Depressing news from Baghdad

[JM]

A friend of ours is a surgeon serving in a medical unit in Baghdad. He already did a 9 month tour at Bagram. The word I got from him is that it is FAR, FAR worse than anything we can imagine.

Most of the people they work on are U.S. soldiers or prisoners. Many of the U.S. injured are operated on and stabilized before being sent out, although some are kept and returned to combat. From what I gathered in the conversation, the injured are bored to tears. Many have head injuries or are otherwise immobilized and don't have anything to watch/listen to.

Apparently last week he had a patient bleed out on him. This was a prisoner who was allegedly caught by U.S. soldiers digging a hole on the side of a road.

Another piece of info I got was many injuries to our soldiers are due to stupidity. They are told to pick up NOTHING, since anything can be booby-trapped as an IED. Many of our soldiers are hurt picking up what they think would be a cool souvenir.

The silver lining to all of this came when I spoke with his wife. I told her of the story about the soldier from the 101st who said they would not be voting for Bush*. She says the vast majority of the military feels that way.

JM

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. I know the vast majority feels this way as well

by the way, ask your friend if we can send his unit some magazines to keep them entertained. I mean it.

PM me.

[JM]

2. From what I was told

basic toiletries are needed most. We were actually talking about small MP3 players for the injured.

JM

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. The list of what is needed has not changed in a year or so

my hubby just retired from the USN and when they were on the line,
we were sending toilettries to the sqaudron.

As to MP 3 players, thuogh good idea, it is pricey.

Unless, yuo get somebody to donate as a tax deduction.

Cheap CS Players may be easier.

Now I do have a packet with some stuff, even gaming material. I know head injuries will nto be able to do use the gamng stuff... but if you send me a PM I can get a packet out... even sneak some gauzes for the medical staff... yes I have seen medical units sending emergency supplies as the supply chain is broken.

[JM]

4. True...

...it doesn't change much.

I am waiting for and address from his wife. As soon as I hear anything I'll pass it on.

I am pretty sure they are OK on medical supplies since they are inside the Green Zone.

As far as the MP3 players are concerned, the only way we could pull it off is if I could get in touch with some heavy hitters like celebs. I have some distant contacts I am going to try but it will take a few weeks.

JM

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. you know what, I never call them

but let me see if the family members I actually have
IN hollywood will help... need to ask my mom for that
phone number.

He is a screen writer, did McGyver... I may be able to get
somethign moving this way.

And yes, things are not changing, but I suspect they are having
a problem getitng just about everything.