Has anyone any recent information on

[Lazarus_Long 0]

Relax, I apologize if I offended anyone by sounding cold and insensitive. I was simply stating a harsh reality about our primary mission in Afghanistan.  It is NOT some Peace Corps mission.  It's war. Welcome to reality, it's not very pretty.

I never meant to imply that NATO should just pick up and leave Afghanistan in the sorry state that it's in. I completely agree that terrorism is a byproduct of instability and it is in our interest that the standard of living improves in Afghanistan.

We can try to convince them untill we are blue in the face that a political system made up of ruthless war-lord tribes is not a good idea.  The Afghani people will ultimately be the judge of how they want to live and thats the way it should be.  If they start breeding terrorists against us again in a few years after we leave, we will have to deal with it as it comes.  I don't think there is anything we can do for them aside from what we are already doing.  Their future is up to them, that's all I can say.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">What is a monkey bar?

<span id='postcolor'>

It's a type of exercise equipment... One of the video clips they showed on the news a lot after 9-11 showed some Bin-Laden recruits training in some camp in Afghanistan.  It showed them excercising on these things.  I think it was a part of an Al-Qeda recruiting video.  

I was trying to be sarcastic, thats all.  Allthough we have bombed most Al-Queda camps into smithereens, I doubt we have seriously done anything to help stop terrorism.   Terrorism to me is a desperate act by a desperate person.  Anyone can be a tererorist, so this whole war on terrorism thing is quite futile.  Just as futile as trying to teach a 3rd world country how to live in a civilized manner.

That's my opinion anyway.

[LauryThorn 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> Just as futile as trying to teach a 3rd world country how to live in a civilized manner.<span id='postcolor'>

There! You did it again! (discussion about American vs. sub-human living somewhere else ain't over.)

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I was simply stating a harsh reality about our primary mission in Afghanistan.<span id='postcolor'>

Now I'm confused between the 'political' and 'secret' missions..

At least Mr.Bush states that you are in war against terrorism, right?

So think about it.

People in some countries are ready to give their lives to attack your country.

That might implicate that some people hate US.

And according to US intelligence, Afghanistan was a real bunker of those people.

People there have somehow, I don't know how, learned to hate the US.

Now, you go there, fuck everything up, and say: "Mission accomplished, SIR!"

Leave the country fucked up?

If people in Afghanistan (or any other country) learned to hate the US before

your operation, what do you think that they will do after you bombed them

for a few months?

Maybe they will think: "Well well well, US of A is a good country, after all. What do you say boes, shall we open a McDonalds restaurant next to our mosque?"

Or maybe they will think something else.

[Lazarus_Long 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">There! You did it again! (discussion about American vs. sub-human living somewhere else ain't over.)<span id='postcolor'>

Good grief!  Let me clearify a few things.  Americans are made up from almost every race, culture and religion, so in essense anyone can be an American provided that you are a human and believe in the concept of freedom and co-existence.  There is no tolerance for the concept of "sub-humans" here anymore.  (Ok, it took us a while to perfect it, but we are pretty tolerant of everybody now a days.) Look at our military, you won't find a more diverse bunch of people in the whole world.  

It's a misconception that we Americans feel superior to everyone else.  Many Europeans mistake our big, loud and blunt mannerism for arrogance, but it's far from the truth. We are not that bad, honestly!!

Even though I strongly object to anyone being called "sub-human", I do believe that there is such a thing as a "sub-culture".  Any culture who chooses to opress it's own people in the ruthless manner as displayed by many 3rd world countries are not worthy of my sympathy.  I'm against trying to impose our own "western" style system on them. The people of these cultures need to figure out for themselves what the best way for them to live.  It's like a test of nature for a society to shed it's tyrannical roots, some manage to evolve while others fail into oblivion.  Every society has to go through this. While they try to figure all this out in Afghanistan, our bombs will encourage them not to do anything foolish against themselves or any other cultures, especially ours.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Now, you go there, fuck everything up, and say: "Mission accomplished, SIR!"Leave the country fucked up?

<span id='postcolor'>

They were f**ed up long before we or anyone else got there.  What do you want us to do about it?  Like you said, they hate us. Why offend them with our presence any longer than what is neccessary?

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

Lets put it this way: Mission accomplished is when you make the country compatible to western ideologies. IF this is not the case than you will have to return one day and this mission will become more complicated and terribly costly, as we can see now with Iraq.

You are absolutely right if you say that we are at war, but a war needs to have a clear goal, a point when you can say "we won". As with desert fox this was not the case. Saddam was pushed back into Iraq just like the Taliban were pushed back into the mountains. And we all know how many lives that costed because that war wasnt properly finished and silly sanctions were imposed.

Just imagine what a great success that would be! Having brought peace into Iraq and Afghanistan would have a tremendous impact on the entire region. Furthermore it might lower the oil-prices (but that is pure assumption).

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Albert Schweizer @ July 24 2002,17:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Lets put it this way: Mission accomplished is when you make the country compatible to western ideologies.<span id='postcolor'>

Exactly, which is the same as shoving a BigMac down their throats. I believe in cultural diversity and not assimilation.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"> IF this is not the case than you will have to return one day and this mission will become more complicated and terribly costly, as we can see now with Iraq. <span id='postcolor'>

Yes, if conquering the world is your ideal.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">You are absolutely right if you say that we are at war, but a war needs to have a clear goal, a point when you can say "we won". As with desert fox this was not the case. Saddam was pushed back into Iraq just like the Taliban were pushed back into the mountains. And we all know how many lives that costed because that war wasnt properly finished and silly sanctions were imposed.

Just imagine what a great success that would be! Having brought peace into Iraq and Afghanistan would have a tremendous impact on the entire region. Furthermore it might lower the oil-prices (but that is pure assumption). <span id='postcolor'>

You are very wrong there. Destert storm was a big success just because Saddam was not removed. The reason for DS was that Saddam was in the position to take control of the majority of oilfields in the region. This would have meant that he could dictate the oil prices and we could not have that now, could we?

So what DS succeeded with was:

1) Ensure that Saddam didn't go invading Saudi Arabia and take our precious oilfields.

2) Put sanctions on Iraq. The so-called "Food for Oil" program.

While Saddam is still in power we get oil for prices much under the market value. We want him in that position.

Why do you think that Europe asked Bush politely to fuck off when asked if they would join a second war on Iraq. We like Saddam where he is. Free oil.. Repeat that a couple of times. We give a small fraction of our wheat surplus and we get free oil. Saddam is great for us. If Iraq was to become a democracy then the sanctions would be lifted and we wouldn't have our free oil. We love Saddam.

Bush has his own agendas however that he feels are more importrant then the oil question, or he's simply to stupid, I don't know.

[bn880 5]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (LauryThorn @ July 24 2002,07:32)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">And according to US intelligence, Afghanistan was a real bunker of those people.

People there have somehow, I don't know how, learned to hate the US.<span id='postcolor'>

I guess you will never know then.

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

Well being compatible to western ideologies does not mean assimilation. That is a very odd exaggeration of a solution that can be sensitive indeed.  

I dont quite get what you call cultural diversity, where is the cultural diversity in Afghanistan. You mean their tradition of war and starvation? The components of cultural heritage that I know from Afghanistan would not suffer under a "cooperative" government. In contrary, didnt we see the Afghans now return back to play Polo and listen to their traditional music since they live in a "reasonable" peaceful context?

The so called "McDonaldisation" and "McCulture" is a simple-mind image of big bad capitalism conquering open countries and turning them into slaves. But fact is that the culture of trade in Afghanistan is older than our european neandertal skelletons, so we should not worry just because they got some money back in the pockets to actually buy food and trade goods.

The cost of protecting this so called culture as you got it right now would be high. I dont know how many lifes it is worth for you.

What you say about the oil-prices sounds logical but is only a tiny share of the truth. Fact is that Iraq cannot sell oil to western countries for a "bargain" price cause the OPEC would not support it. The prices are very much fixed to the world prices:

"FLUCTUATING OIL PRICES:  The oil-for-food programme has always been dependent on the international oil market.  (un.org)

Especially due to the fact that the OPEC produces surplus and countries like Norway and Russia would gladly close the gap.

Furthermore does the "insecurity" factor also influence crude oil prices. As you may have seen Iraq and Iran want to undertake an oil embargo because of Israel. This itself allready increased the "uncertainty" factor of world prices by 2-3 dollars per barrel, without being actual yet! So replacing Saddam would mean eliminating the "uncertainty" cost.

[MDRZulu 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">But don't you think 11b is just as biased as Denoir would be? And what does the fact that Denoir hasnt lived in America have anything to do with it? I thought the discussion was about Afghanistan?

<span id='postcolor'>

No I dont think he isnt as biased as Denoir, I have never seen any threads where he seems to be bitter against a certain country and hate it. And I said that he hasnt lived in American for foundation that he hates America so all his opinions are going to be against it but he has never even lived here to know what its like or understand why he hates us so I will take his opinions against America as unfounded. Same for me though I have never lived in Europe so I dont understand what its like or why people do the things they do there so my opinions on policies there are unfounded and I am 17 so I dont know that much yet.

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (MDRZulu @ July 24 2002,23:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">No I dont think he isnt as biased as Denoir, I have never seen any threads where he seems to be bitter against a certain country and hate it. And I said that he hasnt lived in American for foundation that he hates America so all his opinions are going to be against it but he has never even lived here to know what its like or understand why he hates us so I will take his opinions against America as unfounded. Same for me though I have never lived in Europe so I dont understand what its like or why people do the things they do there so my opinions on policies there are unfounded and I am 17 so I dont know that much yet.<span id='postcolor'>

Lol. I don't hate USA. I don't like however the people that are currently in power. I also disagree with the American foreigin policy. My bad experience of that comes from direct observations in Kosovo. But that doesn't mean that I hate America, which I definetly don't. I have several American friends that I like very much. On of my ex. girlfriends is from Louisiana. I've been to the States five times and I enjoyed it.

So saying that I hate America is a very weak argument

[Tovarish 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ July 24 2002,17:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Albert Schweizer @ July 24 2002,17:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Lets put it this way: Mission accomplished is when you make the country compatible to western ideologies.<span id='postcolor'>

Exactly, which is the same as shoving a BigMac down their throats. I believe in cultural diversity and not assimilation.<span id='postcolor'>

That reminds me of a very popular beer ad campaign by Molson here in Canada, a few years ago. It was basically this guy giving a speech that dismissed American stereotypes about Canada, listed the ways we were different from Americans, and promoted Canadian national pride....plus it was funny as hell. Anyways, it was also shown in the States, and there were politicians who wanted it banned because they saw it as "Anti-American"!!

If you want to see a video of this ad, Go here, I  highly recommend it. Otherwise, here's the speech:

< clears throat >

Hey.

I'm not a lumberjack,

or a fur trader...

and I don't live in an igloo

or eat blubber, or own a dogsled...

and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada,

although I'm certain they're really, really nice.

I have a Prime Minister,

not a President.

I speak english and french,

NOT american.

and I pronouce it 'ABOUT',

NOT 'A BOOT'.

I can proudly sow my country's flag on my backpack.

I believe in peace keeping, NOT policing.

DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation,

AND THAT THE BEAVER IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL.

A TOQUE IS A HAT,

A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH,

AND IT IS PRONOUCED 'ZED' NOT 'ZEE', 'ZED'!!!

CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST LANDMASS!

THE FIRST NATION OF HOCKEY!

AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA!

MY NAME IS JOE!!

AND I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!!

[Paratrooper 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Tovarish @ July 24 2002,23:53)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ July 24 2002,17:34)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Albert Schweizer @ July 24 2002,17:20)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Lets put it this way: Mission accomplished is when you make the country compatible to western ideologies.<span id='postcolor'>

Exactly, which is the same as shoving a BigMac down their throats. I believe in cultural diversity and not assimilation.<span id='postcolor'>

That reminds me of a very popular beer ad campaign by Molson here in Canada, a few years ago. It was basically this guy giving a speech that dismissed American stereotypes about Canada, listed the ways we were different from Americans, and promoted Canadian national pride....plus it was funny as hell. Anyways, it was also shown in the States, and there were politicians who wanted it banned because they saw it as "Anti-American"!!

If you want to see a video of this ad, Go here, I  highly recommend it. Otherwise, here's the speech:

< clears throat >

Hey.

I'm not a lumberjack,

or a fur trader...

and I don't live in an igloo

or eat blubber, or own a dogsled...

and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada,

although I'm certain they're really, really nice.

I have a Prime Minister,

not a President.

I speak english and french,

NOT american.

and I pronouce it 'ABOUT',

NOT 'A BOOT'.

I can proudly sow my country's flag on my backpack.

I believe in peace keeping, NOT policing.

DIVERSITY, NOT assimilation,

AND THAT THE BEAVER IS A TRULY PROUD AND NOBLE ANIMAL.

A TOQUE IS A HAT,

A CHESTERFIELD IS A COUCH,

AND IT IS PRONOUCED 'ZED' NOT 'ZEE', 'ZED'!!!

CANADA IS THE SECOND LARGEST LANDMASS!

THE FIRST NATION OF HOCKEY!

AND THE BEST PART OF NORTH AMERICA!

MY NAME IS JOE!!

AND I AM CANADIAN!!!!!!!!<span id='postcolor'>

Lol! I know Canadians get quite irate about being considered American. One Canadian comic was on television saying how bad it is "to be living with the French next to the USA!"

[Tovarish 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (Paratrooper @ July 25 2002,00:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">One Canadian comic was on television saying how bad it is "to be living with the French next to the USA!"<span id='postcolor'>

That also reminds me, there was a Quebec-separatist spoof of the "I am Canadian" commercial, let's just say it ended with: "MY NAME IS JAQUES, AND I AM NOT CANADIAN!!"

[Albert Schweitzer 10]

Hihi, just because you had/have an american girlfriend does not mean you dont hate a country. The only girl that lightens up my life right now is german and I certainly have a lot of friends here but damm I hate germany.

But hating the USA is general is an absurdum, due to the fact that, as the name sais it, it is an accumulation of different very individual states with a melting pot of cultures. To hate it would be hating a "passport", a piece of paper, but nothing else.

However if a nation has a ruling body then of course you can have resentiments against it, and those can be justified. So if one sais he does not like the ruling party/parties than his opinion might not be of a prejudice nature.

[USSoldier11B 0]

I don't even like McDonald's.

I wouldn't go so far to say that Denoir hates the U.S. I would just say that he is somewhat of an antagonist and seems to be discouraged about how NATO operates from his experiences in the Balkans. I can't really disagree with him there because I haven't been deployed to a combat zone. I'm just curious Denoir, how can you be a soldier when you don't believe in the mission? What motivates you? Comradery? I know for most field soldiers it's mostly about keeping your buddies or subordinates alive.

[Harnu 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I don't even like McDonald's. <span id='postcolor'>

IT'S A SPY! GET HIM!.

lol, anyway. I like McDonalds. But I like Subway better. How can you not like McDonalds!? BTW, Seven Eleven is becoming a mini resturant. And they aren't half bad

[USSoldier11B 0]

Mmmmm.....crappy 7-11 nachos make a great midnight snack.

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (USSoldier11B @ July 25 2002,03:26)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I don't even like McDonald's. <span id='postcolor'>

Are you or have you ever been a member of a communist party?

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I'm just curious Denoir, how can you be a soldier when you don't believe in the mission? What motivates you? Comradery? I know for most field soldiers it's mostly about keeping your buddies or subordinates alive.<span id='postcolor'>

It's simple. As a soldier you cannot allow yourself to build a global picture. You have to take everything as locally as you can and not to reflect on the general meaning or consequences of your actions. If Sweden went to war I would follow orders and I sure as hell would also make sure that my men did so too.

As for motivation, well, remember, I didn't choose to do service, I was drafted. When I knew that I would spend some time in the military I thought that I might as well do it properly. I wanted to be with the best, and that I why I joined Kustjägarna (costal rangers) and later A-dyk (attack divers). And I was partially right in my choice. Sure the whole thing was an enormous waste of time, but if I ever go to war I know that I can count on being in a competent unit with men and commanders who I can trust having next to me.

Another thing is that I like tactical planning and I like commanding so I enjoyed leading my men.

As for Kosovo, my reasons were purely egoistical. I wanted to see what a combat zone was like. I wanted a new experience, simply. And it was one of the best things I have done in my life. A true eye-opener in many respects.

[USSoldier11B 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Are you or have you ever been a member of a communist party?<span id='postcolor'>

Lol! No, I just get really sick of hamburgers and fries. Ironically I really enjoy greek/middle eastern food. There is a good place here in town that in run by a Lebanese guy who left his country due to the fact that he is Roman Catholic. I check in on them once and a while to make sure that they haven't been subject to any fanatical post 9/11 persecution. I think he was very afraid after it happened, he put American flags and Catholic religious symbols up in his restraunt.

[Harnu 0]

I don't mean their Nachos!  I'm talking about those new Deli sandwiches they have there.

[ralphwiggum 6]

i'd say denoir is

1. still going through puberty

or

2. is someone who acknowledges that he can do better in US, but in Sweden, his potentials are not completely excercised. thus frustrated and is venting his frustration by being anti-US.

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As for Kosovo, my reasons were purely egoistical. I wanted to see what a combat zone was like. I wanted a new experience, simply. And it was one of the best things I have done in my life. A true eye-opener in many respects.<span id='postcolor'>

yes, losing innocence.

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ July 25 2002,05:40)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">i'd say denoir is

1. still going through puberty

or

2. is someone who acknowledges that he can do better in US, but in Sweden, his potentials are not completely excercised. thus frustrated and is venting his frustration by being anti-US.

<span id='postcolor'>

Ummm... ok    Maybe this was supposed to be funny, but I don't get it...

I will say it once more: I am not anti-US. For those who still don't believe it start reading my posts properly or grow a brain, whichever comes more naturally to you

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As for Kosovo, my reasons were purely egoistical. I wanted to see what a combat zone was like. I wanted a new experience, simply. And it was one of the best things I have done in my life. A true eye-opener in many respects.<span id='postcolor'>

yes, losing innocence. <span id='postcolor'>

No, not at all. I'm not talking about seeing or experiencing nasty stuff. That I had expected. What I was most surprised was the complexity of the situation and how my picture (gotten from media) on the situation was a very Disneyfied version of the actual situation.

[ralphwiggum 6]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ July 25 2002,05:51)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I will say it once more: I am not anti-US. For those who still don't believe it start reading my posts properly or grow a brain, whichever comes more naturally to you <span id='postcolor'>

neither

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As for Kosovo, my reasons were purely egoistical. I wanted to see what a combat zone was like. I wanted a new experience, simply. And it was one of the best things I have done in my life. A true eye-opener in many respects.<span id='postcolor'>

yes, losing innocence. <span id='postcolor'>

No, not at all. I'm not talking about seeing or experiencing nasty stuff. That I had expected. What I was most surprised was the complexity of the situation and how my picture (gotten from media) on the situation was a very Disneyfied version of the actual situation.

<span id='postcolor'>

i'd say that is loss of innocence. when we are young, we view world as simple straightforward entity, yet in RL things are much more complicated than that.

[Guest]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (RalphWiggum @ July 25 2002,06:02)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">i'd say that is loss of innocence. when we are young, we view world as simple straightforward entity, yet in RL things are much more complicated than that. <span id='postcolor'>

Ralph, I was in Kosovo last year. At that time I was older then you are now

I've always been sceptical to what is reported in the media, but I wasnt aware to which extent it was.

[bn880 5]

Shit Ralph, where is it that you have lived all your life? Have you seen Kosovo?

It's not puberty, or loss of innocense... I really don't know where you have actually lived but you should go around and see how it is for people who don't live in cozy US / Canada/ Britiain etc.

The world is nothing like your home.

[ran 0]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (denoir @ July 25 2002,05:51)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE"></span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">As for Kosovo, my reasons were purely egoistical. I wanted to see what a combat zone was like. I wanted a new experience, simply. And it was one of the best things I have done in my life. A true eye-opener in many respects.<span id='postcolor'>

yes, losing innocence. <span id='postcolor'>

No, not at all. I'm not talking about seeing or experiencing nasty stuff. That I had expected. What I was most surprised was the complexity of the situation and how my picture (gotten from media) on the situation was a very Disneyfied version of the actual situation.<span id='postcolor'>

hmmm .. reminds me somebody ....

was in the same situation for my first trip although i haven't choosen to go there i was interested by the same things as you