“they’re good—but they’re still Iraqis.”

[sabra]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14591714/site/newsweek/page/2/

<snip>

One private grumbles about the war being purely ideological, while another jokes about how long it took him to get used to “all that man-kissing,” traditional Arab greetings. While most of the Americans admit they enjoy learning the ways of their foreign counterparts, one U.S. soldier gripes about their fatalistic sensibilities—“the word ‘hope’ doesn’t exist in the military,’” he says. Another soldier privately says that “they’re good—but they’re still Iraqis.”

...

Forty-five minutes, four enemy RPGs, two wounded Iraqi soldiers, and a handful of Brandon outbursts later, the mission is coming to a close. The Iraqi soldiers are making steady ground up the street, and have caught six suspected insurgents and killed four enemy combatants. Most of the Iraqi soldiers are beaming with pride. But not U.S. Sgt. William Thomas Fraas. He points across the square to two Iraqi soldiers who are kicking a detainee in the rear as they lead him off towards their humvee. “I have to go over there and tell them to stop beating him up,” says Fraas. “That’s lucky,” says one American private. “The Iraqi Army usually kills them.” He explains the Americans’ dilemma: “We can’t witness them beating them up. We can’t fight the war for them. We’ve got to tell them what to do—they’re like a bunch of kids.”

[Ian David]

1. White Man's Burden is reborn?

"We’ve got to tell them what to do—they’re like a bunch of kids.”

[shadowknows69]

2. I've heard very similar things said in my taxi

from more than a couple soldiers. I never said much in return but the words always disgusted me. Iraq had a trained army. We disbanded it so they could all go join resistance groups. I think if we had kept that structure there would have been a capable standing Iraqi Army 2 years ago. If that was the actual plan which of course it isn't. Endless instability means endless war. Yee Haw!!! Freedom's on the march!!!

[sabra]

3. wait a second you drive a taxi, you must be a terrarist...

according to Sen. Burns that is :sarcasm:

In regards to your comments, there were so many things the US could have done better. Number one of course was not attack at all.

[shadowknows69]

4. I fully expect to be called a terraist someday Sabra

but I like to think of myself as a Journalist first. Check my journal.

[Javaman]

5. "jokes about how long it took him to get used to “all that man-kissing,”

I guess he forgot about this...



or this...



or especially this...

[shadowknows69]

6. This coming from a soldier?

And I apologize to any of our DU soldiers this doesn't apply to but I don't think I've ever seen more homoerotic play in my life as I have from some of the GI's in my cab. No "man kissing" to be sure but the word play is worthy of gay porn some nights. Band of....Brothers? I kid because I love. No haters please.