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Sunrise Over Fallujah Discussion Question 3

After learning of the full plan called 'Operation Iraqi Freedom' and talking with the sheik named Hamid, evaluate Robin's group's role in the war and if invading Iraq was even necessary in the first place.

An Iraqi sheik pictured with Barack Obama.

Robin's group's role, and the invasion of Iraq in the first place for that matter, are both futile and mostly unnecessary. The search for weapons of mass destruction is proving to be a waste of time and money, while the upside of the invasion is that Saddam Hussein was taken down. Robin's group goes into a building to talk to Hamid, a sheik, and they learn of the full plan by listening to Major Scott speak to Hamid. As the two are negotiating and trying to come to terms of a cooperation pact, it is revealed that many Iraqi citizens are not willing to cooperate with this 'stabilization' of the political and social structures in Iraq. Major Scott also reveals that he is not even sure that the weapons of mass destruction that they are searching for exist, saying "...[we are] searching for the major weapons systems that we are pretty sure exist" (435). These seemingly fruitless results of the invasion of Iraq make the war all the more unnecessary and profligate. After speaking with Hamid for a few minutes, Major Scott receives a stern answer to his proposed stabilization plan for Iraq. "'Do you really think that we have the problems that your papers are reporting?' Hamid asked. 'Do you think that people who have lived together for more years than your country has been in existence suddenly find it impossible?...No, my friend. Everyone knows that eventually you will miss the warmth of your own bed, the blue eyes of your own wives, and then you will go home. Then who will rule Iraq?'" (437). Hamid is speaking from his heart now, and is not reading from some script that a politician wrote for him. What he is saying is truly how Iraqi citizens feel, and it shows Major Scott and Robin's group that their role in the war is virtually futile. Hamid understands that even if America set up this government system, they will eventually leave and everything will fall back into place and Iraq would be under the rule of Iraqis once again. However, Iraq would have to deal with an emotionally torn country with citizens who lost family and friends. For these matters, Robin's group's role and the initial invasion of Iraq is essentially useless other than the fact that they have gotten rid of Saddam Hussein. The people in Iraq have lived peacefully for years, and America invaded in search for weapons that are still undiscovered and disturbed this peace with the killing of thousands of innocent civilians. This does not sound very necessary.

Sunrise Over Fallujah Discussion Question 2

Discuss your views on the war and whether what Robin's group is trying to do a good thing or if it is a futile effort.

An emotional picture capturing the distress, agony and suffering of Iraqi civilians.

The war in Iraq is unnecessary and fruitless, and what Robin's group is trying to do is a hopeless, vain attempt to comfort the emotionally torn Iraqi civilians. The statistics of the war in Iraq show that the loss of life on both sides is not worth the billions of dollars spent just for the removal of weapons of mass destruction and the capturing of Saddam Hussein. By trying to accomplish their goals, the US military ravage through Iraqi towns and kill many innocent civilians who stood in their path. By killing all of these people, they emotionally devastate many family and friends. Children witness their fathers and brothers killed in front of their eyes, and wives saw their husbands perish in a blink of an eye. There is nothing that Robin's group can do to fill the void of a deceased family member, and what they are doing is barely comforting at most. After an attack on civilians, Robin and his group decide to visit an affected village and do their best to console and aid the physically and emotionally wounded children. They meet a lady named Halima who speaks English well and talk to her about the war and what they can do to help. "'There is so much killing that there is no place left in our hearts to hold our grief or our anger. Now the children are asking the same question as their brothers: Why have you come to kill us?' 'I'm so
rry. I'm very sorry. Is there anything we can do to help?' Captain Miller said. 'Treat our lives as if they are as precious as your own,' Halima said. 'That's all we ask'" (293). Halima clearly says that all of the killing takes up all of the space in their hearts, and there is no room for any other emotions. There is nothing that Robin's group can really do to help mend their broken hearts and shattered souls except to just respect the civilians as they would want to be respected themselves. No monetary value or any form of physical compensation will fill the holes in the Iraqi civilians' hearts. What Robin's group is trying to do is well-intentioned, but in the end, whatever they do will not end the suffering and pain of the Iraqi people.

Sunrise Over Fallujah (Tech Friday)

Sunrise Over Fallujah Discussion Question 1

Critique Robin's decision to join the military. Would you join the war? Why or why not?

A collage of photos from the war in Iraq.

Robin's decision to join the military was not the wise one, and if I was in a similar position I would never make the same decision. Although Robin joined the Civil Affairs Unit and is not necessary always fighting on the front line, he is in danger of losing his life every day. There are street bombs everywhere and civilians will shoot anyone who appears to be an enemy, whether they are the Civil Affairs Unit or the infantry. Robin's group has engaged in already quite a few dangerous scenes, and with the language barrier it can be chaotic and very frightening. Ahmed is the only person in their squad who can speak Arabic, and sometimes he can not understand the different dialects the civilians speak clearly. In the heat of the moment, it is not unlikely that a civilian might open fire or attack Robin and his group. For example, Robin's squad enters Iraq and they try to support some wounded children by handing out medicine and bandages. By doing so without being armed, however, the group put themselves in potentially grave danger. "'How do you know there aren't a dozen enemy fighters hidden somewhere near here, Captain?' Maire confronted Captain Miller. 'I don't know, Lieutenant'" (232). Without armor or guns, the squad could have easily been ambushed and taken hostage or killed on the spot. I am sure that Robin never imagined that he could be killed so easily, for if he did, he would have second guessed his decision to join the military. I would never risk my life to fight unless we really needed it as a country. I personally do not believe that the war in Iraq was worth what it was after looking carefully at the statistics. I have a bright future ahead of me and I would never throw it all away for a rather unjustified and reckless war, and I believe that Robin should have looked at things from my perspective before he chose to enter the military.