. A deserter of the American Ideal of leading the way in human rights, building friendships, assisting poor nations and starving people throughout the world, refraining from nation-building outside your own borders and forcing your beliefs on other peoples, and seeking peace at every turn unless attacked by a distinct and clearly identifiable enemy.

Query: Aren't John McCain's subsequent commentaries and opinions on his oh-so-casual peregrinations in Baghdad the walkabout equivalent of not having had sexual relations with that woman?

SDE - FTA brother. We are with you, but are just as powerless to bring quick change. Thankfully, we still have avenues such as this to expose the hypocrisy of guys like More-of-the-same-McCain. Please visit us again and keep us posted on how you’re doing over there. People are speaking out and momentum is building. You won't be stuck there forever. Keep the faith and keep your head down.

Lindsey Graham is a former military lawyer. In a truly telling comment way back in 2003 when the Republicans were feeling all rough and ready to phosphorize Iraq, "We'll leave Iraq when we've stabilized it and created a market economy." Putting the chamber of commerce in charge of the military is like putting Jeffrey Dahmer in charge of daycare. Where's those troops Jeffrey? Well, I'm thirsty for an oil reserve and needed a snack. It's my nature, I'm a murdering, lying Republican chemically bombing women and children for a market economy, sucking up my oil reserve and banking tax free in the Caymans!

C A. What we have is a bunch of Alexander the Lousy's, wandering around DC. SDE. If it was up to me, we'd both be boogie-boarding in beautiful Cam Ranh Bay. (From now on, I'm calling you, 'SDE the Great')

Steve Turner: Touche', and Ditto on SDE. SDE's service to this country is more than greatly appreciated. I just hope he/she does not get into trouble with his/her superiors for spending time on this blog . Hang in there SDE.

Troops put in harms way for a photo op? Not with this government! Is anyone else here as sickened as I am whenever an R uses the troops as props? Remember the sailors of the Abraham Lincoln who had to spend another day at sea to give Georgieboy his photoop. The Repugnicans are beyond disgusting and cowardly! BTW Why aren't there more people who were CORRECT about Iraq from the start given more camera time?

No trouble there, we get down time. The powers that be mandated it. Don't get me wrong not everyone does, but the higher ups attempt to give us a break. So, in my down time I search the net and read "news" stories to see who has any idea of what's really going on here. I get a kick out of the half stories that are being reported. It's weird being in the middle of something and then hearing a story about it and you know that certain things were left out (could be intel/sensitivity issues but not a lot).We have wireless internet in some areas, and we have internet cafes. KBR has set up loads of things for us here. Probably over priced, but hey, we're grateful. I want to thank you all but, I do this because it's my job. It's not all bad at work but the lies and misuse of troops bother me as it should others. I wonder if McCain is going to make any other statements regarding his trip. So far I haven't seen anything else from him.

Petraeus told Jim Lehrer that he thought this was a "pretty routine" trip to the market, just like when he usually goes and that the security was because "of course you don't want to lose a senior senator or a force commander." Granted - and it probably is routine for when he goes - but that in no way means it's a normal shopping trip, or that McCain was "walking freely". Petraeus may not have any choice in this dog and pony show, but McCain sure does.

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