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Defending America

Sgt Nicolas Thornbro

2004-08-01 11:51:00

:  Why haven't we gotten more support from our allies since 9/11?

ANSWER: There are a lot of theories about this, but one of the guys in our unit found an interesting statement over 500 years old from Machiavelli that does a good job of describing what is going on. "One can make this generalization about men: they are ungrateful, fickle, liars, and deceivers, they shun danger and are greedy for profit; while you treat them well, they are yours. They would shed their blood for you, risk their property, their lives, their children, so long, as I said above, as danger is remote; but when you are in danger they turn against you." Our "allies" in Europe have been for the most part with us as long as WE were liberating them from the Nazis, protecting them from the Soviets, or helping them to clean up problems in their backyard. However, now we're asking for help and many of our "allies" have made themselves rather scarce. What Bush has done or hasn't done isn't the issue, the issue is that we're asking them for help this time instead of the reverse.

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Defending America

Sgt Nicolas Thornbro

2004-07-01 10:05:00

Question:    What is owed the local population by the military in a situation such as Iraq?

ANSWER:  There are probably lots of places one can find an answer to this question.  One of the best might be an answer given by a group called 'Human Rights Watch'.  It certainly parallels what all soldiers are taught during their training.  An occupying power is responsible for respecting the fundamental human rights of the population under its authority. All persons shall be treated humanely and without discrimination. This includes respecting family honor and rights, the lives of persons, and private property, as well as religious and customary beliefs and practice. Women shall be especially protected against any attack, in particular against rape, enforced prostitution, or any form of indecent assault. Everyone shall be treated with the same consideration by the occupying power without any adverse distinction based, in particular, on race, religion or political opinion. Private property may not be confiscated. However, an occupying power may take such measures of control and security as may be necessary as a result of the war.An occupying power is specifically prohibited from carrying out reprisals and collective penalties against persons or their property and from taking hostages. In general, no one can be punished for acts for which he or she has not personally committed. All parties to a conflict are required to provide information on prisoners of war and "protected persons" (civilian nationals) in their custody. The occupying power is prohibited from forcibly transferring protected persons outside of the occupied territory for whatever reason. Foreign nationals in the occupied territory are generally protected by international humanitarian law, especially when they do not come under the protection of their own diplomatic representatives.The Fourth Geneva Convention permits the internment or assigned residence of protected persons for "imperative reasons of security." This must be carried out in accordance with a regular procedure permissible under international law and allow for the right of appeal and for review by a competent body at least every six months. The Fourth Geneva Convention provides detailed regulations for the humane treatment of internees.

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Defending America

Sgt Nicolas Thornbro

2004-06-01 09:59:00

Question:    What is the Sunni Triangle?  How did it get its name?  Was it coined such just since the war began? How did Saddam rise to power?

ANSWER:  The Sunni (SU-nie) Triangle consists of Ramadi on the western tip, Baghdad on the eastern tip, and Tikrit (Ta-kreet) on the northern tip.  It is an area of Iraq that has the highest concentration of Sunni Muslims.  The name Sunni Triangle was coined for use during the war, as it would be an area of high activity.Explaining the entire Triangle and its history could best be explained by someone else more knowledgeable, so I will try my best to explain Tikrit, the area I live and operate in.  Tikrit was Saddam’s hometown and was the center for the Ba'ath Party.  Most of the people that lived here were untouchable under the protection of Saddam and reaped the benefits of their party being in power.  The majority of the people however, lived in poverty and fear.Saddam rose to power through years of underground work. This provided him with a small core of loyal, like-minded friends… many of whom were related to him either by blood or marriage and most were from his hometown of Tikrit. After the coup in 1968, this clique established itself as the Revolutionary Command Council with absolute authority in the country.

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Defending America

Sgt Nicolas Thornbro

2004-05-01 08:19:00

Question: What is a typical day like for an American soldier deployed in Iraq's most dangerous areas?

ANSWER:  A typical day in Iraq is anything but typical.  The entire day revolves around two things...missions that are scheduled to be accomplished and reacting to incidents.  "Chow" where our unit is located is served hot twice daily (breakfast and supper).  If a soldier misses chow, he eats MRE's (meals ready to eat).  Most soldiers just go hungry.  The cooks have started storing hot food for us when we return from a mission.  They have become accustomed to the TAC rolling in and out at odd hours.  There are the daily requirements such as shaving and maintenance on vehicles, weapons and gear.  When a soldier receives his mission briefing he prepares accordingly.  I am currently assigned to the TAC.  We are the security escort for the Colonel and the Sergeant Major.  Because of this, we have more operational freedom.  A soldier sleeps an average of five hours per day.  He bathes once a week, if he can find time and hot water.  In summary, a soldier must maintain his weapon, his gear and himself...and most importantly... he doesn't let anything become routine.