This was one of the most moving emails I have ever received. I read part of it on the air today and I really simply could not read the entire thing, it was to emotional. I never expected the message of TSP to reach this far across this many cultural boundaries. I guess this is why the Chinese censor the internet?
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Hello Jack:
David xxxxx here... a loyal listener, and Brigade member... originally from the farm lands of Southern N.J., a.k.a. Ha Ha Ha. "the Garden State", so they dare say. And Thanks to You, my wife and I will this year will reside in the rural Western hills of North Carolina on a nice 5.2 acre location which we will turn into paradise.
At this time I am currently in xxxxx, Iraq. in the epicenter of xxxx territory. I am a civilian contractor, a Project manager, for an Iraqi formed company who has been awarded many contacts from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build new construction and/or re-build all that was destroyed here due to the war.
I am the only Caucasian male in the midst of 600 Iraqi workers, in an isolated area in xxxxx Provence, where we look to the East at the mountains of Iran. With field glasses we take turns watching the Iranians looking at us with their field glasses wondering what we will do next or who will attack or assault who first.
NOW the great thing and the purpose for my email ... is You and the T.S.P.. which via satellite, I have an Internet connection and listen to you each day, and when there is no show I go back and listen to every podcast you have in archives. As you can imagine being here is a hard life the work is hard, seven days a week usually 12 - 14 hours per day. No days off, only occasionally a Muslim or Iraqi holiday...so... in the midst of that, you and T.S.P. keep me going.
I have been a "self sufficiency - back seat driver" since I read my first issue of The Mother Earth News, when John and Jane Shuttleworth put out their first issue in January 1970. From there Stewart Brand and the Whole Earth Catalog and of course Co Evolution Quarterly.... with each issue that came out. Now I am in 4 Wheel Drive moving towards "self sufficiency" ... my whole energy level has been raised and my life is now absent of the suburban lethargy that has been my self imposed disease of ignorance and lack of responsibility for my own direction in life.
Now the interesting part.... You have an Iraqi fan club audience now. When I listen to the podcasts, I have about 22 or so Iraqi citizens sitting with me who understand enough English to appreciate your messages. After the pod cast they ask questions, discuss the concepts and applications and are absorbing your messages as fast as they can listen to them. After we are done, they then spread the word to their Iraqi brethren and families when they return home they spread the word even farther.
They are now taking "action" to be more self sufficient and empowering than ever before. Jack, you have done something here that is helping to heal a very emotionally and psychologically damaged population here in Iraq. You give them hope, strength, knowledge, and the ability to look through and past the indoctrination of bad politics that has been their reality for almost two very sad generations now. You are the genesis of a healing that will continue to grow, because the people here spread "good news" and ideas like you can not imagine.
Their actions, farming, permaculture, their purchases and mail order items are now becoming more and more focused on self sufficiency and with the undercurrent of empowering themselves instead of looking at a broken government to provide for them. Jack, you are making history here in the Middle East.
So, from our little camp here at F.O.B. xxxxx, in xxxx a few hundred Iraqi's and I thank you in the most genuine way possible.... in that we are grateful for your messages and we will continue to spread the word and support your works.
Jack, One day I hope to shake your hand, possibly at one of the big events, which I will no doubt attend. Reborn and Revived from Lethargy, Social Impotence and Ignorance ...and eternally thankful!
For now.... Salaam Alaikum - peace be with you. David xxxxxxx
P.S. Just a couple of photos of the men at work. A good part of the day we talk amongst ourselves about the podcast.... many days that helps get us thru the day to finish the work. Hope empowers !
Pictures
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I have to say this is pretty amazing and quite humbling.
