Introduction -- preparing for Iraq

Welcome to my Blog. My goal is to glorify God, and share my faith with those who will listen. This is an interesting time for me to blog because I’m scheduled to leave for Baghdad,Iraq, in early May. I plan to document some of my experiences with the war and the military, while attending classes on line.

For the next four to six months, much of my writing (but not all) will be about my experience in Iraq -- because I'll be there. Please understand that, as an Airman in the U.S. Air Force, what I write is not likely to be objective on the Iraq war; but only a narrow window of my personal experience. I don't have overall perspective. (Who does really?) Furthermore, my opinions don't constitute endorsement of the U.S. Air Force. I write as a student, not as an Air Force representative.

I'm not writing this to report news, but mainly to offer my insights. Because I’m a moderate patriot and believe in what we’re doing, I’m likely bias in favor of our country. This doesn’t mean I won’t be fair and honest, it just means I’m human. You have my assurance though, I will post with integrity.

My primary duty in the Air Force is print journalism. As a journalist, this is not my first experience with war; I have deployed to several places in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, I wrote about Soldiers and Airmen who fought, and who I fought with against the Taliban. Most of my stories focus less on news and more on personalities and human interest. For example, in Afghanistan we delivered large amounts of humanitarian aid such as blankets, non-perishable foods and water. I wrote on this. (The media isn’t likely to cover events like this because they lack several major news elements that sell: conflict, suspense, oddity, sensuality and death, to name a few. Unfortunately, the media is a commercial market and, as a business, they offer news that's most in demand.)

Throughout my blogging here, I'll also offer thoughts on my current scripture reading and my passions, to include how Judaism affects you and the modern world. My next post will highlight the Jewishness of Jesus.

I welcome your comments here and hope we can all learn from each other.