Outrage reverberated from Dunbar Village to Kuwait

C.B. Hanif for WAOD:

(Please bear with me while I get some items I'm working on posted. Meanwhile, this email from a friend who gave permission to publish verbatim.)

Interesting, I was doing business in Kuwait and read about this story . . . I recall being so frustrated about it that I could not eat breakfast.  I guess the conversation from the Kuwaitis at the neighboring table about the story did not help either .

I quickly wrote the piece below but it was not published (I never thought the Post would publish anyway)

Letter to the Editor –

Bring in the (Kuwaiti) Troops

On a recent business trip to Kuwait City, Kuwait, I had the unfortunate opportunity to re-read the tragic gang rape incident that occurred in Dunbar Village.  I earlier read the story in the Tampa Tribune, before departing.  I was outraged while reading the story the first time.  I became even more outraged, in fact furious this time, as I read the International Section of the Thursday, July 12 issue of the Kuwait Times.  The story prominently appeared above the fold on page 10, “Gang rape exposes crime-ridden Florida.”

Let’s put this in perspective.  Just 17 years ago as a young Company Commander my unit deployed to Kuwait to assist coalition forces in removing Iraqi soldiers from this country.  Kuwaiti women were at the forefront of international attention.   Following the Iraqi Army occupation of Kuwait In 1990, nearly 5000 Kuwaiti women were raped by Iraqi soldiers.  Even then, these were deplorable inconceivable acts of shameful disrespect and the world did not stand on the sidelines and observe for long.

Let’s fast-forward 17 years.  This time I was in a hotel in Kuwait enjoying breakfast just miles away from the Iraqi border where I re-read the story in the local paper about the gang rape in my hometown.  This story described how bad crime and poverty is in Dunbar Village.  The story was one of lawlessness and disrespect for fellow humans.  I recall reading similar stories about Kuwait before my unit deployed here in 1990.

How long can this go on?  How long before the elected and appointed officials in the community take a real stand and protect the lives of the innocent and unfortunate?  How much longer do we allow acts such as these continue to destroy our communities?

Well if we keep making international headlines, maybe the Government of Kuwait will get the message, and send in their troops to help us restore order this time!

Brian A. Butler

LTC (Retired), U. S. Army

President and CEO, Vistra Communications

Brian@ConsultVistra.com

Mr. Butler was born and raised in Palm Beach County and is a 1980 graduate of Suncoast High School.

Brian A. Butler

Vistra Communications, LLC

14452 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Suite 320

Tampa, FL 33613

o 813.830.7620 | d 813.763.2007 | f 813.242.7621

Brian@ConsultVistra.com

www.ConsultVistra.com

Interesting, I was doing business in Kuwait and read about this story . . . I recall being so frustrated about it that I could not eat breakfast.  I guess the conversation from the Kuwaitis at the neighboring table about the story did not help either .

I quickly wrote the piece below but it was not published (I never thought the Post would publish anyway)

Letter to the Editor –

Bring in the (Kuwaiti) Troops

On a recent business trip to Kuwait City, Kuwait, I had the unfortunate opportunity to re-read the tragic gang rape incident that occurred in Dunbar Village.  I earlier read the story in the Tampa Tribune, before departing.  I was outraged while reading the story the first time.  I became even more outraged, in fact furious this time, as I read the International Section of the Thursday, July 12 issue of the Kuwait Times.  The story prominently appeared above the fold on page 10, “Gang rape exposes crime-ridden Florida.”

Let’s put this in perspective.  Just 17 years ago as a young Company Commander my unit deployed to Kuwait to assist coalition forces in removing Iraqi soldiers from this country.  Kuwaiti women were at the forefront of international attention.   Following the Iraqi Army occupation of Kuwait In 1990, nearly 5000 Kuwaiti women were raped by Iraqi soldiers.  Even then, these were deplorable inconceivable acts of shameful disrespect and the world did not stand on the sidelines and observe for long.

Let’s fast-forward 17 years.  This time I was in a hotel in Kuwait enjoying breakfast just miles away from the Iraqi border where I re-read the story in the local paper about the gang rape in my hometown.  This story described how bad crime and poverty is in Dunbar Village.  The story was one of lawlessness and disrespect for fellow humans.  I recall reading similar stories about Kuwait before my unit deployed here in 1990.

How long can this go on?  How long before the elected and appointed officials in the community take a real stand and protect the lives of the innocent and unfortunate?  How much longer do we allow acts such as these continue to destroy our communities?

Well if we keep making international headlines, maybe the Government of Kuwait will get the message, and send in their troops to help us restore order this time!

Brian A. Butler

LTC (Retired), U. S. Army

President and CEO, Vistra Communications

Brian@ConsultVistra.com

Mr. Butler was born and raised in Palm Beach County and is a 1980 graduate of Suncoast High School.

Brian A. Butler

Vistra Communications, LLC

14452 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Suite 320

Tampa, FL 33613

o 813.830.7620 | d 813.763.2007 | f 813.242.7621

Brian@ConsultVistra.com

www.ConsultVistra.com