20100305 📧 to Rutba folk

hi gang,

i wanted to let you know that i have finally finished digitizing my journals from our trip to rutbah.  i wanted to offer you the opportunity to read and listen to them if you are interested.  be forewarned, however, that there are 63 individual images (pages) and about an hour and a half of audio journals (which will make sense once you begin going through the files).  to make this really simple, i will be sending you a flickr 'guest pass' to access the album, since it is set to restricted access to protect privacy and unwarranted distribution.  i do ask that you do not replicate in any way the images or text you read or hear.  these are, after all, personal journals.

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be advised that i have not shared this with sami yet.  i think you are all aware that there was at least some level of tension there, with my being a combat vet, etc.  i am still trying to explore how to communicate most effectively with him, as i dont feel i really had the chance to when i was there, nor do i think the journals reflect my deeper sentiments on things, but just my immediate reactions to events.  if you are willing/able to help me work that out, i would appreciate it, but i also want to respect the time and energy burden that might impose.  dont feel obligated, but do know i welcome your suggestions.

with that, i will leave you all alone.  i will send you an invite now and hope it gets thru to you all.  if you are on the east coast later this month, please do consider attending the truth commission on conscience in war, where i will be testifying about my CO experience, but also my time in iraq recently, which has very much affected what i expect to say in new york at the event.

in the unity of the Spirit,

- Logan Mehl-Laituri