No.......Thank YOU kids!!!!!

Got a huge card from Madisons class a couple days ago and I took some pictures of it in Iraq o the kids could see where the card went and that it got here. I can tell you that I LOVE when classes send stuff over here, and even though most of the times it is a project, they write some honest observations. So to Ms. Berlings class that Madison is in at Cottage Grove Elementary, thank YOU for the card with all your luck! When I was on leave in March I went to Madisons class to speak and was VERY surprised to hear the knowledge of 3rd graders about the military and the U.S. in general. I get very sketchy about talking to kids about war, and reasons WHY we are here, but tell them that we are doing things to make the world better, and well, even if you are against the war we are doing things for the betterment of someone elses society, including our own.
If the crap we do over here now draws terrorists over here to fight Americans, then I guess we have created a diversion away from U.S. targets in our country! AND slowly terrorists are dying off, or depending on the day, RAPIDLY! When you are in a different country, in an isolated society with minimal media outlets to see, you begin to realize what the rest of the world sees of the U.S. and find out why a lot of the world does not like us! Honestly, in America, we are all a bunch a spoiled brats from afar, and the things we argue about are just obsurd.
We can blame it on the press, but when our politicians are being brought up on charges of some type of scandal on a regular basis, why would the rest of the world like us? Hate to say it, but at least Saddam let it all out on the table, and told you he didn't like you, and willingly stole from his people, they chose not to uprise, but he wasn't hiding anything. In America, we think our politicians will, in the end, take care of our needs, but reality is they run for office with THEMSELVES, and their careers in mind. Think about it, Clinton ALWAYS had the goal of being president. So his priority #1 was NOT the American people, but himself. Hilary included. New York Senator? Cmon!! The list includes our current president, vice president, Mr. Gore, Mr. Kerry, and Edwards! Take someone like Colin Powell, and look that he put a long military career in, and could get somewhere politically, but probably will choose not to!
I like Ike. Dwight D. Eisenhower! Same thing! Ted Kennedy? HELLO!! Why does he even get elected? if you are a POLITICIAN for more than 8 years at the same level, you need to GO! Either retire, or go to the next level up! Arnold Schwarzenegger? Good! Even Jesse Ventura! Like him or not, but he acted on his feelings, not for a career!
Alright, I got off on a rant, but just wanted to thank some American kids for thinking about us.
I also want to thank Mrs. Tester from CGE who is my friend, and was on the planning team with me when the school opened. She teaches Phy Ed. there, and she has been GREAT on my deployment. She lives not too far from us, and has offered to watch the kids, bring them home from after school activities, and have her kids play with ours. Thanks Gina, and thanks Ms. Berling, Rick Houston(principal), Carolyn Hoffman in the office, also T. Hall for all your support this year. Plenty of others there at the school, a lot whom I have known since we were on the planning team together, thank you as well!
That is a place where you want to live Cottage Grove, Minnesota. It has so much potential, and new growth to go, also so much history. Right on a beautiful part of the Mississippi River, The Mighty Mississipp, the Ole Miss., the old man......to qoute Clark Griswold from Vacation!
A great school system, and the best thing is that you can live 5 minutes away from the riches of Woodbury without the price(Well, for the most part)!
Wow, I sound like the Chamber of Commerce!
Have a great day!
Later,
Erik