Whats the problem this time?

Dear Everyone.
Well I just have to say, we’ve been watching the news over here and let me tell you, this whole news about the Muslims getting pissed off about something the Pope said really aggravates me. I know lots of people aren’t going to like this but what is wrong with Muslims? I’m not talking about all Muslims, just the radical “crazy” ones who go nuts over any little thing. They’re always mad about something and if they aren’t burning effigies at something or someone, they’re just ticked off at the U.S. in general. The Pope mentions something about their prophet teaching hate and how do they react? They burn churches and kill nuns. Well I’m convinced. Don’t they realize what they’re doing? All this is achieving is perpetuating the classic Muslim “Kill the infidels!” stereotype. Who cares what the pope says, does anyone listen to him anyways? So why would they react in such a violent way to something the pope, somebody they don’t even respect, had to say about Muhammad or whatever. Why cant they just act like civilized people for once in their lives? Heck, once in their ENTIRE EXISTANCE! All they are known for is praying a ridiculous amount, starting wars and terrorizing people. So far they’ve accomplished 2 out of 3 just in this paragraph alone.

Now I’m not here to judge, but it seems they aren’t getting their butt’s kicked hard enough by the U.S. as it is, so I suggest we take it up a notch. Why don’t we have every terrorist come out of his cave, put on a fresh pair of underwear (soon to be soiled) and meet us face to face. Of course that would never happen because that’s what makes them terrorists in the first place. They are too weak to influence people the normal way, so they resort to terrorizing people into getting what they want. Why did the pope have to say anything in the first place? Does he even know what he’s talking about? This is a classic example of; “If you don’t have anything nice to say about Muslims, don’t say anything at all.” Unfortunately for them that’s not the case. We already learned that cartoons send them right over the edge so of course anything that isn’t praise is probably going to be received as sheer hatred. The Pope could have kept his big Holy mouth shut and saved me from spewing a whole bunch of verbal diarrhea in the general Muslim direction.

Now that I’ve calmed down, I have to go work. The Mexican president better not do anything else imprudent. He’s next on my list of Ridiculous things that irritate me.

~ian

So much Noise!

Well it’s still hot out here. I guess that’s pretty much the norm. I am sorta used to all the harriers and jets flying over. I still can’t believe how loud it gets around here. It’s almost deafening every time something flies over. It feels like your head is about to explode if your too close to the flightline. Don't get me wrong, it is pretty cool to see jets take off and land all the time, but sometimes I don't know if it's worth it. They keep at least one prowler in the air at all times for security reasons. Their job is to fly over cities, detect IED’s with whatever high-tech thing they have, and alert troops on the ground so they can destroy it. That’s all they do out here. The unit I am out here with is VMFA 242, and you can see some of the bombs they have dropped online at youtube.com or any other web site like that.

I cant stress this enough, the noise is mind-numbingly aggravating and I don’t think I will be able to stand it much longer. As I’m typing this, multiple jets have taken off and landed and every time it happens the table starts shaking and everyone else starts looking around. How can I describe it? When a jet lands, it sounds exactly like a rocket is about to hit something. I will try to catch it on video for you all. Hey is there a place online where I can post videos? If so, I will post some footage and you can see how things are in more perspective.

Let’s see, what else is going on right now? Oh, we just got our company vehicle, which just so happens to be an ambulance. They also gave us a Hummer, but that’s only for emergencies. I am taking a hummer driving class on Wednesday which I hear is pretty easy.
I guess I stressed a lot about the noise. I just hate it so much. Next time I will stress about something else.
That’s all for now. I’ll keep you updated at least once a week.
Love
~ian

This is a toe we had to cut out because it was ingrown. Fun stuff.

Time still drags on.

Dear Everyone
Well Its August 30th right now, at 13:30 and it is cooking outside. It is 119 degrees out right now, and the air conditioning needs to be shut off for an hour because they are doing construction outside. I’m inside watching “Big Fish” and just wanted to say hi to all of you. I don’t think I am fully acclimatized to the weather out here yet. Every time I go running I run out of energy and get tired so fast. I wonder how much longer this is going to go on. The only TV channels we get are whatever the “Armed Forces Network” is showing at the time. Which is fine I guess, considering I haven’t had TV since I joined the Navy.
Everything is fine though. We’ve only been attacked once, and I didn’t even hear it. This base is so big though. It was a very beautiful airport they say, until we came in and killed all the plant life here. We use some of the underground bunkers that Saddam used when he visited this place. The Cans we stay in are pretty nice. They are big enough to fit 4 people comfortably, although we don’t have enough room to hold all our stuff. I throw all my stuff on the top bunk above me. There are some good things about working here though. I get to see some pretty crazy injuries like abcesses and ingrown toenails. Nothing like gunshots or anything, but still pretty cool.
The only problem is this one girl who works with us. She is an E-5 and I am only an E-2. Taking advantage of this, she keeps calling me little one. Like I’m some sort of small child who doesn’t know any better. And it’s not a cute nickname or anything, it bugs me and she knows it. Every time I see her I can always expect an unwelcome: “Hello little one.” And on top of that, everyone who has been here longer than me calls me Junior. Isn’t that a great little nickname? Well I don’t think so. It’s ok because I know it won’t last forever. Will it?
Alright I have to go now. It’s cooking in here and I have to go do some stuff. I love you all and hope to hear from you when you get the chance.
Later
~ian