Welcome to the Epler Effect

Epler Effect
by William Epler

Hello and welcome to the Effect. I wanted to write this column to introduce myself and my site, and show you where I stand on the issues. I was not into politics and world news until recently. I served in Iraq with Bravo Battery 5th Battalion 3rd Artillery. We fell under 17th Brigade based out of Ft. Sill, OK. While stationed in Iraq, we served under 4th Infantry Division just North of Baghdad. In that time our unit guarded the largest ammunition holding area in the Middle East. We conducted patrols, checkpoints, and other operations. The local Iraqis were very grateful and helpful to our effort. I will write in greater detail on my experience in Iraq perhaps at a later time.
Before Iraq I had been stationed in South Korea. I have been to the DMZ and seen North Korea's propaganda. While there I watched the 9-11 attacks on television. It was late at night there and I saw the second plane hit live. It was a moment I will never forget, and I knew the world had just been changed drastically. I had just reenlisted and knew I would be fighting for my country sometime soon, and I was very proud to be a soldier.
My wife and two children asked me to stay home after my return from Iraq. So I reluctantly allowed my active duty service to end. I still feel guilt for leaving Iraq before the job was done. I knew, however, my guilt would be greater if I left my family again. My wife needed me too, and my country allowed me to go home to her. I work in security now, perhaps out of a personal need to help and protect others.
I have never been interested in politics. I especially never saw myself trying to start into journalism and create an online news resource. Up until my tour of duty in Iraq I would have identified myself as a liberal leaning moderate. I was an eco-fanatic, hated the rich, and in school I was anti-war. Ironic that I would later join the Army and fight in Iraq. Experience and maturity tempered my fanatic views. Becoming the head of a household and leader of soldiers made me wiser. It was when I returned from Iraq that pushed me to become involved in politics. I saw CNN reporting the war in a very negatively distorted way. There was no balance and nothing was put in context. Then there was the irresponsible reporting of the Abu-Ghraib prison scandal. The media continually, but subtly, disrespected our troops and continues to do so.
I am always prepared to see both sides of every story. I enjoy heated, intelligent debate and challenge anyone to discuss the issues. Many of my views are centrist, but I am increasingly conservative as I age and wisen. There will be no simple-minded rhetoric on my site, only facts and insightful commentary. Do not be afraid to speak up if you disagree. I post various articles from several sources on this blog, and while I agree with many of them I do not neccessarily agree with all of them. I only post things that are interesting and have something useful to say. I will try to write my own articles more often, but as it is I am often pressed for time.
Enjoy this blog while you can. In the near future I plan to create a much more substantial website with more features. It will be called the EplerEffect.com, but I am only in the early stages of talks with a designer.
I hope you enjoy reading the many fine articles and editorials on this blog and I encourage you to visit the sources and feel free to click on the many links throughout the posts. I am recruiting guest columnists, and would be delighted to accept a piece from anyone. Just Email your column to SGT_W_E@yahoo.com and I will review and consider it for publication. The only criteria I will enforce is that it has to be relevant and factual. In no way do you have to agree with my views, that would be boring. Thank you for visiting, I hope I can become a favorite stop when you are browsing the internet. Remember, my opinion and yours is worthless if it differs from the facts.