You captured that sentiment so well, JJ! Thank you!!!



Oceans

JJ.....

So well said


Oceans

Chris....hang in there. Your love is palpable and your daughter I am
sure can feel it, young as she is. You are dedicated and steadfast and
these will see you through these tough times.

Our hearts are with you.

And, when it strikes you, your rants are always welcome here.

to you both.

Oceans

Ahhhhh, Fanta. True confessions, eh?

I didn't vote for Bush, but I did think when he first ran that he had
the potential for being an adequate president.

He still has 581 days in office, but I think there is near-zero chance
that he will recover. Instead, his waning days will become worse and
worse as those who have used him to date make their last demands on him.




Oceans

Hey Fanta!

All well here -- got a lot dne.

I've been preparing abriefing on Iraq for the last couple of weeks and
it is shaping up nicely -- the briefing, not Iraq. I may post some of
the findings here. There will I think be some big things happening in
the next few months.

Oceans

Daniel, I'm so sorry to hear about your ex's ordeal. It is little
comfort, I know to hear that she is not alone in how she is being
treated.

Recent estimates are that 40% of Army combatpersonnel coming back from
Iraq suffer mental incapcity of varying degrees of severity, requiring
treatment. Within that figure, the PTSD numbers are iffy, as it is a
struggle to get the Army medical personnel to certify the problem.
About 30% of the Marines come back with some level of medical
incapacity.

Volatile anger and violence, intolerance, fear of being out in public
places, paranoia are among the core symptoms.

The returnees go to Walter Reed army hospital. Those with PTSD are put
into the mental ward, alongside people with schozophrenia, etc. They
receive minimal treatment (e.g. 1 hour/week one-on-one care with a
psychiatrist), and only a few hours a week in group therapy sessions.
Walter Reed acknowledges the inadequacy of the care, and state that they
do not have enough money to attract the needed psychiatrists.

Soldiers are being dismissed from the hospital and service with some
sort of disability payment, and yet they are not fit to return to
civilian life. The concern is that they may be walking time-bombs, with
deep unresolved anger issues, or suicidal with deep depression.

I sense that this is going to be a problem that will confront America
for years to come. It is a human tragedy of immense proportions, and
will continue getting worse until we evacuate. It will be easy for
civilians int he US to treat these men as ogres, but it is this
country's actions in those theaters that has made them what they have
become. They deserve and in a sense have earned our deepest compassion
and help.

Oceans

The US that has destabilized two of them, formally, and we are seeking
to destabilize two others, formally.

There are many Muslim countries that are stable, and, in case it
matters, have greater social cohesion than the US.

Makes one wonder, doesn't it?



Oceans

NOW I know how the US government creates its foreign policies!



Oceans

Whisper -- you ask a natural question and I honor your request with an
honest answre.

I looked at your pictures, but only one shows you. The picture is a bit
dark and flat (taken in a mirror?), so it is hard to tell what you
normally look like. It is also a 'severe' looking you. I would love to
see more and better lit and more relaxed pictures of you....

Yes, people say that beauty is internal, but the fact is that there are
also external looks, and that these are affected by one's mood. SMILE
inside for that camera, and then we'll check out the results, ok?



Oceans

Hey, Stonekeeper!

Be productive, brother. Come on back when the fancy takes you. We'll
miss you.

Oceans

I am going to guess that men are shyer than women, so it makes sense for
women to be somewhat more proactive than they are...



Oceans

Im-BROglio!



Oceans

I've got to say, Lex's profile is totally awesome. Too bad I'm not a
woman....

Good thing the Balloon Lady hasn't showed up yet. She is only 800 miles
away.

I am such a victim



Oceans

grrrrrrrovelling, grooooooooooovellling.
I'd need a shovel to grovel any lower.

Good thing Andrea is 5,000 miles away.

Off to enjoy the outdoord!



Oceans

<<Role Reversal>>

Oh you are so sly.....!

OF COURSE Katers must be included.



Oceans

No, NOT fishing!!!! THE REEEEEAAAAAAAALLLLLL THING!!!!



Oceans

Welcome, Sporty!

Lots of good people here.



Oceans

Oh, I am tired of compliments (not that I receive many)....but I want to
REAL THING!!!