Here is another article written by my brother about the war.

Iraqi Army Needs Heavy Weapons

by Dryson Dunnar, Apr 17, 2008
Tags: Basra operation heavy weapons Iraqi army Iraqi army needs War in Iraq
Without heavy weapons the Iraqi Army cannot be expected to stand up by itself, yet the U.S. military is reluctant to give them what they need.

The disappointing performance of the Iraqi Army in the Recent Basra Operation highlights a deficiency that has been around since the rebirth of the Iraqi Army in 2003, and that is Iraq's lack of heavy weapons. Perhaps lack is not the right word, because it would probably imply to most that all Iraq Infantry Divisions have a few heavy weapons such as a couple of tanks and artillery pieces, no non-existent would be the best phrase to at least describe the situation in its Infantry Divisions.

And despite the title infantry which means foot soldiers, a usual Infantry Division is composed of supportive heavy units as well. Indeed in combat foot soldiers depend on supportive fire from heavy units and those same heavy units depend on them as a screening force and to help pinpoint enemy units. Simply put it works like this: 1) infantry units push forward until they meet heavy resistance. 2) Infantry calls in its tanks or artillery and if available air-support to attack enemy position. 3) Enemy position is attacked by heavy unit. 4) If the heavy units did their work the infantry advances sweeping up any scatter resistance with little or no causalities to its self. The concept is as simple as that.

The current situation is that Iraqi Infantry depends entirely on U.S. heavy units. Which means pretty much without the US the Iraqi Army cannot function as and army. As General Abdul Qader Mohammed Jassim, commander of the Iraqi ground forces is recently quoted to say, "Soldiers with Kalashnikovs and pickup trucks is not an army."

Currently the Iraqi Army has fewer than a hundred tanks mostly donated, which is surprising being that Iraq had thousands of tanks before the 2003 invasion. Apparently only four Iraqi tanks survived the war, apparently forgotten. The best explanation for the lack of surviving equipment that could be found was on globalsecurity.org stating what wasn't destroyed in the invasion was scrapped. Speculation over what really happened to all the surviving heavy weapons and equipment by me is a subject for another article. Let it suffice for now the Iraqi Army started with clean slate as far as equipment goes.

The US military has been reluctant to help provide the Iraqi Army with heavy weapons. The two main excuses are that the Iraqi Army really doesn't need it right now and slow logistics. The failures in Basra and the fact that Iraqi troops are dying three to one to US troops clearly disproves the first excuse. Logistics perhaps if most of the equipment is trying to be procured from the US where the military industrial complex is not tooled for mass low cost heavy equipment. Though there are plenty of good second hand military equipment like tanks and artillery out there and either Russia or China could easily fill any orders for new equipment.

The main reasons stated off the record why the US military is dragging its feet is they don't trust the Iraq's and they fear a civil war. Indeed the Iraqi Army has been infiltrated and there has been more than a few occasions when Iraqi Troops have went over to the other side or abandoned their equipment. Where this argument starts to fall apart is that truth heavy weapons are less worrisome to lose to insurgents than a crateful of AK-47s as most types of heavy weapons are not very useful to insurgents. Insurgents need to be able to hide that's how they survive, which is why insurgents limit themselves to man portable mortars, rockets, and heavy machine guns for their heavy weapons. So a tank or heavy artillery piece is out of the questioned, as you maybe able to conceal such from the air but not from enemy ground forces. As for the Iraqi crew turning on its allies it would soon be put out of action by air strikes or superior US forces.

As for the argument not to give heavy weapons out of fear of how they would be used in a civil war, well first off Iraq is already in a civil war. Secondly while heavy weapons makes things a whole lot bloodier, they are also absolutely necessary when smashing insurgents, militia, gangs, whatever you want to call them. Thirdly while the army is ethnically mixed so has fracture lines it's still one of the few adhesive forces outside the US military holding the country together. Remember the Iraqi Army was ethnically mixed under Saddam as well. It just needs good leadership to hold it together, men of national leanings rather than ethnic or religious. Lastly Iraqi forces will never be able to bring the country under control by themselves without heavy weapons, as we saw how successful they were on their own in Basra.

I am not advocating that heavy weapons are the key answer for Iraq's army but it's still a big piece that is missing and critical to creating and effective force. Without heavy weapons and the logistics to support them the Iraqi army cannot be expected to be able to stand up by itself no matter how good of foot soldiers they are. If all US forces the same forces that destroyed the old Iraqi Army and its heavy equipment, were to begin to pull out tomorrow Iraq would quickly crumble breaking into small fiefdoms ruled by warlords similar to what happened in Somalia. There are few encouraging signs that this may not happen as there are orders for heavy equipment, but still the process could be hurried.

Colby woke to the sound of water lapping against the side of the boat. He looked at his watch, it was a little after five in the morning. Mindy was snuggled up beside him. Her arm wrapped around his chest. Her head resting against his shoulder, her leg nestled between his. He needed to get up and take the boat back to the dock. He was flying
back to L.A in a few hours. He moved Mindy off of him so he could get up. She groaned turning over to bury her head in a pillow. Getting up he pulled the cover up to cover her, so that only the top of her head was visible. He searched the floor for his clothes. He quickly dressed in his sweats. It was cold out on the lake first thing in the morning.

“What are you doing?” Mindy mumbled from the bed..

“I need to get back, I have a flight to catch.” He told her. Opening the door to the cabin he went up to the deck, where he sat down to pull his sneakers on. Sitting down in the driver seat he started the boat.

Doug was sitting in a beach chair by Mindy’s boat slot when Colby drove the boat in. He frowned at his brother. Turning the boat off he got up. He went down into the cabin. “Baby, I gotta go. I’ll see you at Caroline’s wedding.” He said brushing his lips against her cheek.

“Bye.” Mindy mumbled burrowing deeper into the covers.

“You’re in a lot of trouble.” Doug told Colby rising from his chair as Colby got off the boat.

“Why?” Colby asked.

“You slept with a minor!” Doug yelled.

“Keep your voice down. Nothing happened.” Colby told him.

“Really, I find that hard to believe!” Doug told him.

“Do Mom and Dad know?” Colby asked with dread.

“No, Matt covered for you. He told your parents that you were invited to a party in Bayview.” Doug told him.

“So, what’s the problem?” Colby asked walking past his brother.

“For starters you ditched Teri, and she’s was really pissed.” Doug replied following his brother.

“Christ. I didn’t invite her, Mom did.” Colby told his brother.

“I can’t believe you slept with a minor.” Doug said angrily.

“Nothing happened, relax.” Colby told him again.

“Really, then why were you gone all night?”

“We were talking.” Which was partly true he thought. They had talked quite a bit.

“Is that all you did?” Doug questioned not believing him.

“I didn’t have sex with her if that’s what you’re asking.” Colby stated. Which was partly true, they hadn’t had intercourse. They walked up to the house. Colby intended to shower and leave, before everyone got up.

“Where have you been?” Teri demanded when Colby arrived at the house. She had been pacing on the deck.

“Christ. What the hell are you still doing here?” Colby asked in surprise.

“Waiting for you! Where were you?” She yelled.

“None of your damn business.” Colby told her.

“I’m your girlfriend! You were with Mindy weren’t you?” Teri said grabbing his arm as he tried to get by her.

“No. I was at a party in Bayview.” Colby lied, his Mom had come out onto the deck. She looked angry.

“Was Mindy there?” Teri asked.

“No, now let go.” He told her coldly.

“You don’t care about me at all!” Teri cried.
Colby ignored her heading toward the house. “Colby, if you walk away from me, were through!” Teri yelled.

“Good.” Colby called over his shoulder, he opened the sliding door and entered the house. He went upstairs to take a shower and change. Laura was still waiting when he came down the stairs thirty minutes later. She wasn’t happy, she couldn’t believe her son could be so cruel to a woman. Teri was devastated, she had left in tears.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” Laura asked.

“About what?” Colby asked getting a glass down. Doug was sitting on the couch pretending to read the paper.

“About the way you treated Teri this weekend.”

“Mom, I didn’t invite her. You did.” Colby told her with a sigh.

“I invited her because she’s your girlfriend.” Laura told him with a frown.

“Not really. We’ve been on the outs for a while now.” Colby replied opening the fridge to get some juice out.

“Why?” Laura asked.

“We’re not a good match. I should have broken it off a long time ago.” Colby said pouring the juice into his glass.

“I thought you were going to marry her.” Laura commented with a frown.

“Hell no.” Colby said with a grimace.

“I don’t understand you.” Laura told him still frowning. “I don’t think you should hang around with Mindy anymore. She’s too young.”

“She’s a friend.” Colby told her.

“Your sister’s seem to think she’s a lot more then that.” Laura told him studying him.

“Really?” Colby asked before drinking down the juice.

“After you ditched Teri on the boat last night. Ashley told Teri that you’re in love with Mindy.”

“She just said that to piss Teri off.” Doug said folding the paper.

“I was kidding Mom, geeze get over it.” Ashley lied coming into the room. Doug had pointed out to her last night, that Colby could get into a lot of trouble over Mindy.

“You need to learn some manners. I don’t want you or Mandy spending anymore time around Mindy.” Laura told her daughter.

“What? Mom she’s my friend.” Ashley cried.

“After the way she behaved yesterday I don’t want her around you. That girl is a trouble maker.” Laura told her daughter firmly.

“That’s not fair, it wasn’t Mindy’s fault!” Ashley replied.

“About yesterday, I have a confession.” Matt said from the door. He had come into the room and heard their discussion over Mindy.

“What?” Laura asked.

“Doug, Jeff and I bet Mindy a hundred dollars that she didn’t have the guts to push Colby and Teri in.” Matt told her.

“Is that true Doug.” Laura asked him turning to stare at her son.

“Yes.” He replied.

“Why would you do something like that?” She asked shaking her head at them.

“We thought it would be funny, and it was.” Matt said grinning.

“That’s why we threw the buckets of water on Teri. They bet us double or nothing.” Ashley threw in with a grin.
“You boys should be ashamed of yourselves. You stood by while I tore into that poor girl.” Laura said in disgust. “Your father’s going to have a word with you about this.” She said heading off to wake her husband.

“Shit, let’s get the hell out of here.” Matt told Colby.

“See you back in L.A.” Colby told Doug heading for the door.

“You bastard, why did you have to drag Jeff and I into this.” Doug called after them.

Colby got into the passenger side of the car he and Matt had rented.

“We need to talk.” Matt said sliding into driver’s seat.

“About what?” Colby asked.

“About Mindy. You spent the night with her?” Matt said.

“Nothing happened.” Colby muttered.

“My ass, you were messing around with her under the table at the restaurant.” Matt accused. “And before that you were making out with her in the parking lot.”

“So?” Colby replied as Matt started the car.

“She’s only fifteen!” He replied driving up the hill.

“I know that.” He replied. Just what he needed a guilt trip from Matt.

“Are you having sex with her?” Matt asked point blank.

“Not exactly.” Colby said.

“What’s that suppose to mean?” He asked pulling onto the highway.

“We haven’t had intercourse.”

“What have you done?” Matt asked with a frown.

“Pretty much everything else.” Colby admitted. He couldn’t lie to Matt, they were too close.

“Christ Colby! You’re looking at a jail sentence if anyone finds out!”

“I know what I’m doing.” Colby replied.

“Really? Christ I thought you were smarter then this. You know the law! How long has this been going on?”

“It started in May.” Colby went on to fill Matt in on how it had all gotten started. “I never intended for things to get so out of hand. But I can’t seem to keep my hands off her. I’m in love with her.”

“Yeah, I’ve known that for a while.” Matt admitted. “I hope you know what you’re doing. Because I would hate to see you locked up.”

Mindy was able to sleep until ten. She woke to the sound of someone knocking on the cabin door. “I’m getting up.” She called. Ashley and Mandy must have snuck off to see her. She pulled her clothes on before opening the cabin door. “Shit!” She muttered when she saw that it was Jeff waiting for her.

“I told you we were gonna talk.” Jeff said with a smile.

“What do you want Jeff?” Mindy muttered coming up onto the deck.

“I want you to tell me what Amber said?” He replied.

“Why don’t you ask Amber?” Mindy said pulling on her shoes.

“Tell me, or I’ll toss you off this boat.” Jeff told her.

“You do and I’ll tell Colby.” She shot back. He would do it she knew.

“He’s gone.” Jeff replied with a shrug. He got up and started toward her. “What’s it going to be?”

“I already told you what she said.” Mindy answered backing up.

“Tell me exactly what she told you?” Jeff asked towering over her.

“She got tired of just having sex with you. She wanted you to make love to her.” Mindy answered backing up some more.

“What do you mean?” Jeff asked.

“She wanted you to hold her, and care for her. She got tired of you always pawing at her.” Mindy said with a sigh. “It was always about you when you we’re in bed together. She wants someone that will put her needs first. That’s all I know.”

“Why didn’t she tell me this?” He asked.

“She tried, but you never seemed to hear her. Let it go Jeff, she’s seeing someone else now.” Mindy told him.

“What? Who?” Jeff demanded feeling as if he had been stabbed.

“I don’t know, she wouldn’t tell me.” Mindy admitted.

“Dammit!” He said before getting off her boat. He brushed past Doug who was walking toward her boat.
“Mindy I need to talk to you?” Doug said frowning at his retreating brother. “What did he want?”

“Information about Amber.” Mindy replied taking a seat in the driver’s chair. “What do you want to talk about?”

“We need to discuss your relationship with my brother.” Doug answered climbing into her boat.

“Were just friends.” She lied.

“He slept with you last night. I was here when he got off your boat.”
Shit! What was she suppose to do now?

“I want to know what happened last night?” Doug asked her when she didn’t say anything.

“Nothing, we just talked.” Mindy answered.

“I don’t believe you.” He told her with a frown.

“It’s true.” She said not meeting his eyes.

“Colby could get into a lot of trouble if people found out he stayed on your boat last night.” He replied.

“I’m not going to tell anyone.” She told him meeting his gaze.

“It would be better if you didn’t see my brother anymore.” He told her getting up. He had noticed Ashley and Mandy coming toward the boat. “I thought you were grounded.” He called out.

“Not anymore, thanks to Matt. You and Jeff are in big trouble. Dad’s pissed.” Ashley replied as Doug climbed out of the boat.

“I’m gonna wring Matt’s neck.” Doug muttered as he walked away.
“What did Matt do?” Mindy asked them when they had climbed onto her boat.

“He told Mom that he, Doug and Jeff, had bet you a hundred bucks that you didn’t have the guts to push Colby and Teri in.” Ashley told her with a grin.

“That’s not the best part.” Mandy said with a grin. “Colby broke up with Teri.”

“Are you sure?” Mindy asked.

“Yup, I overheard Mom and Dad talking about it. Teri was waiting for Colby when he got home this morning. They got into a huge fight and broke up. Teri left in tears.” Mandy told her with glee.

“Sweet.” Mindy said with a huge grin. She had never been so happy. Colby had told her he loved her. She couldn’t believe it, and now he’d gotten rid of Teri for her. She pinched herself to see if she was dreaming. Mindy was walking on air as she walked along the dock with Ashley and Mandy.

“Isn’t that Amber?” Ashley asked pointing to a woman coming down the dock.

“Yes.” Mindy said surprised to see her. “Hey Amber!” Mindy called.

“Hi Mindy!” Amber said with a smile as she joined them.

“Did you come up to ride in my new boat?” Mindy asked with a grin.

“If you’re looking for Jeff, he’s up at the house.” Ashley told her.

“No, I was looking for Colby.” Amber replied.

“He’s on his way back to L.A.” Mandy told her.

“Why are you looking for Colby?” Mindy asked. She was confused.
“Well, we’ve been seeing each other.” Amber admitted. Colby had told her not to say anything about them to Mindy. But Amber, thought that was silly.

“What?” They all said at once.

“I thought you were with Jeff?” Ashley asked.

“We broke up.” Amber reminded them.

“So how long have you been seeing Colby?” Ashley asked with a frown.

“We got together in June.”

“Colby never said anything about it.” Mindy said. She felt as if she had been stabbed in the chest.

“You know how private Colby is.” Amber answered. She hadn’t expected Mindy to take it so hard. She looked like she was about to cry.

“I’ve gotta go, I promised my dad I would help him pack up.” Mindy told them before quickly walking away. She was blinded by tears and slammed into Jeff.

“What’s wrong with you?” Jeff asked reaching out to steady her.
“Colby and Amber are seeing each other. He’s the guy she’s been seeing. He lied to me!” Mindy cried. She was to upset to guard her words.

“What? I’m gonna kill him.” Jeff said storming down the dock to confront Amber who was walking toward them a worried frown on her face.

“Is it true.” Jeff demanded grabbing her arm. “Are you seeing Colby?”

“That’s none of your business.” Amber said. Seeing Mindy’s tears she felt terrible. She knew about Mindy’s crush on Colby. But she hadn’t thought she would be so upset.

“Why Amber?” Jeff asked giving her a shake.

“Because he’s loving and considerate! And the best lover I’ve ever had!” Amber yelled at him.

“You slept with him?” He asked the blood draining from his face.

“Yes.” Amber said jerking her arm free.
Mindy didn’t hear anymore. She was dimly aware of Doug arriving to break up the fight. She just stood there crying.

“Don’t cry Mindy.” Mandy told her wrapping her arms around her friend.

“Colby’s a jerk!” Ashley told her.

“Mindy here comes you’re Dad.” Mandy said.

“Great.” She replied. She quickly wiped her face with her shirt. She had to get a hold of herself. She could fall apart when she got home. But for now she needed to put on a brave face.

“What’s going on?” Her Dad asked.

“Nothing, Jeff and Doug are just arguing about some stupid case.” Mindy told her Dad forcing a smile for him.

“You look like you’ve been crying.” Her Dad pointed out. Her eyes were red.

“I got some dirt under my contacts.” Mindy said with a shrug.

“You ready to go.” He asked with a frown. Something was wrong.

“Yeah, let’s get the boat loaded.” She said grimly. She was going to sell the boat, or trade it in. She couldn’t sleep on it after last night with Colby. The lying bastard!! No, I’m not going to think about it right now, she told herself. “See you guys later.” She told Ashley and Mandy as she walked off toward her boat.

“That jerk!! I’m gonna kill him.” Ashley told Mandy.

“Is Mindy alright?” Amber asked coming over to talk to them.

“No.” Ashley replied. “If you and Colby are together why weren’t you here with him this weekend?”

“Colby broke it off with me.” Amber admitted. “I came up here to see if I could convince him to give it another chance.”

“I was hoping to convince Mindy to talk to him. Surely she’ll agree I’m much better suited for him then Teri.”

“They broke up this morning. So you won’t need Mindy’s help.” Mandy told her with a frown. Something weird was going on.

“I think you better leave Mindy alone.” Doug told her. Jeff had stormed off.

“Where’s Jeff?” Ashley asked.

“Probably on his way back to Spokane to get a flight to L.A. So he can kick Colby’s ass.” He replied frowning at Amber.

“Good! Colby deserves it!” Ashley said heading back up to the house.

“Where’s Mindy?” Doug asked Mandy.

“With her Dad, their packing up to leave.” Mandy answered before taking off to follow Ashley.

“Do we have to help her out?” Matt asked watching Teri swim toward the edge of the dock.

“I vote we leave her in there.” Ashley said smiling. She was rewarded by Teri’s glare.

“What are you waiting for, pull that poor girl out.” Colby’s mother told them.

With a sigh, Jeff reached down to pull Teri out. “Gee, thanks for helping me out Colby.” Teri said sarcastically, her teeth chattering.
“Oh you poor dear!” Colby’s mother said wrapping her in a towel. Before turning to Mindy who was standing with Mandy and Ashley. “That was totally uncalled for.” Laura scolded with a frown. “I think it would be best if you didn’t come around anymore.”

“Mom, it wasn’t her fault, Teri asked for it!” Ashley said jumping to Mindy’s defense.

“Yeah Mom, she’s a bitch.” Mandy put in without thinking.

“Amanda! Such language!” Laura said frowning.

“Sorry Mom. But it’s true!” Mandy said defiantly.

“You girls get on the boat.” Laura told them. “I’ve had enough.”

“As for you young lady, I think you’ve caused enough trouble for one day.” Laura told Mindy.

Mindy remained silent not missing the look of victory on Teri’s face. She had gotten her wish. Mindy would not be welcome in the Morgan clan anymore. She fought back tears, and swallowed hard. She wouldn’t give Teri the satisfaction of seeing her tears.
“I think you owe Colby and Teri an apology.” Laura told her sternly.
No way! Mindy thought to herself, she would rather die then apologize to the bitch. “They got what was coming to them.” She said defiantly.

“Mom, it’s not that big of deal. We’ve been pushing each other in for years. I’ve tossed Mindy off the dock a couple times.” Colby said, aware that Mindy was digging herself into a very deep hole.

“That may be, but Teri has never done anything like that.” Laura told her son still frowning at Mindy.

“She’s done plenty, just not in front of you.” Colby replied.

“It doesn’t matter.” Laura said with a shake of her head. “I won’t tolerate such behavior.”

Mindy was cold and wet. She turned to leave, before she started to cry. She walked away heading to her boat. She hurt so bad she thought she might die. Why had she done something so stupid! Maybe it was for the best, she tried to tell herself. But her heart wouldn’t listen. She could barely see the dock through her tears.
Colby watched her his heart aching for her when he saw her shoulders jerk. She’s crying he thought angrily. He didn’t miss the look of victory in Teri’s face. Why the hell had he ever gone out with her? He turned away in disgust. In the next moment he heard a terrible shriek. Turning he watched as another bucket of ice water hit Teri. This time Mandy was the one tossing the water. Ashley was at her side with an empty bucket in her hand. They both smiled as Teri hopped up and down screaming. Matt, Jeff and Doug all had a good laugh. Laura however didn’t find it at all amusing. “You girls put those buckets down this instance. I can’t believe that you would do such a horrible thing to poor Teri. You’re both grounded, now get on the boat.” She ordered angrily. “Teri you poor thing, come with me. Will get you dried off. I’m sure I can find something for you to change into.” Laura said leading an enraged Teri to the boat.
“What the hell is going on out here.” Robert asked coming out of the cabin. “Get your asses on the boat.” He ordered angrily. Doug and Jeff did as they were told. Colby untied the boat from the dock. Pushing it away from the dock. “What are you doing? Aren’t you coming with us?” Robert asked Colby as the boat drifted away from the dock.

“No, I’m going back to the house. I need to shower and change.” Colby lied smoothly.

“What about the firework show?” Robert asked.

“I can see it from the house.” Colby replied with a shrug. He watched the boat head out into the bay. When it was gone he headed toward Mindy’s boat. It was time they had a long talk about things. He shivered in his wet clothes. He had grabbed his duffel bag from the boat so that he could change out of his wet clothes.
Mindy was inside the cabin of her boat stripping off her wet things. When she felt someone jump onto the boat. Probably Dad or Daniel she thought. Grabbing a towel she dried herself off. Her teeth were chattering from the cold.

“Mindy!” Colby called to her through the closed cabin door.

“Colby?” What the hell is he doing on my boat, she wondered?

“Is your Dad planning to take your boat out on the lake for the firework show?” Colby called sitting down in the drivers chair. The keys were in the ignition.

“No!” She called still trying to dry herself off. To her surprise she heard the engine of her boat start. Followed by the boat moving. He’s taking my boat out. Of all the nerve! She pulled on a pair sweatpants that said Stanford, and a Stanford sweat shirt that Colby had given her. She didn’t want to where his stupid school colors, but she didn’t have any other sweats and she was cold. The boat bounced across a couple waves and she had to grab onto the wall to steady herself. Dammit he had no right to take her boat out! She sat down on the bed to pull her socks on. I’m not going to talk to him, she decided. I’ll just stay down here, he can sit up there all by himself. She grabbed her brush and brushed her hair. She then sat there on the bed as the boat bounced over the waves. Where is he going? The boat finally stopped, and Colby killed the engine. Mindy reached over to turn the cabin light off. She didn’t want to run the battery down. She sat there in the dark. Dammit! This is my boat! She opened the door intending to tell him to get off. And was rewarded with an excellent view of Colby’s bare butt. “What are you doing?” Mindy demanded.
“Changing my clothes, since mine are wet.” Colby told her over his shroulder. He bent to pull on a pair of blue sweatpants.

“I didn’t give you permission to take my boat out.” Mindy told him recovering herself.

“We need to talk.” Colby told her turning around. He was still bare from the waist up.

“I don’t want to talk to you. And put a shirt on.” Mindy muttered climbing up the stairs. She pushed past him, taking a seat on the rear bench.

“Why?” He asked picking up his sweatshirt.

“It’s a rule. Clothing is required on my boat.” She told him folding her arms. She was still cold, she rubbed her arms.

“Why don’t you want to talk to me?” Colby said smiling over her rule about clothing.

“I just don’t.” Mindy muttered pushing past him to go to her cabin.

“Oh no you don’t, you’re staying up here.” Colby told her grabbing her arm.

“I’m just going to get a blanket. I’m cold.” She said jerking her arm free. She grabbed her quilt off the bed wrapping it around her. “Why aren’t you out on your parents boat?” Mindy asked coming back up from the cabin.

“We needed to talk.” Colby told her again. He watched her take a seat on the back bench wrapping the blanket around her. He sat down beside her.

“So talk.” She said wrapping the blanket tighter. She was so cold her teeth were chattering.

“Come here.” He said with a sigh. He picked her up in his arms and settled her on his lap.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Warming you up.” He said holding her close.

“I’m warm enough.” She told him.

“That’s why your teeth are chattering?” Colby asked with a smile.

“Why aren’t you with your family? You’re going to miss the firework show.” Mindy asked feeling warmer in his arms.

“I wanted to be with you.” Colby told her.

“What about Teri?” She asked.

“I came up here to see you not her.” Colby told her gently.

“Then why is she here?” She asked afraid to believe in what he was telling her.

“My mother invited her.” Colby said with a sigh. “You know you could share that blanket.”

“Are you cold?” Mindy asked.

“Yes, you did push me into the lake.” He told her with a frown.

“You deserved it.” She replied. She was still mad at him for kissing Teri. So he could just freeze!

“I didn’t kiss her, she kissed me.” He told her firmly.

“It looked mutual to me.” She said trying to move off his lap, but he held her firmly in place. “Let me go.” She muttered.

“No.” Colby told her. He leaned down to kiss her. But she was in no mood to kiss him. She pushed him away.

“Look Colby, I don’t know what you’re trying to pull. But I’m sick of it! You can’t have it both ways. So choose it’s either me or her!” Mindy told him.

“I choose you.” He told her quietly.
She hadn’t been expecting that. She too stunned to reply. Colby unwrapped her blanket pulling it off of her. She just sat there trying to wrap her mind around what he had said. He wrapped the blanket around his shoulders before enclosing her in the blanket.

“Are you serious? You’re going to break it off with Teri?” She asked still not believing she had won.

“Yes.” Colby told her brushing the hair out of her face. “I love you, I’ve always loved you.” He leaned down to kiss her. This time she didn’t stop him. Her heart swelled with joy as she kissed him back. If she was dreaming, she never wanted to wake. They continued to kiss lost in each other the kisses deepening. The firework show started causing them to break apart. They stared up at the sky watching as fireworks lit the sky. They watched the entire show wrapped in each others arms. When the show was over they moved to the bed in the cabin. Mindy turned on a battery operated lantern. Lighting up the cabin, they stretched out on the bed. Mindy pulled off her top, while Colby pulled his off. She sank back against the bed as he kissed her again. His hands moved over her body caressing her naked breasts. His mouth moved over her skin, setting her on fire. He pulled her sweatpants off. Pushing her legs apart he ran his lips up her legs and down her inner thigh. His fingers lightly caressed that secret spot, driving her wild. She groaned as she felt his mouth settle on her. His tongue moved over her throbbing flesh bringing out her wildest desires. There was no holding back this time. They made love to each other with all their heart and soul. Colby still refused to have intercourse with her. But he did allow her to touch and explore his body. She made love to him with her mouth. Something she had never imagined doing. Her inexperience drove Colby wild, and it wasn’t long before he pushed her away as he came. Lying in each others arms afterward they were totally spent. They crawled under the blankets, and drifted asleep holding each other.

“What are you doing he asked swallowing hard, he was tempted to pull the skirt up and look. But as Mindy leaned further over the seat to reach the floor in the back her skirt drifted up on it’s own. And he had a nice view of her butt. So would anyone that walked by he thought grimly. “Are you forgetting your lack undergarments?” He asked growing aroused.
“No, but I’m wearing a skirt, so what’s the big deal.” She said straining to reach her purse.
“Your skirt isn’t covering anything right now.” He told her fighting the urge to touch her.
“What?” she said pushing herself back to a sitting position having gotten her purse. She began digging through it, until she found some breath mints. With relief she popped one in her mouth. She wanted to get rig of the bad taste in her mouth. Sucking on the mint she gazed at Colby. “What about my skirt?”
“Never mind.” He said shifting. “Just sit still for a few minutes.” He asked, fighting the urge to touch her. He could feel his hardness pressing against his shorts. He had never had so many erections in one day. The little vixen he thought.
“What’s your problem?” She asked settling back down beside him. She cuddled up against him laying her head on his shoulder again. She rested her hand against his solid chest. She wished he wasn’t wearing a shirt. She would love to run her hand through the hair on his chest. If his shirt wasn’t tucked in she could slip her hand underneath it. Oh well she thought, moving her hand over his chest. She liked the feel of him, she let her hand drift lower over his stomach.
“I thought I said sit still.” Colby muttered catching her wandering hand that was slipping lower.
“What?” She asked the picture of innocence. She had finished her mint. They were alone she thought.
“I think you’d better move further over.” Colby told her very aware of her thoughts and where they were leading. He was determined to avoid anymore incidents with her, especially in public.
“Okay.” She said and promptly straddling him.
“I meant that direction.” He said too late. Before he could move her she kissed him, running her tongue over his lips. He groaned desire shooting through him. She could feel his hardness under her as she straddled him. His hands were cupping her breasts through her shirt. In the next moment he was pushing her off his lap, breaking the kiss. “We can’t do this here. There’s too many people around.” He told her panting. He needed to get away from her before he lost control completely. Getting out of the truck he shut the door and leaned against the side. Christ! He thought, this is getting out of hand. She was driving him crazy. The fact that she was growing more daring around him was a real problem. He couldn’t believe she wasn’t wearing any panties under her skirt. Something that wasn’t at all normal for her he knew. They needed to set some serious ground rules that included her wearing under garments at all times.
Opening the driver’s door, Mindy got out, and walked around too where Colby was still leaning against the side of the truck. “Are you still mad?” She asked joining him.
“I’m not mad.” He told her looking at her.
“Could have fooled me.” Mindy muttered leaning against the Ram.
“We need to be more careful, especially in public.” He told her with a deep sigh.
“Sorry.” She said. This was all very confusing for her. And her hormones were running out of control.
“It’s okay, we just need to have some ground rules. Will talk about it later.” He said as he noticed his family walking toward the truck.
“Here, they boxed up your food.” Jeff said handing Colby a box.
“Here’s yours Mindy.” Mandy said handing her a box. “Are you feeling better?” She asked.
“A little, I’m hungry.” She said opening the box.
“I slipped some silverware in my purse.” Caroline told her, handing her a fork.
“That’s stealing.” Matt pointed out absently. He was studying Mindy. She was still a bit flushed. And he didn’t think it was from being ill.
“I can bring the stuff back next time we eat here.” She said handing Colby a fork and steak knife. Mindy had climbed back into the truck to eat. Colby did the same, sitting next to her on the front seat.
“Who’s gonna drive?” Jeff asked them.
“Mandy can.” Colby said. He had drunk a couple glasses of wine.
“No she can’t.” Jeff said in disgust. “She’s been drinking.”
“What?” Colby said looking at Jeff in surpprise.
“I caught her downing a glass of wine when we got back to the table.” Jeff answered frowning.
“It was only one glass, I’m not drunk.” Mandy said in her defense.
“That’s not the point!” Jeff replied.
“Guess Mindy will have to drive. She’s the only one who hasn’t had anything to drink.” Matt said to them.
“Fine by me.” Mindy shrugged between bites.
“Dad’s insurance won’t cover her.” Jeff told them shaking his head at Matt.
“So?” Matt asked. “She’s not gonna get in a wreck.”
“How do you know?” Jeff asked.
“I don’t, but she’s the only sober driver we have. So she drives.” Matt answered.
“This is a awful big rig.” Jeff stated looking at the Ram.
“Oh give me a break. I driven grain trucks that are a lot bigger then this.” Mindy said between bites of food. “My Dad owns a truck just l.ike this one. I drive it all the time.” Mindy quickly finished her dinner. Taking the keys, Colby handed her. She slid behind the wheel, and moved the seat forward. She waited while everyone climbed in. Matt and Jeff climbed into the back seat. Mandy was seated in the front seat between Mindy and Colby. Mandy ajusted the radio as Mindy backed the truck up. As Mindy, pulled onto the road from the parking lot. She hit the gas, spinning the tires as the truck sped forward throwing dirt and gravel up.
“Take it easy.” Jeff demanded.
Ignoring him Mindy turned the radio up and sped down the highway. She weaved in and out of traffic. Completely, at ease behind the wheel of the powerful truck.
“How fast are you going?” Jeff demanded as they passed yet another car. He sat forward to look over the seat at the speedometer. “Dammit she’s going eighty! Slow down!”
“What is your problem?” Mindy asked slowing down.
“I’d like to get back in one piece.” Jeff answered sitting back.
“Relax I know what I’m doing.” Mindy assured him with a smile.
“Your gonna get a ticket.” Colby warned her.
“Fine I’ll do the speed limit.” Mindy muttered. It was a quiet ride, the music blaring so loud no one bothered to talk. As they passed by the mall in Sandpoint, Mindy glanced into the parking lot and smiled as she saw Todd’s car pulling into the parking lot. Without warning she turned into the lot. Everyone was thrown sideways.
“What the hell are you doing?” Jeff demanded his heart pounding. “That’s it I’m driving, she’s crazy.”
Ignoring him Mindy parked the truck in a space near Todd’s car. She quickly hopped out of the truck. Running toward Todd who was walking toward the mall. She jumped on him from behind, nearly knocking him over.
“Guess who?” She said into his ear.
“Shit! Mindy!” Todd gasped his heart pounding from the scare she had given him. She let go of him, allowing him to turn around. She hugged him laughing.
“Did I scare you?” She asked when he let her go.
“Hell yes? What are you doing here?” He asked still in shock.
“I’m staying up at the lake, my friend’s and I went out to dinner. We were headed back to the lake when I saw your car.” She answered pointing at her friends. “Mandy!” She called over her shoulder. “Come here, there’s someone I want you to meet!”
Mandy was sTering with her brother’s. They had all gotten out of the truck when Mindy had taken off. Colby had watched her jump on Todd’s back with a frown. He didn’t like the way she threw herself into Todd’s welcoming embrace either.
“Christ, what now?” Jeff asked coming to stand with Colby. “Great, I suppose that’s her boyfriend!”
Colby didn’t answer. He was watching Mindy’s interaction with Todd closely. She liked Todd an awful lot. But her feelings weren’t of a romantic nature, yet? But he sensed it could go that way very easily. Todd was interested in her, that much was clear. The way he kept touching her said it all. The fact that Mindy welcomed his touches set Colby’s nerves on edge. He watched Todd put an arm around her as they walked toward the mall entrance with Mandy.
“Oh hell no! Where the hell do they think their going!” Jeff said angrily as he stalked after them.
“Mindy seems to be pretty friendly with that guy, must be a friend.” Matt commented studying Colby’s frown.
“He is.” Colby muttered before following Jeff toward the mall.
Todd, Mindy, and Mandy, walked through the mall talking. Spotting a music store Mandy said “Hey let’s go in there.” She headed off to the store not waiting for them.
“Mindy I gotta go.” Todd said. “I’m suppose to meet someone down by the food court.”
“Who is she?” Mindy asked with a knowing smile.
“Just a girl I know from Endicott.” Todd answered evasively.
“That’s okay, I need to get my friends back to the lake before the firework show.” She assured him with a smile. Giving him a goodbye hug.
Seeing her in Todd’s arms again didn’t improve Colby’s mood any. Did she have to hug him again, because he didn’t think so. He watched Mindy wave goodbye before turning toward him as they approached her. She started to smile at him, but stopped when she saw his frown.
“What are you doing?” He demanded unable to hide his irritation.
“Talking with my friend Todd.” She said defensively.
“We need to get back to the lake. We don’t have time for this.” Jeff added angrily.
“It’s only a little after seven, we’ve got plenty of time.” Mindy said looking at her watch.
“Where’s Mandy?” Matt asked calmly with a smile.
“She went to the music store to look at CD’s.” Mindy answered pointing to a store behind them.
“Great!” Jeff said stalking off toward the store.
“What’s the big deal? The firework show isn’t until ten.” Mindy said turning to hurry after Jeff. He looked ready to kill. She felt Colby take her hand in his and smiled as they continued into the store. They found Mandy looking at CD’s in the back of the store. Jeff was there as well glaring at his sister who was ignoring him. “Hey Mandy I guess we need to get going. The guys are pitching fits to get back.”
“Where’s Todd?” Mandy asked not looking up as she read the back of a cd.
“He’s meeting some girl down by the food court.” Mindy told her not the least bit bothered. Clearly she didn’t see Todd in that light. Colby was relieved by that. But still felt that Todd presented a threat. It only took one kiss to change things in a friendship. How well he knew that.
“Come on let’s get going.” Colby told his sister.
“Fine.” Mandy said putting the cd back. They all walked together back to the truck. The ride back to the lake was made with few words. Everyone lost in their own thoughts. Arriving at the lake, Mindy drove down to the dock. Where she got out, the other’s headed back up to their house. Mindy walked up the dock alone, and climbed onto her boat. Mike and Ashley were there sitting together on the rear bench seat, drinking beer from cans.
“Don’t tell your brother’s you got that beer off my boat.” Mindy warned them taking a seat across from them.
“Did you have a fun dinner?” Ashley asked as she took a seat.
“Not really, I got sick again.” Mindy confessed to them.
“Colby’s in big trouble.” Ashley said after a moment. “Mom was real pissed about him taking off.”
“How did Teri take it?” Mindy asked Ashley with a smile.
“She was pissed!” Ashley said with a laugh.
“Good.” Mindy said enjoying the fact that Colby had ditched Teri to be with her.
“Dinner sucked, Doug can’t barbecue worth a shit. And Dad wasn’t much help, to many drinks.” Ashley continued. They should have went with Mindy. “We came down here to get away from the fighting.” And to make love she thought to herself, feeling well satisfied. Her parents had been too pissed off at Colby to notice them leaving. They sat on the boat until nearly nine. Then it was time to head over to the cabin cruiser. Mindy followed along intending to get some snack food from the store. Colby’s family was gathered on the dock near their cabin cruiser, when Ashley and Mike arrived. The guys were loading coolers onto the boat. The cruiser was tied up in front of the store being refueled by Jim MacDonald. Colby was sTering on the edge of the dock at the back of the boat. He had gotten his ass chewed by his parents for his inconsiderate behavior, which wasn’t a surprise. He smiled remembering the feel of Mindy’s hand on his penis. It had been worth it! Because he was distracted by his thoughts of Mindy, he didn’t sense Teri approaching him. As he turned away from the edge of the dock Teri was there. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him into an unexpected kiss. Caught off his guard he didn’t pull back. Mindy had come out of the store with a bag of snack foods. She watched Teri kiss Colby, anger exploding. Without thinking she dropped the sack she was carrying and charged into them, intending to push them off the dock. She managed to knock them both into the lake, but ended up falling in as well. She hit the icy cold water, coming up with a gasp. Teri was screaming in outrage. Colby had surfaced but said nothing. His family was gathered a long the edge of the dock watching Teri thrash about screaming. Talk about creating a scene he thought in disgust.
“Are you alright?” Colby’s Mom asked. She had seen Mindy push them in.
“Yes.” Colby answered starting to swim in.
“What’s wrong Teri, water too cold for you?” Mindy taunted her.
“You little bitch!” Teri said before reaching out to grab her. But Mindy was too quick for her. She dove under the water, coming up behind Teri. She jumped on her dunking her. She gave a start as Colby grabbed her from behind pulling her off Teri. She struggled to get free but he was too strong. She expected to get dunked, but instead he pulled her toward the dock. When they reached the edge, Matt reached down for her. Taking his hand he easily pulled her up onto the dock. Matt and Jeff helped Colby up onto the dock. They then turned to Teri who was till raising hell about being pushed in.

This article was written by my brother about a huge problem facing the U.S. Food shortages are becoming more and more of a problem and prices are reflecting this problem. Many of you may not be aware of the CRP program. I am a fourth generation farm girl. Years ago our family farm was put into CRP as we could no longer afford to farm it. Now that prices are skyrocketing we could once again afford to farm our ground at a good profit. This article tells the public why Farmers still aren't taking their land out of CRP. Under the current program the food shortage is going to get worse not better.

The U.S. Must Put More Land Into Production

by Dryson Dunnar, Apr 22, 2008
The U.S. government must encourage farmers to take land out of CRP and put it back in production to curve world food shortages.

For the past many years now farmers have been putting their land into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). The original intentions of the program were to encourage farmers to take their poorest producing land and give it back to nature. Simply put the government pays farms to plant grass sometimes trees.

But over the years more and more productive land was placed into the program, as with the depress prices over a twenty year span made farming, but for the biggest farms uneconomical. As this writer comes from a farming family I know that at the time my family put its land reluctantly into CRP, the price was hovering at about $3.00 a bushel, the cost to raise the crop higher than what we got for it. Now our land wasn't the best, it could be considered average, still worth farming if the price for grain was reasonable. It is not until these last couple years with sky rocketing prices that farming has once again turn profitable.

So the CRP turned into a welfare system for farmers who would otherwise go belly up and lose everything. For those farms that put all of their land in CRP, it offered stability and a way to survive. The program also indirectly helped farmers that stayed with farming, by reducing surplus so helping increase the grain prices gradually.

Now things have changed quite a bit from those grim days for farmers. Prices have turned a full 180, now no longer too low but two high. People around the world are increasingly going hungry. Even here in the US and other wealthy nations the average consumer has felt the pinch of higher prices, just one more thing to fuel recession.

The answer is simple we must grow more food. For the developing world this means largely investing in more efficient agriculture to produce higher crop yields. For the US where agricultural methods are well developed to produce high yields, former farmland must be placed back into production.

Seems simple, but the main hurdle for US farmers is the CRP program, the same program that has helped many farmers. Two main problems, first the program imposes stiff penalties on any farmer trying to opt out early not only must the farmer pay back every dime but also interest and other penalties, which for most makes opting out and economic impossibility especially if one is well into their contract. Second for those who put their whole farm into CRP, most of the farm equipment often or not has been sold. So any farmer interested in restarting must buy all new equipment or lease the land out that is if he can find another farmer willing to. Equipment is not cheap and with current credit crisis getting a loan would likely be challenging.

The solutions to these problems are easy enough to solve, but they will require and act of Congress. Two things must be done, by Congress. First the rules must be changed so that farmers can opt out without crushing payback and penalties, no payback and penalties at all would be best. Second low interest government loans for first year startup cost, somewhere in the amount of 100,000 dollars per thousand acres with a limit of 400,000 dollars, this would cover well the startup cost needs of small to mid size farms.

The benefits of such congressional action would be wide spread both nationally and world wide. Taxpayers would well benefit from a reduction of CRP program cost and loans paid back with interest, as well as a lower food bill. World wide increased amount of food would lower prices to reasonable levels, hence breeding stability.

The outlook of no or insufficient action would bold ill for the nation and especially the world. Nationally high food prices would be just one more thing continuing to weigh us down. For the world much more grim in third world and developing nations, food shortages will led to famine, famine to death and instability. There are few things more horrible than starving.

The intentions of this article are not to advocate ending the CRP program, but to help provide solutions to the world wide food shortage. By encouraging voters to encourage their congressmen to enact legislation that would encourage and help farmers to place productive land back into production, for the good of the nation and world. This must be acted on soon, as it takes time to put land back into production. The seeds sown this year won't be harvest until next year. I encourage all who read this article to contact their respective congressmen either by email or phone. Do it today as Congress even now works on the farm bill. Act today to make a difference for tomorrow.