Putting My Money where my mouth is. My View of Iraq from the inside.

Good to hear from you, Rob.

Is the thinking that attacks are down because of the surge working or because of Sadr's cease-fire? I know it is a complex issue, and it is great that attacks are down, but I'm just wondering what the lessening of attacks is attributed to.

Thank you for doing this; yours is probably a better view of this situation than almost any other source out there. I hope to read more from your perspective.

Thank you Rob for writing this, it is nice to hear of things in Iraq from someone who is actually Your words are important and I personally appreciate everything you write.

Keep up the good work!

It's nice to read about positive things coming out of Iraq.

Thanks Rob.

Thanks for the report and perspective, Rob. I'm for completing the mission.

Rob, always good to read about Iraq from one of the guys who are actually on the ground there, as opposed to mainstream media, especially from one of the Vine's very own.

Side topic : I am interested in the unit/specialty patches on your arms?

Thanks for the report, Rob. It's good to hear from someone who is actually there on a daily basis. I look forward to future reports.

Thank you for your service and reports. Keep them coming.

Excellent article, thanks for your service and updates! I hope that you find the service as enjoyable as we find our freedom!

The Whiz

Thanks, Rob, for your continued reporting. It is good to hear from you.

It is also good to hear that attacks are down and life for the Iraqis is getting more back to normal. That mindset shift can only be a positive thing for ending the terrorists' actions in Iraq.

Good to hear you and please don't think we would ever find your articles boring. It is always awesome to hear from someone at the front. As you know I'm also a staunch war hater, but tis nice to hear things are somewhat better and sounds like it's coming from the residents.

Let's just get everyone out of there and see how they can be a soveriegn nation on they're own.

Thanks again Rob and we would sure like to hear from the locals about the gratitude for the sacrifice your making.

Forest

I can't promise anything ground breaking or worthy of many other writers here. But what I can promise you is the truth and what I observe on my missions and daily life here in Iraq.

Rob that is priceless. For so many of us who are jaded, cynical from being lied to time and again, the Pinocchio factor goes along with nearly every officially sanctioned report.

The basic tone of "news" feels so much like PR spin coming from everyone from Green Zone to the Pentagon.

Here you are with the words shared with friends, giving us the chance to see through your eyes. You can not see everything, but a glimpse of what is truthfully happening around you. That helps take us to a place, far closer than any of us could feel otherwise.

It does something else too, it helps to remind us that for all our differences in culture and politics, we are able to put aside those things that separate us for shared ideals and basic respect for our fellow human beings. There is a hefty dose of respect due anyone who puts their money where their mouth is.

As a friendly voice at Newsvine and for those who are in your life beyond here, there is a concern for your safety. It puts a bit of heart in the game and maybe emphasizes the idea that we care for those we know. Maybe our friends lists should cast as wide a net as possible and look more at where we can find ways to find solutions rather than conflicts, in every sense of the word.

May friends find their way into your life and keep you safe, until you are back with the ones, who love you most.

Hi, Rob,
We haven't met before --
I just want to say don't sweat not having any razzle dazzle report of a combat mission or news from the front. We just appreciate getting an honest report of what it is really like. Go ahead and write about stuff you're afraid will be too boring - you might surprised how people back home relate to stories about the chow or the boring routines or the weather or whatever.
And come home safe, y'hear?

Rob, thanks for doing this (both serving and writing). I really appreciate it. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know.

By the way, how is internet access for Iraqis? And how many of them speak English?

Hi Rob

I think your view from the inside is invaluable. One of the things we need most is good communication so that we can understand what is really happening, and so we can understand better how conflict arises.

You may be interested to know that there was a recent report on the BBC that things were calming down in Iraq and businesses were getting back to doing business on the streets. It was a week or two ago, so I can't remember much more than that.

I can only quote Pamela, who said it all:

Maybe our friends lists should cast as wide a net as possible and look more at where we can find ways to find solutions rather than conflicts, in every sense of the word.

May friends find their way into your life and keep you safe, until you are back with the ones, who love you most.

Rob,

Another great article, as only you can tell it. The thing you have to remember, any news from you is good news! That means you are safe!

There are a number of things that need to change with mainstream media, this is one, but as you know they are fairly liberal, so you will only hear of the proponents of the war

Carepackage #2, is on its way... I am mailing it today.

Mel

Is your MOS the reason for no interaction? Is there some sort of rule they have now to chase off reproach against the troops about mistreating the citizens of Iraq?

My son was there twice as Marine recon through Operation Iraqi Freedom and then Fallujah.
For whatever reason, he interacted with people from Iraq quite a bit.

After that time, some of my nephews have gone and come back and they report what you have, (not much contact with the population).
I am relieved that you are here, Rob. There has been too much speculation based on media information and not enough input from our flesh and blood fellow Americans for me.

We hear very little of this on the mainstream media, it seems only the bad news makes the headlines. It makes people not want to believe there is any good going on over here.

Got it in one, Rob. The media, in particular, use bad news and fear to sell their papers and so that is the staple fare. Whip the readers up in a frenzy instead of passing on the truth. It is lovely to hear from you because I never knew you were serving in Iraq, I thought you were reporting from there.

You have given a real account of life there, thank you for the enlightenment, and that is always better than secondhand rumour. Just hang in there for your tour, Rob, because we are all hanging in there with you!

You're a good man, Rob Ballew.

Rob,

Thank you for your service to our country and your willingness to put it on the line everyday.

I hope that articles like yours become more mainstream so that Americans can get the truth about what is happening in Iraq.

I know several young men from my church who are serving in Iraq as well including some who are returning by choice as you have. They all report the same kinds of things that you do. Positive change is taking place and ordinary Iraqis are being allowed to start to experience a life of more normalcy than they have ever experienced.

Regardless of your own beliefs, I want you to know that you are being prayed for.

Rob,

Thanks for this report. I felt it needed a wider audience and just Newsvine, so I Freeped it.

Keep up the great work.

First and foremost, Mr.Ballew, hats off to you and all who serve their country in uniform. You make the sacrifices so that politicians can look good without sacrificing life,limb or family. I respect you for stating the media is bias,at times,on both sides. In today's America, that is a dangerous thing to say. Given all that has happened since March of 2003, those who are not on the ground in Iraq can have a hard time seeing the forest from the trees. May God watch over you and all the troops. Hoping that all of you will have as peaceful a Xmas as possible.

Thanks for the report, Rob...looking forward to more! Like one poster wrote, don't worry about writing the "boring stuff." Strangely, we are interested. It makes your experience all the more real and relate-able.

Again, thanks for serving!

Rob, you are a jewel! Thanks for your report. It leads me to believe my view of Iraq from afar is not so far off. There is one line in your article that makes me believe cooler and more reasoned heads are in charge these days.

The fact we have no interaction with the Iraqis, a fact I have complained about on a few occasions.

I know this is one of the things you decry about your present tour of duty but it just so happens it is the main reason for the success of the surge, in my opinion. Once a Status of Forces Agreement is established (if ever) the real interaction can begin. If our military becomes entwined with the every day economy of Iraq, Americans may well turn out to be heroes to the overwhelming Iraqi community.