Yes, Congrats on being stateside once again.  I know your wife is thrilled
 
J o e y

Alan,
 
Congratulations on a safe deployment and return stateside.
 
Bradley

I think your picture is properly indecent. You have in your hands and in a foreign country what a people  
won the give food to his family for many years, and you are with military dresses. I can explain what I mean correctly in english but its indecent.

Pierreyves ... I THINK I know what you're trying to say however I have to respectfully disagree with your view point. First most people in Iraq have NO idea what an Alembic bass is or it's worth. It means nothing to them. Heck most people in the USA have no idea what an Alembic bass is or what it's worth. And I don't believe for a moment that Alan is flaunting his Alembic to show the Iraq people how RICH he is and how poor they are. Alan is a solder doing his job, he's proud of his uniform, he proud of his Alembic and no doubt proud to be an American. I'm sure he meant no harm when he had this photo taken and caused no harm by having the photo taken. I am an American and although I would like to see all our troops come home I support our troops for the job they do and respect and thank them for their sacrifice. Alan is in harms way ... he felt good about this photo, I say god bless him and I hope he can come home soon!

BTW I just finished the whole tread and see that Alan is back home ... welcome home!

Pierre-Yves,
 
    I was going to post something here, and it probably wouldn't have struck you as pleasant.  Please email me instead, and we can discuss your views privately, which I infer are somewhat politically motivated or influenced.
 
V/R,
 
Alan

Welcome home Alan, thank you for your service.

I'm sorry Alan but my english not permit to have a serious political discussion (??).
;o)

It's good to know your Bass wasnt hit by a roadside Bomb!

Pierre-Yves,
 
    Now I'm puzzled.  I guess my question would be that if you're not able to repsond due to a limited ability in English, why did you post a message that clearly implies either your political views, personal views, or both?  It's been my experience in this forum and others that if a person posts something even remotely referring to a topic some consider controversial (from your remarks, I can only deduce that you're not a fan of the U.S. Military, perhaps our actions in Iraq and elsewhere, and the fact that I have an instrument worth more than some Iraqis make in a year), it only leads to rants, raves, and generally bad karma for all involved.  May I respectfully suggest that you, I and all here stick to what brought us her in the first place - Alembics - and leave other commentary to private channels.
 
Alan

Bravo Alan!

I agree too and when I will have some time, I will answer in private to Alan.