We have been baking here on the Left Coast of America. Our high today in the Fresno area was supposed to reach 111 degrees. It's almost 8:30 p.m., and it's still 102 degrees here. This is unreal. We get pelted with a drought and now we get to suffer the effects of climate change in this sweltering summer heat.

I'm not enjoying this at all!

6 weeks of showers. nothing hard core, but it has rained or been overcast almost every day. it has really affected the holidays. it rained both memorial day and the 4th of july. and it's not raining, it's so steaming hot. i would like one day to go to the beach, without worrying if it's gonna be a rainout.

I'd trade Fresno's 111 degrees and a rained out trip to a Texas beach any day.

Try carrying 60+ pounds of body armor plus weapons and a full combat load in central Baghdad's 120 degree heat.

I guess it's all about perspective.

Wow PS4E! I had never noticed your locale. I would imagine that your case of a hot summer would top all of our complaints. How are you holding up, otherwise?

PS My brothers were in the USMC.

Doing just fine, Trojan...Thanks for asking. Only about 7 more weeks and the heat will break. We just have to remember to HYDRATE!!!

Things here are far different from what I see reported in the US media. Sometimes at the end of a day I can catch CNN or the US network/cable news programs on AFN, and the Baghdad I see there is not the one I see with my own eyes every day. The situation here is far more complex and far more nuanced than any discussion I see -- on the left or the right. If our leadership on BOTH sides of the aisle and special interests from the move-on.org/HuffPost crowd to the freepers would put more effort into supporting us out here than using Iraq as a poliitical weapon with which to beat each other, I have no doubt that the progress I see would be more evident. But that's a discussion for another time and place.

Morale here remains strong...thanks in part to wi-fi. How people went to war in years past without it is beyond me!

You all stay safe and cool as well, and take a dip in the ocean or pool for me!

Up to 120 here. Can't go outside, so I sit and read this board a lot!
Jill in AZ

My partner & I do that often during the summer so know that every time I'm in the pool or the beach be certain that I'll have you on my mind & prayers. Keep safe. Hugs.

Btw, it was predicted to be in the low 100s here in LAh LAh Land but it's only been in the low 90s. So thank God for that.

I remember when my brother was in Kuwait several years ago,he served several years in the Marines as an MP followed shortly thereafter with a stint in the Army which is how he ended up in Kuwait's Desert Storm.Anyway between the heat and the circumstances,he was lucky he survived and it sounds like even less of a picnic for you guys.Anyway thank you for all you are doing and again,may you stay safe and make it back to the states safely and soundly!

Ed

Cold and rainy. We even had the heating on last week.