The sound and the fury
Tuesday, 25 April 2006 | 545 readers so far
This image was taken yesterday as a rain/sand storm made it’s way across central Baghdad. The storm lasted several hours, and strong winds turned the sky a color I’ve not seen before. The accompanying thunderstorm sounded like the biggest mortar barrage I’ve ever heard.
Earlier in the day, I had heard several car bombs go off, and they were puny in comparison to the power of nature. The violence and energy of one thunderstorm kind of put things back into perspective for me. Thunderstorms, however, do not intentionally target human beings for death. They are blind and furious but they are not malignant and evil as the lesser beings who live below them can tend to be.
Today, in its infinite wisdom, the Army forced me to submit to a "random" urine donation exercise. That’s a fancy way of saying blind bureaucracy wants some sort of tangible proof that I am not participating in the ingestion of prohibited substances. Luckily, I somehow managed to avoid using black tar heroin while I was home on leave so I am quite sure I passed this particular "test."
The amount of time and energy spent testing soldier’s urine samples could be invested in something worthwhile, like stopping insurgents from planting IEDs. But hey, that’s just me, a guy who thinks the drug war is a colossal waste of time and energy.
Taking a few hours out of my busy day to pee in a small plastic cup only to prove what my chain of command should already know - that I’m not using any illicit substances, is just part of the brave new world of bureaucracy we’ve all come to accept. I suppose one day when we’re all forced to wear a microchip that monitors our every moment of existence to ensure that none of us is doing anything Uncle Sam doesn’t approve of, well, we’ll all be the better for it. Or something.
1 April 25th, 2006 at 2:07 pm
David Green says:
Wow, you mean that your bizarre behavior and distorted outlook on the world isn’t drug induced? I think I just felt a chill run down my spine…lol…
2 April 25th, 2006 at 3:16 pm
Trevor says:
No, my bizarre behavior is completely self-perpetuating.
How did the Milblogger’s conference go?
3 April 25th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Kitanis says:
Trevor.. I agree with you about the war on drugs.
But alas.. I see the other side of the pipe through some of my duties on the installation.
We had 248 people return from the AOR the last AEF cycle to this base. Then they get “two weeks” free local area leave. Then they random drugged test 37% of those folks. 3 of those folks tested positive for Meth.
Drug War right, wrong or indifferent.. we have folks who know that the military does not tolerate the use of drugs and they are subject to drug testing at any time. Still they do it and they think they will not get caught!
I guess that sounds like I condone drug testing.. I actually don’t, but the military is not the only one doing it. Home Depot has a employment website and I was looking at it the other day.. they have right on their terms of employment.. Madatory Drug Testing… Amazing!
4 April 25th, 2006 at 10:06 pm
Donna, Los Osos, CA says:
Gunnutt has great coverage of the conference on her site. She is a wonder!
As much as it is not pleasant to do the pee in a cup thing, my thoughts always go to the person who analyzes the pee, all day long. That must get old.
Take care, and thanks for all you do! The picture of the storm is amazing. Don’t recall ever seeing the sky look quite like that.
Donna
5 April 26th, 2006 at 1:57 am
SK says:
Hey Trevor! The conference was awesome and you were missed.:( Friday night at Fran o’Brien’s and outside Walter Reed were really the highlights for me. On Sat after the conf some of us escorted a friend back to Malogne House and had a chance to visit with some of the guys. What an honor. It’s pretty humbling when they thank US for lending a litle support.
6 April 26th, 2006 at 6:58 am
Trevor says:
Kitanis,
I’d say the problem with drugs is that people abuse them. Why do we as a society tolerate and accept alcohol use but prohibit marijuana? We’re hypocritical.
I’m 100% sure that alcohol kills a lot more people than meth.
The bottom line here is that Home Depot can only fire you for violating their drug use policies. The FedGov will put you in jail to boot, and that doesn’t help anyone who has a problem with substance abuse, in fact, it is only likely to make the situation worse.
I accept the reality that I need to pee in a cup because I live in a hypocritical society, but I’m not going to pretend I find it pleasant or that I agree with the flawed thinking that led to the “land of the free” feeling the need to analyze my urine to ensure that I’m not using too much of my “freedom.”
7 April 26th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
Theresa, MSgt (ret), USAF says:
At least you guys are conditioned to peeing in front of someone. It’s a lot more difficult as a female having someone watch you. My first golden flow, I tried to close the door on the stall. The seriously evil Capt who was doing the observing liked to have a fit. I couldn’t pee for at least 2 hours after she yelled at me. I got over my “shy kidneys” as the years went by. I also had the “privilege” of watching young ladies pee. Nice, real nice. You know as well as I do that having people taking drugs while wearing the uniform is bad for business. Especially were you are right now. You blog is excellent by the way. Just hit it for the first time today. Came over from the Mudville Gazette. Take care and thanks for serving.
8 April 29th, 2006 at 5:17 am
Harley says:
A few hours for a pee? There must be a story there!
Maybe Carla will check into your website. I sent Donna’s comment to her.
Stay cool and safe!