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www.livejournal.com/users/tuckerrohman is being sedated…
I will not kill it, only because of my fondness for some of the posts and responses, but it is being poisoned Juliet-style, to awaken in a different place among different people.
This is mainly to cut the major flow of Marine Corps posting traffic… So goodbye my associates, I’ll return to the country in a few months.
All I have left to ask are these two things:
1) Tabb and Angelo, please take care of my things and ensure they are in pristine order for my return, and you each be paid handsomely for helping me out.
2) Saywer, what happened to Noah?
That’s it… I’m off to work on my new livejournal so, have fun!
And finally, ATTENTION:
To all my friends not living in the greater Jacksonville area, I’m gonna send you all the link to my new journal if you want it, so just email me at Tucker_Rohman@hotmail.com.
I don’t trust my address book, so make sure you email me or you won’t get to read it and know I’m still alive.
-Zack
…truly rocking the kasbah…Current Mood: Overconfident Current Music: Travis – Peace The Fuck Out |
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Nov. 4th, 2004 @ 05:23 pm
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My views and opinions are not shared and/or reflected as the views of the President of the United States, the men and women of the United States Congress or the institution of the United States Marine Corps.
Now with that disclaimer out of the way I can tell the true story of the war in the Sovereign Nation of Iraq. I can still be equally punished for the upcoming text but at least this way, I can emphasize the ideals that the Government of the United States wants you not to read and me not to to write without fear of their propaganda backlash. The views expressed below are the views of individuals who have been thrust into unfriendly situations and been attached to a short leash by a county who promises more than what is often delivered. I am a photographer in the United States Marine Corps who, while in Iraq, has been utilized as a journalist due to my admittance of having a meager background in writing. The following is an editorial comment on what I’ve seen and been a party to during the War On Terrorism.
Anti-Propaganda – the REAL war in Iraq
By: Zachary R. Frank
Approaching two years now the government of the United States of America has been waging war half the world away in a nation that could only truely be happier without Saddam Hussein, if they were also without us. Over 6,000 miles of land, and ocean lie between the capitols of the US and Iraq and that mass of earth seems to be more than enough to misconstrue the views of two governments with equally one-sided agendas.
The next Vietnam, as many of my colleagues have put it, is so because of this misunderstanding between cultures. For roughly the past thirty years Iraq has been under the dictatorship of a man we have come to know as Saddam Hussein. A man who we believe to be a handler of weapons of mass destruction, harbor of terrorists, and killer of his own people for the better part of three decades. While the slaughter of countless thousands of his own countrymen remains accurate the allegations that he had weapons of mass destruction and harbored terrorists remains almost completely unfounded. Hussein never had more than plans and an under budgeted group considering if it would ever be possible to have such weapons. The misunderstanding lies in the underlined ideals of the men making the call in those offices so many thousands of miles away.
The US wants to make an ally out of a country with oil assets that we’ve freed from a dictator and helped rebuild. The Iraqis don’t understand why we overthrew their leader because of 30 years of brainwash and oppression, they know they have oil and want to keep it for themselves and they don’t care if we rebuild because some branches thatching and a few hours later and their house will stand again! To them we’re merely invaders who come in the middle of the night, remove their neighbors and escape back into the darkness. It doesn’t take a scholar to realize why the miscommunication between us is killing the cause. In America you can’t just watch CNN to see what the television polls say about the nations views, here it’s necessary to get out of Washington D.C. and see the frightened but determined look a thirteen year-old with an AK-47 has as you try to take members of his family away.
Politicians don’t seem to care about these things and are just fine if they wake up, yell about bills in Congress that don’t directly affect them and have their mistresses’ sleep over while their wife is out of town.
Congress doesn’t have to care about anything but how their choices will affect them. Remember, the backbone of the War Or Terrorism has been simply the terrorists.
If all else fails they still have that! What you haven’t been told is, to blame the nation of Iraq for harboring terrorists would make us as deserving of being overthrown.
Osama Bin Laden and Al-queda have been multi-national players in stock markets and business boards for many decades. Some of these companies in question have also contained former presidents and cabinet members as high-level staffers. Some of these men include President George W. Bush and his father the former President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.
These coincidences not withstanding, it’s also true that the US, under many presidencies, have given weapons and funds to both Iraq and Afghanistan. Some would view it as a strange happing; to change polices from aid to destruction after our own placed leaders turned on us. It has often been the policy of the red, white and blue to make this call. The most obvious incident would be in the rebuilding of Germany in the years after World War I when we gave a man named Adolph Hitler money to rise to power and make the nation strong again. The result would come to be known as World War II
Knowing the unbiased views of the media, it would be great if anyone would make light of the discrepancies in the war, but no one seems brave enough to bring to light. When it comes down to it, no one wants to hear bad news and the ratings follow close behind the viewers will. Apparently, no one wants to attack the motives of men whose intelligence said there were no weapons of mass destruction, and that they were as liable as the Iraqis for harboring terrorists.
Fortunately for me, I can write truths all day and stay out of trouble because I’m being ignored by a nation that doesn’t feel like hearing the truth yet. If I get punished for writing this then at least the world will be that much more likely to open their ears to honesty.
In the end I’m left with just one happy thought that gets the majority of us through another day out here.
“What are they going to do, send my to Iraq?”Current Mood: Giddy Current Music: Lysol |
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I figured everyone deserved a longer post for once so here I go…
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FIRST:
Even 3000 miles away Scotty Doesn’t Know!!!
Okay, now that I’ve cleared that up…
I’ve recently been freed of my boss and now work primarily for myself. Their trust in me has allowed me to become the closest thing I can to freelance while still being employed by our freaky-ass government. Everyone I actually work for are miles away on another base and I’m here covering the majority of the unit we’re all here with. There are 3 people on their base covering half the amount of people I have here. It took me a month and a half to have everyone I work with realize I’m easily the person most talented and dedicated to my craft. Go me! Notoriety!!!
Maggie, were you wondering why I didn't reply longer to you, or was that someone else who responded to my thank you. It was anonomyous so I couldn't tell. If you could inform me I'd appreciate it.
Go see my buddy Kuni’s website. www.kuniphoto.com He is a staff photographer for the Chicago Tribune and was a long time photographer for the Boston Globe. He’s the man!!!
…..i’m considering becoming Spider-Man…..
Would anyone mind if I decided to move to Europe? Film School will eventually end and I’ll be setting up jobs, and I refuse to move to LA, so that leaves NYC and London. How great would that be huh?
HEY, would anyone actually be willing to film a movie when I come home. I’d love to get Tequila Shots filmed with good actors, not Kira… and I have a few more projects I could do. Tell me if anyone is interested!!! Sincerely, this is a big deal to me, this is what I want to do with my lfe!
Again, Thank You Maggie!
I’m up to 149 pics that I love (of this country), up from 130 last time, and I’ve been published all over the place… I need to make more money for what I do!!!
I’m coming home in early March it looks, so it will still be cold in PA, and still snowy so Kevin and Melissa we’ll have to wait for summer to go on our trip. Tory, Allie, no excuses from you.
Just to remind everyone, I don’t have the internet where I am right now and every time I post a journal entry it usually costs me a favor down the line… don’t get me wrong, I love posting and want to tell you all that I’m okay, but it takes a lot of effort on my part to do it and I keep myself pretty busy out here.
I cut my 3-inch long hair off last night. It was looking all cool for once, but it was getting way too long. You’ll all see it that length with a goatee when I come home, but for now, I’m bald again.
If anyone would like to go out of their way to buy a me a CD by Natasha Bedingfield, that would be super… When I was in Germany I saw her on their version of MTV. She seemed to be a very interesting British artist. PLEASE tell me if anyone is crazy enough to do anything like send it too me though. Don’t be like my insane mother and send DVD players through international mail!!! By the way, if it doesn’t have the song “These Words” it’s the wrong album. OH!!! Also a French artist named Julie Delpy. She is amazing.
For all of you out there who think they appreciate music, you should buy the soundtrack to Good Will Hunting, or just look at the songs on the internet and pirate every song by Elliott Smith on that album. You won’t regret it!
Sawyer, I hate you for using my internet, but I know you’ll do it if I say yes or not!
TORY, speaking of Sawyer, he’s a good guy and all, but don’t invite him to speak to you like that!
That goes for everyone!!! I have multiple sides to my life and no one will ever see them all. I have my friendships and relationships split into these categories:
~Eisenhower
~Youngsville
~Family
~Marine Corps
~Long Distance
You should all be able to distinguish which group you fall into.
Allis, get Katie to read this shit! I miss her, she rocks!
VERY IMPORTANT!!! A movie was released in theaters the week after I left that is called “Garden State,” and I badly want to see it. It would be great if someone would tell me when it comes out on DVD so I can order the damn thing!!! I’ve bought all the other movies I wanted to see in theaters on DVD bootlegs: ex… Taxi, Mr. 3000, Resident Evil 2, Hero, Shark Tale, The Forgotten, and Ladder 49…
On the disc with Hero was a movie called “Before Sunset.” If you have the means I definitely recommend picking one up! “Before Sunset” is now one of my favorite movies equaling the greatness of these classics:
-2001: A Space Odyssey
-Gotcha
-Monty Python & The Holy Grail
-Magnolia
-Breaking Away
-Boondock Saints
-Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy
-A Fish Called Wanda
-Good Will Hunting
-American Beauty
-Citizen Kane
-Forrest Gump
-The Matrix
-Vanilla Sky
-Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
-Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
-Star Wars Trilogy
… and hopefully Garden State…
Long tangent huh?
I’ve been doing an obscene amount of writing while I’ve been here and I have 6 movies I want to film and a dozen new and breathtaking poems that I may post periodically. Since I’ve been out here I’ve noticed my poetry has become slightly less joyless and morbid. Allison, one is special for you, I’d say that I would email it to you, but then I’d have to type it out and send it! I don’t have the time for that right now. In fact, this post took me 4 days to write.
And at last, here are more specific plans for my glorious return…
Torrance:
NYC baby. Pick a Broadway show, I know you’re dumb and like Phantom, but pick another one too and I’ll see what I can do with them. Here’s what I’m thinking… 4 days, 3 nights in NYC, just you, me, and the greatest city on Earth.
Allison Road:
Pick one place you’d like to go in the US or Europe! It’s very important that you answer this so can look into ticket prices!
Neville/Wart:
Put-In-Bay, Cedar Point… drinking wine on an island, getting Kevin on the rollercoasters, and Melissa driving through Cleveland! What could be more fun??? (Allie, Tory, you guys are invited too! It is recommended you come!!! ALSO, Maggie, as always you are invited…)
Nikki, Texas is too far… Kara, California is even further… Jacksonvillians, I hate that town, I’m wasting all my money in good areas before I come back there…
Family:
No signs or banners or presents… just let me relax dammit!!!
Other Friends:
If you want to see me, you’d better visit “The Grove” while I’m home, I’ll be taking a whole month off, so no excuses…
-Zack
FINALLY, this should be long enough for everyone. What do you people want to hear from me??? I refuse to write about Iraq so don’t ask, but if you have anything else you want me to write about just tell me and I’ll do what I can.
(I expect to see like 30 responses to this post, there is a lot of material here!!!)Current Mood: Jovie Current Music: Shins – Caring Is Creepy |
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Damn people, I live a busy life!!! Haha.
You all know my greatest skill is taking care of myself!
It's gonna take more than a war to bring me down... I'm Zack for fuck-sake!
Anyway Tory/Allie I'm fine but I appreciate knowing you care. You two are way too important for me not to come home! (Nikki don't start, you know I love you too! That goes for all of you)
Anyway, I've finally gotten lots of packages and cool stuff. I'd like to thank everyone personally but time will not permit it.
A special thanks for my Mom and relatives from California! You know what you did, and you're insane!!!
Everyone should comment and write me emails when they're worried about me!!! I'm still here, and it will make me respond faster.
Well, I gotta go for now, here are some special messages for a few of you:
Tory: NYC and then Las Vegas to elope... okay maybe not Vegas, but still NYC!
Allie: I've got plans for you when I get back...
Nikki: Nice pic, and thanks for everything.
Melissa: Put-In-Bay, and you're driving...
New River: Everyone here hates Cranford!
Pennsylvania: Thanks for all the gifts while I'm out here.
Anyone else who cares: I'm still alive, and I'm such a good photographer. Since I started taking pics I compiled a portfolio of 300+ pics and since I've been here for 2 months I've already added 130 more. I rock out here!!!
So, see ya in 2005!
-ZackCurrent Mood:  mellow Current Music: Still, nothing... |
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Still here, busy life, becoming famous...
gotta go,
Dad, thanks for the package...
Everyone else, haven't gotten the other packages and letters...
Tory, Nikki, Allie, Melissa, love ya...
Others, write more and I'll try to love ya...
-Zack
On a side note:
Something wicked this way comes...
A thing, very ominous, hangs above my head...
I am along in this struggle...
None of you can help me...
I no not what it is, but it is bad.............Current Mood:  intimidated Current Music: Something Wicked This Way Comes |
| » Happy Birthday To Me... |
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Here I sit in the American Embassy in Iraq typing on my live journal...
What an interesting life I lead...
Still haven't gotten any of my mail yet sorry.
-Zack
Write me back, IT'S MY FUCKING BIRTHDAY!!!
Oct. 11th, 2004 @ 06:30 am
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| » My Birthday In 2 Days... |
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Hello.
I'm in an internet Cafe in Iraq, weird huh???
I'm currently building a website to display my photography and writings. It should be up in a month or so.
So, I'm bored and don't have enough time to type a long entry, so keep writing me and I'm gonna get all my mail tomorrow, so NIKKI!!!
Anyway, I'll talk to you later.
-Zack
Oct. 9th, 2004 @ 04:51 am
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| » Yo Ho! |
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Hello all,
First, to people I don't know... Why the hell do you even write here???
Second, Tory, I love you too.
Third, why can't any of my friends spell my name. Granted Allie and usually Melissa can get it right, but what in the hell is the matter with the rest of you. My name is Zachary "Zack" Richard Frank. Not complicated. When its Zachary it has an H. When it's Zack it has a K. Not Zach or Zackary...
Next... I'm stuck in a base an hour south of Baghdad and not having a horrible time. I mean, I'm making money, I'm taking some of the greatest photos of my young career, and I'm getting all kinds of hookups with news orginizations around the world.
Well, I'm kinda busy so write me back and tell me how much you love me and that you've sent me things and that you want me to return soon. Right now I'm looking to come back in the last weeks of February of the first few weeks of March.
Talk to you later!!!
-Zack
Oct. 7th, 2004 @ 01:53 am
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| » The Oscar Goes To... |
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I'd like to thank all my fans and friends who helped me to this result. It was a tough victory (just kidding), and I am sincerly greatful to everyone who supported me.
Thats all,
Thank you and please don't post here any longer Randy!
I will simply delete you at my earliest convienance...
I WIN!!!
-Zack
Sep. 22nd, 2004 @ 11:51 am
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