Crossing Bridges Divided

Under the Kandahar sun

It has been a week or more since my last blog posting. However, I have been busy with work while avoiding the desert heat.  After few months in Kandahar, It feels a little like you've landed in another universe or landed in a minimal security prison. Either way, you may wonder to yourself "where did I go wrong?".  NOT really, life has not been so bad. It is amazing how the smallest things can make you so happy when your daily luxuries have been temporary removed.

I've been lucky in many ways thus far during my tour in Afghanistan. First of all, I have received amazing support from all of you, thanks for the awesome, thoughtful notes, care packets, swedish fish, and all that you have done for me.  Special thanks to my Friends from France, awesome care packet, "fatty duck liver has never taste so good, foie gras, oui oui"! I am much happier now. Merci Beaucoup et bientôt.

And then there is my cartel under the Kandahar sun.  I have been extremely fortunate to have a great team of folks to work with, Rod "Naplam" Brigano, Andy "The Tick, McClaw, Brian "The Repo Man" Southoni, Anisa "Lucky Lady" Rodriquez, and Jim "The Regulator" Smith. I have acquired the "mob name", Six Toes. In addition, My dear friend from Louisiana bought me to a meeting of men in search of becoming better men, fathers, husbands, etc. I appreciate my friend for this invitation as the discussions of becoming an Authentic Men have been awesome.

And finally, I have adapted a few survival tips for my deployment. Funny or not so funny, there are similarities between a military deployment and prison, although I have had limited experience with both.

Nevertheless, Prison (and War) is something we all want to avoid, but the time may come when you have to spend some time there (whether or not you are guilty). If you follow some basic rules, your stay maybe more tolerable.

1. Do not get involved with the wrong people. I have tryed to avoid the wrong people. Since, I am in a war zone, not sure how to identify the wrong people?

2. Do not discuss your crime. I do not have a crime, I volunteered! Since, most people did not volunteer, do not discuss that you volunteered. However, time is shorter for volunteers, another reason not to discuss it. Only discuss "how long you have" with other volunteers. 

3. Work out, Working out not only helps to pass the time, it also helps to to bulk you up – making you less of a target. You should not appear weak – this means walking with your head up – do not look at your feet while you walk. Avoid the temptation to get a tattoo – they often lead to diseases like hepatitis (not sure, but I will avoid getting tattoes in Afghanistan).

4. Be respectful and polite. This is very important when anyone has a gun or two. Always be polite and respectful to other prisoners. You do not want to make enemies in war zone, as you have enough as it is.

Finally, remember, being in prison is like being at war – so it is better not to commit a crime in the first place.

A look at Pakistan from Afghanistan:

Afghanistan–Pakistan relations began in 1947 when British India was partitioned into the Republic of India and the state of Pakistan. Afghanistan and Pakistan are usually described as inseparable states due to their sharing of similar history, religion, culture, linguistic, and ethnic ties, as well as sharing of multiple trade and economic ties. Both neighbouring nations are Islamic republics and part of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. However, the relationship between the two has been affected by the 1980s Soviet war, the rise of the Taliban, the 2001-present war in Afghanistan, the issues of Pashtunistan and Balochistan, the Afghanistan-Pakistan Skirmishes, and Afghanistan's strong relations with India.

Things Soldiers like to eat...Swedish Fish, Beef Jerky, etc

The hottest fish in town are "Swedish Fish".  Swedish Fish are chewy winegum candies especially notable apart from other varieties of winegums in Sweden.

In Sweden, the Swedish Fish candy is marketed under the name "pastellfiskar", literally "pastel colored fishes". The fish in Sweden are generally much paler in color and more translucent (save the black fish).

The green fish is not lime flavored; the green candy color in Scandinavia is usually associated with apple or pear flavor. They are slightly thicker, have the text "Malaco" instead of "Swedish" embossed, and stick less to the teeth.

All stories have an irony, when I lived in France I visited some friends in Sweden.  I asked about purchasing some since they were not sold in France,...to my surprise ..Swedish are not sold in Sweden..go figure. So imported Swedish fish back to Sweden..my friends loved the candy and the idea that "Americans" enjoyed them so much.

So, this brings me to my point, Americans love them so much, "American Soldiers" love them even more..Swedish Fish are to die for...not really, but maybe a "petite wound".   If we receive enough Swedish Fish, then we can share with the Afghans....maybe one day we will have Afghani Fish.

So in Swedish "skicka fisk" =  please send fish.   Soldater älskar dem = Soldiers love them

Senseless gun violence that claimed the life of three young Americans

Many of you are aware of my affiliation with my college fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Unfortunately, we (APA) have lost two educated productive, young men to random gun violence.

All members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity are mourning the recent cold-blooded murders of Brother Michael Muchioki, 27(and his fiancé Nia Haqq, 25) of New Jersey, and Brother Steven Lee, 32 of Chicago.  Brother Muchioki and his fiancé were shot and killed after returning from their engagement party in Jersey City, N.J. on Saturday night. Brother Steven Lee, was shot while walking on South Ingleside Ave. in Chicago’ East Chatham neighborhood. According to police, Brother Muchioki’s incident appears to have been an attempted carjacking.

It is very sad when one is more likely to die in some American cities than in combat in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, both situations are unfavorable and saddens American families each and every time we lose one of our young Americans.

So far this year, eighty eight U.S. solders have died in Operation Enduring Freedom as of April 3rd 2010. Those Afghanistan casualties are a high price but pale when compared to the losses in the undeclared war in our inner cities. As a nation we have decided that the Afghanistan price, as hard to take as it is, is worth the price. But the price we are paying in our inner cities pays no return. The lives lost there are squandered-wasted. LA reported 145 murders for the first three months of 2010. Chicago reported 76 homicides. Baltimore had 38. The small area comprising our Nation's Capital, D.C., reported 24.