A "Special guest" comes to town

It is now the 18th of Feb. I can now talk about it since it is over. We had a "special guest" visit us today. President Karzai came here to see the villagers and gave a speech. The people seemed very receptive. I think that politics, being new here, is going to be difficult to judge based on our standards. They seem to still like to eliminate their opponents with guns here, instead of with smear. You could say that here, politics is for keeps. The security here, was to say the least, tight.

I like the way things are progressing in this country. I know it is not happening as fast as most people back home think it should. But, think of our history. Think of how long it took our nation to be where it is today. You can not expect a country, that some day hopes to be lifted to 3rd world status, skip straight to full blown democracy. It took us several decades if not more, and we started with more than these people have. I just hope that we do not stop until the job is done.

We did that in Iraq in '91 and we see where that got us. The Kurds do not trust us because we backed them against Saddam and then the political tide shifted and we left them to get slaughtered. I truly believe that if you are going to do a job then "do it all or don't do it at all." Hundreds of thousands of Kurds paid with their lives, because WE changed out minds. That is why, I think, we are having a rough time with this one. They remember how that went down and are not willing to trust us. Luckily President Bush stayed the course and we are starting to build their trust again. I just hope that history does not repeat it self.

Well, my guys and I are starting to pack our gear. Our mission here is done and it is time to move to our next location. This place is going to be missed. Especially the food. I have not eaten this well in a long time. Today's menu, although not typical, consisted of crab legs, lobster tail, batter fried shrimp and the a salad, for me. Oh and the pies- de- resistance,( or however it is written) was the two big scoops of ice cream in a big soup dish topped with caramel, floating in Dr Pepper. I think I am going to have to be rolled home like giant barrel. I do not have a scale here. So I have no idea how much weight I have gained. But, I am sure I am not far from the 200 Lbs mark by now.

I just hope that I can still fit in my car once I get done here. Right now, that is the only thing I really am looking forward to doing once I get home. Just get in my MX-5 and drive with the top down till I run out of fuel and then fill it up and do it again. Who knows, I might just do a cross country trip with no destination in mind. "Just 'cause I can." Of course I think a lot of family and friends. My mom and dad especially. They worry about me. Well, my mom does, openly and my dad says he does not, but I can tell in his voice when I call. He truly is glad to hear that I am OK.

Truth be told, I worry about them, more than I worry about myself. I think it is more dangerous back home than it is here. Mostly because here, you are on your toes and are ready for the trouble. Back home, people walk around oblivious to their surrounding. Next thing you know, you are being mugged or worse. That is not likely to happen here. We use the buddy system. We are always alert to the "out of place" things in our daily travels.

Well it is that time again. I will write again as access permits.