My nephew, Ryan, provided military escort between the airport and downtown Baghdad to Iraqi recruits. The only role more dangerous than that is suicide bomber. There were 135 attacks on that road between Nov. 1, 2004, and March 12, 2005. We know that because an Army report was done on “Route Irish” after our troops killed Italian Security Agent Nicola Calipari.
The new recruits he risks his life to protect are considered traitors to Islam and Iraq by the resistance, so they’re prime targets. Hundreds have been slaughtered in the past. The nonexpendable personnel don’t use that road. They’re flown by helicopter.
When President Bush looks for expendables, he looks to Mainers. Any plane carrying a bomb will fly into Bangor. VA cuts and base closings will happen in Maine; but when he awards no-bid contracts to Halliburton types, he looks to Texas.
Ryan’s not expendable. Maine’s not expendable.
Tom Bulger, Wilton
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