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2004 In Retrospect W/OFeb 04 '05 Write an essay on this topic.
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2004 In Retrospect: The Write-Off - Hosted by dbcint #1 Name a person who has made a lasting impression on me during the last year. I have met some really neat people over the last year. I met several soldiers while serving in Iraq that I will never forget. There are a lot of you men serving in Iraq who you can’t help but admire. I had the pleasure of serving with many of them. Courage and compassion are very common in Iraq. I have also met a couple of soldiers in physical therapy that I have made friends with. One sergeant in particular who was shot through the forearm. I have met so many different and unique people over the last year. I’ll remember some of them for the rest of my life. #2: Was there a TV show you saw for the first time in 2004 – perhaps 2004 was it’s first season – that you now absolutely love? I have never been a big fan of television. The only show that I watch much of is Star Trek and The History Channel. When I was on leave, I did see a couple of shows that I enjoyed; Fear Factor and Scare Tactics. #3: Tell us about the best movie you saw last year. It doesn’t have to be one that was released last year, just as long as you saw it for the first time in 2004. If possible, include a link to your review of it. I was not able to see as many films as I would have liked to. Of the movies that I was able to see in 2004, I really liked Troy and The Passion Of The Christ was a powerful film. #4: How about the worst movie you saw last year? Is there one that sticks out a mile – perhaps you wrote a scathing review on it. I did see a movie that I was discusted with. I didn’t know whether to wind my ass or scratch my watch. I thought I missed something, so I watched the film a second time and it was just as thin. This one star film is called, Gerry. People either hated it, or loved it. #5: Was there an event that you wish people would just shut up about already? I don’t mind people sniveling about their issues. I don’t mind Janet Jackson’s boob either. I don’t mind people whining about elections, wars, politics or religion. It’s all good. The media can beat a dead horse into the crust of the earth though. #6: Was there a worldwide event that left you wondering what the world is coming to? Yes, since the attack on our country on September 11th, 2001, I have been amazed and disturbed. It amazes me at how divided our country is. Even though our country has been attacked, people still divide along party lines at any cost. It is disturbing to me, at the lengths which people will go to in the world of politics to generate hatred for the opposition (both parties). There is no easy answer to terrorism. I can tell you this, It is my belief that if we were not fighting terrorists / insurgents in Iraq and Afghan, the U.S. would have been attacked again by terrorists. You can not ignore the problems…They are alive and well. They are not interested in negotiations and peace. They are interested in striking down the American infidels. I have also come to the conclusion during the year 2004, that the United Nations is a corrupt and useless organization. The United States foots the bills and provides assistance around the world. We provide for every kind of issue from tsunamis to wars, the United Nations has nothing good to say about the United States. They whine about every issue and provide no answers. They go against the United States on nearly every issue. On top of that, they are corrupt from head to bottom. France is a pain in the ass on every issue as well. I thought a lot about France while I was in Iraq. The mortars killing United States servicemen and women are French made, sold to Iraq… They can still sell their shotty weapons systems to Iran and North Korea. I am also up set that more and more of my rights are being trodden upon. While I am off fighting for my freedom and for the freedom of the common Iraqi, bad things are happening in the States. There is no more pledge of allegiance to the country or God (higher being). They continue to pass anti-gun laws, restrict, over regulate and over charge for fishing, hunting and gold prospecting. What they can’t restrict, they tightly regulate. We get regulated to death in California and then the politicians wonder why corporations are leaving the United States? What was the question again…? Sorry about the rant…MAN!!! I love the United States but I despise these regulating politicians who demand and get more and more power through more regulations, new laws, more taxes and on and on ... What’s the world coming to…? I am not sure but I feel for my children. #7: Similarly, was there a worldwide event that made you happy? I was very impressed how the people in the United States responded to the Tsunami disaster. I am not sure how much money was raised for this relief effort but it was amazing and inspiring! Children in schools around the country were even doing their part to raise money for disaster relief. Again, the U.N. was not happy with our response. I say dismantle the useless organization. They can find someone else to leach off of. #8: What were the best and worst albums you heard last year? I did not listen to much music last year. While I was in Iraq, I purchased a couple of CD’s that I liked; Kenny Chesney- When The Sun Goes Down, Faith Hill - It Matters To Me and a Creed CD. I enjoy all sorts of music. When I get home, I’ll have to catch up on the new music. #9: Which musician / band disappointed you? One Dixie Chick… I still like their music and buy their albums. #10: Are there any writers who were newbies in 2004 that you highly recommend we read? There are so many new people and a lot of them are excellent writers! The two that I enjoy reading are gwumpysmurf and Christian921 . They both write very well. #11: What was the most significant event of the year? It could be local, international, or simply personal This past year has had a major impact on my life. I was injured during Operation Iraqi Freedom. I will not be able to do manual labor types of work any more. Prior to 9-11, most of the jobs that I had were manual labor, physically demanding types of jobs. I worked in the woods a lot, as well as lumber mills. Now I will have to return to college sometime in the future and learn new job skills. For now, I’ll be happy with completing my minor surgeries, healing up and getting out of the military. I’d like to go home while my daughter is still young and my wife is still there. I think she’s still there… Since 9-11, I have been deployed twice. Servicemen and women have sacrificed a lot. I am one of the lucky ones. I have managed to remain married but my marriage has suffered do to my deployments. There is no relationship when you are deployed, only memories, phone calls and 12,000 mile hardships. The divorce rate for service members is staggering. I have witnessed some soldiers go through some very hard situations while on deployments. There’s not much that they can do, even if it’s unbearable, you drive on. It’s tough…Everything considered, I am doing OK. #12: Do you think your life is on the right track for where you want to end up? How did 2004 affect this? No, my life is not on track. I am not sure where, when or even how I’ll end up, but I’m on my way, there’s no use being late. #13: Was there anything else significant about 2004 you’d like to add? I wonder what’s in store at Half-time this year? dbcint‘s 2004 In Retrospect W/O  |
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