The convention has not even started, and the Tygrrrr Express is already getting his groove on, which I believe is the exact same thing as getting my freak on, but slightly different than getting my swerve on.
I was supposed to arrive in Minnesota Saturday morning, and sleep at the airport while awaiting the Chicago Cannonball. Just before the plane took off, they asked for volunteers. A few minutes later I was a few hundred dollars wealthier, had a hotel in LA for the night, and got to fly first class Saturday morning.
The Chicago Cannonball and I are actually sleeping at a club. They have a loft. She might kill me in my sleep, but I think this is cool. I went to bed to the soothing sounds of ACDC below me, and the streets were jumping.
Several blogger friends from Chad at the Grizzly Groundsweel to Pastor Ed Boston to Bill from ARRA News Services are hanging out.
They are staying in other places nearby, but to sleep in a loft in a sportsbar is a fun experience. Again, I speak for me only.
Today I will be going to a concert my Lee Greenwood, who sings “God Bless the USA.”
Last night I interviewed Barb Davis White, who is running for the 5th Congressional District against Keith Ellison.
Yet today’s adventure is about my interview last night with Jason Meszaros, The Minnesota Director of Operations with Vets For Freedom. He did a tour in Afghanistan in 2004, but several of his VFF coworkers just got back from Iraq last week. I interviewed Jason on the radio several weeks ago, along with Pete Hegseth, the National Chair, as well as Nathan Martin of the Ohio chapter.
Below is my interview with Jason Meszaros.
1} What is the state of Iraq in 2008?
JM: Eric Schwab just went back, and came hom several days ago. The evidence of improvement is compelling. In 2004, there was no Iraqi Police, or Iraqi security. Now they are everywhere. Marketplaces are open for business. People are outside. They are not afraid any more. The streets are alive. This is for two reasons. First of all, Al Queda has been driven out. Second, the Iraqis are stepping up. Kate Morley attended a council meeting while she was embedded there. Pre-surge there were no council meetings. Local political improvements in 2006 is the reason for this. The people are making the political progress.
2} What in Iraq is still left to do?
JM: More is needed at the local level. More reconciliation is needed. The Sunnis joined the Government. The neighborhoods are still segregated, although less so. Walls are slowly coming down. Reintegration is occurring.
3} How can ordinary citizens help? What can we do?
JM: Keep spreading the message. The surge is working. Iraqis are stepping up. Write letters to the editor and members of Congress. Talk to Veterans. Civilian support of Veterans is essential.
4} What is the situation in Afghanistan at this time?
JM: The resurgence in power is due to Al Queda being back in Pakistan because we successfully drove them out of Iraq. However, in Afghanistan, due to the terrain, they will not be able to form a counterinsurgency like they initially did in Iraq. Afghanis have a military consisting of several tribes. The people are united, and they have checked their heritage at the door. Their hiding areas are pocketed. They are not hitting urban areas, as they were once able to do in Baghdad.
5} Are the recent developments in Pakistan with Purvez Musharraf stepping down a positive or a negative development?
JM: It all depends on who the successor is. Musharraf was a good ally. We need diplomacy with the successor to make sure that they do not become a Muslim theocracy like Afghanistan became. It all hinges on who the successor in Pakistan is.
6} What else should the American people know?
JM: I know nothing about John McCain’s VP pick. I am not a politician. I just know that we need the new media to keep stepping up. We need the bloggers to get the message out. We are winning. The military is winning. We need the civilians to show their support.
It was fabulous to interview a hero. he is right. We are winning. What he is too humble to say is that it is because of brave men like him.
May God Bless the Vets For Freedom, and the American military personnel and their families everywhere. We are free because they are brave.
eric
Well, I do with them luck and good health. I hope they can all come home soon.
JMJ