>>>http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2009-10-20-idle-troops-iraq_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip
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>>I doubt that is the general experience. IAC I am going to send a book along to you as soon as I read it (and this time I won't be an Indian giver <g>). It's called "The Good Soldiers" and was written by David Finkel, a Pulitzer Prize winning reporter. It is the story of his time with troops in one of the most dangerous parts of Iraq. I have read several reviews of it, all of them through the roof. It is not an ideological or political book. It is straight reporting about the soldiers on the ground, one Army infantry division.
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>>More here:
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>>http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/books/review/Stanton-t.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=the%20good%20soldiers&st=cse
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>>http://www.amazon.com/Good-Soldiers-David-Finkel/dp/0374165734/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256304845&sr=8-1
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>Sounds great thanks! I look forward to it. I thought my note (Some Areas) reflected that it was not meant to mean all areas.

I am going to read it soon and then forward it to you. Along with "The Girl Who Played With Fire." That one is a little quirkier but has an unforgettable lead character. Enjoy!