Diary of a mad military wife

[Solly Mack]

That would be me. I keep a journal to myself and to my husband stationed in Iraq. He will be moving soon-going "north"..which means greater danger.

Hey _________.


The other day the top FORSCOM General came for a visit to answer our questions and to address any of our concerns.

Prior to the meeting we held a briefing on what we could and could not ask. We also were told who we could and could not invite. "No one can embarass the General." I sneered just a bit..afterall, they were telling me (of all people) to keep the "wrong" sort out.

Naturally, depsite this, some wildcards got through. Imagine that.

Basically we were told it is a 1 year deployment until June of 2004 when it will become a 6 month deployment. OK, so I knew this when he left. 1 year. Gotcha.

We were told there will be an 180 day stablization period afterward..per SOP. UNLESS there is another conflict arising. Now, what are the chances of that happening with Chucklenuts in office?

There are a LOT of angry women here. So many benefits are being slashed and they know it. They let their anger show. To be fair, there was a lot of anger at some truly dumb stuff, too. Mostly though, the anger was well founded and it appears to be growing daily.

We need to do a fundraiser for the highschool to help with the cost of educating military children. Make note. Talk to ________. Maybe we can buy books, chalk and erasers.

Our outreach program to parents is hit and miss..usually it's them hitting and me ducking. They are angry as well and I have no answers. I tell them to direct their anger to D.C. ...but I'm handy so it's me they go after.

I have to go to TRICARE and learn why they aren't insuring our dependents of National Guard that was activated and attached to our BN. Even though we were assured that "all" are covered, TRICARE says differently. Thrill. Thrill. You know how much I adore dealing with those assholes.

And the spouses of the company-what can I say about them? Some are just tired. Most are beyond frustrated and a few..a vocal few.. wouldn't be happy if they inherited Dick Cheney's retirement package from Haliburton. Speaking of which, how's Iraqi' oil wells coming along? I know. I know. Sorry.


And the killer is, it's those frumps who adore Shrub. It's those idiots that praise the war, call all muslims evil and think the resident malaprop is the second coming. They bitch about anything and everything but never once look to find the cause of the anger. They rather direct it at the people on Rush Limbaugh's approved list of people to hate.

I'm still being called a witch for refusing to allow prayer at secular meetings. Next I'm sure I'll be elevated to a Lucifer lover, blood drinker and cat killer. I can't wait..wonder what the perks are?

I'm still that "damn democrat"...and I do feel like the last one in captivity. Though I recently found a kindred spirit that can't speak the name Bush without wretching. She's from Little Rock. :)

Dogs are fine. Cats are well..cats. We now have a guinea pig named Baby. I'm fairly certain she's a republican operative-she ate my Greg Palast book. I bought another one after you took the other copy with you to Iraq. Guess it's back to the book store for me.

more to follow..talk soon.

[ewagner]

1. Just a note

of admiration.

Talk about being down "in the trenches". Wow.

My life is a veritable picnic compared to yours! You are obviously a person of strong character and will. We need a lot more of you. (cloning?)

There isn't much I can do for the troops except bitch loudly at the politicians and, fortunately, my local is Cong. Dave Obey who a MAJOR bitcher in Congress.

The best I can do for you right now is offer encouragement and a
:toast:

[NewYorkerfromMass]

2. "Chucklenuts"

LOL!!! That's a new one on me. LOL right here at the office!
Thanks for sharing- prayers and good thoughts for you and yours.

[cmf]

3. Another mad military wife here.

It pisses me off when people diminish our complaints by saying, "Well, you knew what you were getting into when you married into the military." Knowing about the hardships doesn't negate our right to be angry!

I'm glad you were able to find a kindred spirit. I've met quite a few wives who are as liberal as me and with similar disdain for Bush. I think there are more than you think - they're just afraid to speak up because they assume everyone is conservative.

Keep strong and don't let them get you down! Take care.

[Droopy]

4. Best wishes to you and your husband

Maybe you can take solace in the fact that there are people here who would never have sent your husband to Iraq if they'd had their way and there are many who want to bring him home now. Count me in both of those categories.

I remember Wolfowitz going on tv and saying that we'd be in Iraq for six months to a year tops. Now it looks like it's going to be at least eighteen months and my guess is that it will be much longer than that. Gen. Franks testified not long ago that he thought we'd be in Iraq 2-4 years. I don't think they can keep your husband there that long, but I guess it might be possible that he could be re-deployed after some time stateside the way things are going.

[GOPFighter]

5. Hang in there...

Thank you for having the guts to speak out. I don't understand how so many military families can still support Bush while he continues to show nothing but contempt for those who he puts in harm's way. As a veteran, I sympathize with what you're going through, but it's people like you who are sowing the seeds of change. Some of those who oppose you now will begin to see you are right and eventually join the fight to kick GWB out on his ass.

:toast: