[MEDIK418]

Molly. . .first off, nobody is bagging on anyone. Get off your high horse for a minute and read what's been said. Steve Berg was doing about the same thing you are doing. I haven't bagged on him and to my knowledge I haven't bagged on you. I simply stated that to me. . the risk isn't worth the money. To me, greed is pretty much a potent driver for folks who go to places like Iraq to work for the contractors. Face it, if you weren't as greedy as you are, and you truly had a penchant for doing your duty to our military, you'd be in the military doing your thing for your country. To me there's absolutely nothing wrong with what you're doing or where you're doing it but face it, if it paid Allsups wages, you'd be somewhere else no matter how many communications challenged Marines are in Iraq.
Another thing, nobody said you're stupid! Thank you for doing what you do but do you really feel the need to stand on a soap box and demand we pay homage to you for your tireless contribution to our military?
Get off the tirade and be thankful your head is still attached. My hat is off to those who have what it takes to go to a place as inhospitable as Iraq is and do what they do for whatever they are paid. To date, I've never seen anyone rant for our thanks like you just did. (except maybe John Kerry) I was taught to let others praise you without asking for it. If it happens, you probably deserve it, if you gotta solicit it, you probably don't.
Before you start thinkng I don't have a stake in Iraq and don't have a right to speak, be aware, my son is a U.S. Marine in Iraq and has been there for about 3 months now with NO DAYS OFF! He works a 14 hour day most days and his commute consists of a 45 minute run through sand fine enough to pour through a coffee strainer. His free time is spent doing not much because he only spends about 30 dollars a pay period and I suspect a lot of that goes for socks and handi-wipes. He's still got until March before he comes back and he has NEVER ONCE complained to anyone I know of about the conditions over there or how mizerably he's treated by anyone. And get this . . he does it all for a heck of a lot less than you are dragging down.
I stand by what I said. a hundred grand pales in comparison to the look on a parent's face when they see their loved one carved up like a turkey for all the world to see and laugh at.
To me. . .it's just not worth it. If it's your cup of tea, fine, I'm proud you are getting to do what you like. Did you ever think it might be your almighty attitude that causes that scorn from the military folks ?
I apologize for coming off as strong as I feel I have. I just saw an old freind who told me the young man I mentioned in my previuos post who was in the Bradley that got car-bombed in Baghdad? He is going to be in San Antonio this week to make a decision. Whether or not to amputate his left foot or spend the next year and a half in surgery trying to save it. I guess your post just kinda struck me wrong. still does for that matter.